#LDchat Archive
Understood holds this weekly Twitter chat that aims to keep the momentum going and raise awareness of learning and attention issues. Follow along with hashtag #LDCHAT and follow users @understoodchats & @understoodorg. Experts will be available to answer your questions and concerns and share resources from Understood.org.
Wednesday June 15, 2016
Welcome to today’s LD Chat! This is Dan with the Understood team.
We’re excited to be talking about with our co-host, Understood expert and author .
We’ll also be giving away signed copies of Amanda’s book. We’ll DM you during or right after this chat if you’re chosen.
I'm happy to be here. Looking forward to talking special education with all of you.
First time joining your chat
Hi there and Happy Hump Day from Needham, MA!
So great having you! Welcome.
. I'm glad you could join us today, Gloria! Do you have kids w/learning & attention issues or work with them?
Thanks for joining! How are things in Needham?
Hi, ! Always happy to "see" you.
We’ll use a Q1, Q2… format for questions. Please use the A1, A2… format for answers.
excited to participate in your today!
Feeling like summer today—sunny w/temps in the 80s!
Glad to have you, Angela!
Hi Angela! How are things in Iowa?
First question coming up...
I have a 5th grader and 9th grader with disabilities#LDchat
Q1: How would you describe and the difference between an and 504 plan to a person who is not familiar?
Hi . Kerri, 25, ADHD/learning issues dx'ed at 21. Trying tchat.io for the first time in awhile.
Hi . Kerri, 25, ADHD/learning issues dx'ed at 21. Trying tchat.io for the first time in awhile.
Hey All! Enjoying summer vacay with my kiddos here in Cedar Rapids, Iowa!
Summer in full swing in Oklahoma Heat index already over 100 today, hi all
A1: (1/2) Special ed. is services, programs & instruction designed to meet unique needs of a student w/a disability.
A1: (2/2) That can mean changes to how he learns, what he learns & supports needed to be successful. (i.e. speech, OT, etc.)
Hi, Amanda! Glad you are hosting :)
A1. IEPs exist in the Canadian system, 504 plans do not ;).
A1. (To my understanding 504 covers any disability, ed related or not, inc. health issues)
Summer in full swing in Oklahoma Heat index already over 100 today, hi all
A1: Typically, SpEd services will include specialized instruction, accommodations, and maybe modifications.
Is there an equivalent in Canada? What's the name for an IEP there?
No problem! Glad to have you, Peter!
Hi Kerri! So glad you're here!
A1: IEP=Individualized Education Program. It's a plan that outlines your child's services & supports & is under special ed law.
A1: 504 plan=A plan that outlines services/supports in general ed classroom. No specialized inst. & under civil rights law
Individualized instruction, accommondations, modifications as determined by parent and school-based team AND LEGAL protects
That's interesting! I didn't realize that
An IEP is an IEP. Also have modified education plans or something like that. Unsure if there's a 504 equivalent
describe is a specific set of educ goals w specific instructional practices by BOTH Gen. & SPED Ts
The chart on IEPs vs 504 Plans is very comprehensive: https://t.co/m8Kj3fLTcH Bet you were about to post it yourself!
Yes! Thanks for mentioning the legal protections. Due process rights are key in the IEP process.
Yes, specifically under the Americans with Disabilities Act
504 vs. IEP is something I thankfully have not needed to learn about as our son was in a special school from K to 12.
.'s point about parent involvement is also really impt. Parents are part of the IEP decision-making team.
Q2: For parents, what can be the most challenging parts of the process, and special education in general?
I usually say helps my kids get what they need to learn. An comes w/ more protections than 504. https://t.co/PctRg6a03C
Q1: How would you describe and the difference between an and 504 plan to a person who is not familiar?
Listening to the rain in Minnesota.
A1: a 504 is a guideline of accommodations & specific needs 4 a Ss. Do any Ss out there have a 504 & an IEP?
A2: Even as a parent, I know there's a lot of jargon & processes to learn! It can be overwhelming to know where to start.
I am struggling with getting a one-on-one for my son. I need advice????
I'm listening to a helicopter!
A2: There are more "chefs" in the proverbial kitchen, and sometimes the soup boils over.
