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Perspectives For Parents:
Advice & Support from Parents & Caregivers
My child struggles with reading. How can I help?
April 13, 2021
Many children have trouble with reading and literacy. But there are ways to help support them! Here are some tips on how to help a child struggling with reading.
Read moreWhy are reading and literacy so important?
March 29, 2021
Reading is an important building block in preparing our children for life. Adults with high school level literacy skills get better jobs and are healthier than those with lower skills. It may surprise you to learn how well you need to read to take on the challenges of daily life. The importance of reading may…
Read moreWhat Can I Do to Help if My Child is Struggling in School?
March 3, 2021
There are many reasons why a child may struggle in school. The good news is that there are ways to help!
Read moreHow can I make remote school easier for my child (and me!)?
January 21, 2021
I’m not going to ask how remote school is going for your family because I see you sitting with your phone in the one quiet corner of the house taking a minute to yourself. I get it. I’d share my secret stash of chocolate if I could. This isn’t easy to manage.
Read moreWondering if you made the right decision about back-to-school in 2020? Bring cookies.
September 2, 2020
I want to talk to you about back to school. (Hang on one second while I stuff cookies in my face. This is my new coping strategy for how to deal with back to school feelings and I don’t have time to judge myself about it right now so let’s just let that part be.)
Read moreHow to prepare for back to school in 2020 (whatever it looks like)
July 23, 2020
I think we can all agree that when it comes to planning for our kids going back to school this year, we don’t know a lot. And what we do know changes. Even though we are all living in the same pandemic world right now, we are in different places geographically and we have different…
Read moreHandling Work from Home and Home Schooling
April 2, 2020
With the current health crisis, a lot of us parents are in new waters, working from home and schooling our children at the same time. Problem is, I’m already drowning. And will bet many of you feel the same.
Read moreIs Your Child Struggling in School?
September 25, 2019
At Exceptional Lives, we’ve been working hard to answer the questions you are asking. We know how hard it can be to navigate school—socially, academically and emotionally. If your child is struggling in school and you’re not sure what to do, here is a place to start:
Read moreAnother year, another IEP meeting
August 21, 2019
Every year, as our kids get older, the summer break feels different. Whether your kids have been learning in structured camps or unstructured exploration, at the beach, mountains or city streets, they are different now than they were when the last school year ended. Change and lack of structure can be hard, but think about…
Read moreWhat is ‘Scaffolding’ in Teaching?: A Simple Explanation
August 6, 2019
Learning is a process and a dance and research has shown us time and time again that it doesn’t happen unless we recognize and support one another; student, teacher and parent.
Read moreLetter to Mica’s Class
July 12, 2019
This morning I read this beautiful note from a fellow mom to her son’s classmates. We work so hard to find the right placement, the right supports, the right accommodations (working on IEP goals? Read more here!).
Read moreUnwritten IEP Goals
July 12, 2019
Yesterday was report card day. As I overheard the neighbors talking about it, I felt a rising pit in my stomach. There are some days you just can’t take on any more. Some days you just don’t want to think about disability or challenges.
Read moreDoes My Child Qualify for Special Education Services?a
April 2, 2019
States have their own processes for figuring out how to access special education. In Massachusetts and Louisiana, an evaluation and eligibility meeting will help decide if your child is eligible. Depending on what kind of support your child needs, the school will work with you to create either an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or a 504…
Read moreWhat is Disproportionality in Special Education?
January 23, 2019
Disproportionality is the term used to describe the overrepresentation of a minority group in special education programs. The backdrop to the IEP meetings, consent forms, and evaluations is a law called the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This law sets forth the rights of students with disabilities in the public education system in…
Read moreTracking Your Child’s Progress in 2019
January 9, 2019
The new year is a good time to check in on your child’s progress and see how they’ve been doing over the past few months.Take a look at these tips we have shared in the past to make sure you stay organized and prepared as you track your child’s improvements against their goals in…
Read moreSpecial Education Placements for My Child
January 4, 2019
The winter break from school can be a time to observe and experience our children in a new way. There are probably times of overstimulation or exhaustion. There are hopefully moments of quiet connection or discovery of something new. As we send our students back to the classroom (good luck, teachers!), this mid-year moment is…
Read moreWhat information goes into an IEP?
November 27, 2018
Knowing how to fill in each section of an IEP can be confusing. We’ve broken it down to help you understand how to write things like a vision statement or to identify measurable goals. Remember, an IEP is a document that the parent and school create together. The form may vary between states, but…
Read moreMeet Your Child’s IEP Team
August 21, 2018
Who will be sitting around the table at your child’s IEP team meeting? We've created this list to help you know who to expect to see as you head into your first IEP meetings of the year.Under federal law, the IEP team must consist of: A general education teacher who works with the studentA…
Read moreWho Can I Bring to an IEP Meeting?
July 25, 2018
Showing up for an IEP meeting at your child’s school can feel intimidating, especially if you are the only person at the table who isn’t part of the school staff. Keep in mind that as the parent, you are an important part of the IEP team and you are also an expert in your…
Read more3 Tips for Tracking Your Child’s Progress at School
April 20, 2018
Tracking your child’s improvement against his goals involves comparing old and new documents, as well as understanding the reports you receive from the teacher and school. Here are some tips to keep organized and prepared. 1. Organize your child’s progress reportsIn many states, the school district must send parents or guardians written progress reports…
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