Aw - so sweet! Miss seeing you. Will you be in DC this summer?
I've met many parents who want the school to take the lead. Bad idea
A2: Learning the lingo can definitely be challenging—it's like a whole new language with lots of acronyms!
Not any more, he's in college :-). But he had one every year.
Hi, Tina! Thanks for joining!
. DrG_SSWKS16 A2: And parents doesn't always know they can ask for an evaluation & are equal participants in the process.
A2 Convincing bureaucrats that mainstreaming is not appropriate for your child.
Does he access disability services in college? Curious. :)
A2: Finding adequate supports can also be challenging, both within and outside of school—unsure of where to go and what to ask for.
A2 Convincing people that yes, you CAN be
What problems would a 1 on 1 solve for him?
Yes indeed. Thames Academy last year, Mitchell college in the fall. We can chat by e-mail if you like
A2 it is a complex world, unless you know rights it can be hard. Need better communication with schools & parents.
A2: The vast majority of SpEd interactions have been positive, but I have been witness to some awful situations.
How do you think a 1:1 would benefit him? Write down your thoughts and have that convo with the IEP team.
A2 SIbling issues can be hard too, although maybe that's for another chat!
A2 the rules r obscure. Not all schools help you understand process. The amount of time it takes to get IEP. Time away from work
Is there a typical "bad" situation you've found? And how would you suggest overcoming/preventing it?
Definitely a whole topic of its own. (I have 3 kids, sibling issues are definitely at play)
Yep - sadly, my daughter had both for a while. We asked the school to correct it.
That would be a good chat (hint, hint).
Ty Amanda. I'm sharing this :-)
When working in DC, I had a few pretty neg. exp. with district attorneys trying to revoke services or change LRE.
Can you elaborate on what you the obscurities? Let's use collective knowledge to help others.
Q3: Least restrictive environment (LRE) is part of IDEA. What does this mean for kids w/ learning and attention issues?
I always support the best interest of the child, and rarely did I lose an argument about services.
A3 I think it's a very abused term; abused by bureaucrats to save money by not serving the best interests of the child
I like to approach school as an *equal* partner + take a leadership role in meetings
(1/2) LRE means kids w/learning issues should learn w/their peers as much as possible.
(2/2) Majority of kids w/learning disabilities spend >80% of their day in gen. ed. classroom! https://t.co/Fx3qyfE818
A3 I've always said that my goal for my kid is a mainstream ADULTHOOD.
A4 is complex seems to mean always mainstream to most schools but that is not always best for child pin our experience
A3 LRE is often used to give the least EXPENSIVE environment
A3: To 's point, though, LRE is what's best for an individual child, not by diagnosis.
A3: I support LRE, but that needs to be balanced and consented to. 1 person on the team cannot make the decision by themselves.
A3: That a student who has an LD should have the opportunity to be educated with traditional learner peers as much as possible.
Isn't that an LEE? ;) I hear you, though. We need to be looking at child's best interests.
A2: Making sure that your individual child's needs, opinions and voice are heard
Great question, Amanda. Sometimes state laws can make federal regs more confusing for parents
Ideally. Work with a peer mentor as well.
I think it's an issue where good intentions went astray.
Agreed. Pre-determination isn't consensus. And Ps need to feel confident they have allies & support in speaking up
A3: For some kids, supports & instr. can be done in the classroom. That's known as "push-in" services instead of "pull-out."
A3: LRE also can benefit the non-Sped kids. Access to diversity makes everyone more tolerant.
A3. My (Canadian, kinesiologist) interpretation of "least restrictive" would be letting kids move around while they learn ;D :P.
Parents need to feel welcome as part of the IEP team
I agree but sometimes it ends up a power struggle w school mo matter what you do
A3 At LDA in Orlando, there was a keynote on how mainstreaming is done WAY too much and how data is misinterpreted
It was the result of our Texas law that puts kids who get OG under 504.
We also need to clearly define inclusion vs. mainstreaming for LRE.
But it needs to be done right. Mainstreaming is NOT a solution.
That talk was by Douglas Fuchs. I highly recommend it if you can download it.
may even mean homeschool or Montessori. Especially for a child with extreme sensory issues.
A3 Amen 2 that! co-taught classrooms R NOT always LRE 4 kids who need significant remediation
https://t.co/3nHH6I02w2
A3 LRE is often used to give the least EXPENSIVE environment
Just a reminder we'll be giving away some signed copies of 's book. Check your DMs after this chat to see if you won.
But TX law states if kid's already under - decisions under too
Q4: What kinds of accommodations help students in the general education classroom?
I think so many SPED teachers would love to co-teach in the Gen Ed. Classroom, but due to the IEP caseloads......
It's a power struggle when there are competing goals instead of shared goals.
A4: (1/5) Tough Q! Different accommodations work for diff. kids. 4 main types: Presentation, response, setting: & timing.
A4: (2/5) Presentation= change in the way instructions & information is presented to student. Ex: audio books
Yes, it's a risk. But worth it. Let school see you know your stuff. They can learn from you
this becomes difficult w scheduling w multiple Gen. Educ teachers
I would have loved to do that when I was teaching. Collaboration=learning for all.
A4: (3/5) Response= change in way S does work or tests. Ex: Video book report instead of a paper.
A4: (4/5) Setting=change in the environment. Ex: Small group testing.
A4: (5/5) Timing = Change to how much time allow or taking breaks. Ex: More time for a test.
We're willing to accommodate for that. ;)
interesting! Did u find that OG instruction was happening in all educ. settings?
A4. Didn't have accommodations until university, but seating near front, alt format reading, volunteer note taking, typing notes...
Interesting point, . How do we solve that?
A4 Well, for me, way back when, I did NOT need more time. I was always first done. I needed a bodyguard
A4: When genEd teachers work WITH me, great things happen behind the scenes.
Schools tangle "policies" with State & Fed Law it's a lot to sort out & working parents have limited time to do so
Exactly! Start by getting on same page. leadership can help with this. https://t.co/LKLU9MlG67
It's a power struggle when there are competing goals instead of shared goals.
A4: Diff things for diff students—option to move around while learning and/or use standing desk, assistive technology, 1-to-1 aid.
I was able to Co-teach for 1 hour a couple years ago & SO many positive things about that experience!
A4: Flexibility and inherent differentiation can meet many accommodation needs.
A4 Also, I should hav been allowed to type from a very early age. I spell fine. But handwriting? OY
Q5: How do accommodations differ from modifications, and can modifications be used in the general ed classroom?
I dont see how when #1 school goal is always Do as little as possible due to costs.
Assistive technology is a growing-in-use accommodation.
A5: Modifications change the standard of learning. They can be done in the GenEd class, but on an extremely limited basis.
Yes! Network in your town/city, state, across the country whatever 2get accurate info2 advocate 4 your child https://t.co/FotzeVmbR8
Yep! Networking with other parents is key when your child has special needs. They're a treasure trove of wisdom.
A5 I try not to get too hung up on exact terminology; help the kid the ways you can help the kid
Sadly, No! But profess is happening - that's the good news!
A5: Accommodations change HOW you learn, modifications change WHAT you learn.
THIS! RT : A5 I try not to get too hung up on exact terminology; help the kid the ways you can help the kid
A5 Cont: In general, kids w/ LD shouldn't receive mod. I see it more w/ ID, and more significant disabilities.
A4 accommodation are not a standard list w/checked boxes. Need to be looked at often to see what works&what changes can help improve
Q4 the ones that are consistently implemented vs just existing on paper!!!
Just a couple of minutes left. Any final thoughts?
I kindly disagree. It may feel that way. But can greatly help shift that mentality.
I find it interesting that across many states it is difficult 4 Ss to get the.....
Advocating 4 a child w/ LD can B a fulltime job! Parents needs support!
https://t.co/Qrd2HSg0o5
Schools tangle "policies" with State & Fed Law it's a lot to sort out & working parents have limited time to do so
Likewise. I use voice to text a lot
A5: (1/2) Tricky depending on grade, as traditional learners may not understand why accommodations/modifications are being made.
A5: (2/2) Many LDs are invisible.
Every kid (sped or not) modifies and accomodates his/her own education. Teach them how to do it best
