Court Cases

     I am so impressed as I read through all the cases defending the rights of the disabled.  To see how far we have come in so amazing.  I am so grateful for the bravery of the people who put so much on the line to fight for these rights.  It must have taken so much courage to loose on the state level but go ahead and take it to the next level of the Supreme Court.  I am specifically impressed with the PARC vs. Pennsylvania case.  The parents wanted what was best for their child and were willing to do whatever was necessary to get that for them.  This case led to FAPE (Free and Appropriate Public Education)  Later, IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Act) ensured children with disabilities that they would have what they needed in their public education.  These cases have set a precedence for everyone else to benefit from.  It is so comforting that parents and children have rights.  To fight for someone else who cannot fight for themselves, is truly Christlike.

Resources available for students and teachers with disabilities

I am impressed with the programs outlined to help students reach their academic potential.  The resources available are extensive and helpful.  In the classroom, there are so many who don't quite qualify for formal interventions but do suffer from minor deficiencies.  It is the responsibility of the classroom teacher to monitor these students carefully and pass on data in order for them to not "fall through the cracks".  In the school my children attend, we have a school where the administration and the teachers are vigilant in addressing the needs of the students.  Many schools in troubled areas are so overwhelmed with problems it is hard for them to consistently monitor the progress of individual students.  I feel grateful for the place we live.

Individualized Education Plan

Here are some of my thoughts about the IEP video we watched.

Many professionals are brought together to help the child learn the best way they can

IEP means Individualized Education Plan.

Parents’ right and protections were discussed.

Early notification of the parent is important in order to get the best possible outcome with the child.

Discussion with the family about progress levels and goals is crucial.

Important to share the goals and fears of the family.  I, however, wished that the parents would have been given the opportunity to share these things themselves instead of having the discussion leader read their thoughts with them sitting there.  They could have said the things they felt to be most important themselves.

Giving the family time to prepare for the IEP and give them the opportunity to participate in the agenda is important.

Review of last year’s goal is this is an ongoing IEP.

Team members provide information in order to identify strengths and needs.

Social and emotional needs are included.

It is important for the parents and all the professionals there to understand the role of each member of the team.

It is important to give the parents a copy of the reports that have been made about the student PRIOR to the meeting in order to allow for the most information is shared.

Design goals and then the interventions needed to meet the goals.

Help the student to expand communication opportunities in order to understand their needs better.

The teachers work together to accomplish the goals.

It is good to check with the parents for understanding and agreement during the presentation.

It is important to let the parents know what resources are available to them.

I noticed that during the example IEP when the father was asked to speak, he wasn’t able to really explain his thought.  Instead, he said one thing and then was lectured for several minutes.  The teacher/discussion leaders should have allowed more time for him to speak and then asked follow up questions of the father in order to fully understand what he was trying to say.  It seemed they wanted to let him know that they were doing things correctly more than they wanted to hear what his thoughts were.

The most important thing in an IEP is the student’s needs

 Other than the lack of parent involvement, I felt this was a really good example of an IEP meeting.  I feel like I learned more about the process and all the professional who are involved in making the IEP successful.

The troubling truth in Serbia

I was so moved by the videos we watched this week.  I am so troubled that parents could give their children up really knowing they weren’t going to be taken care of.  It is troubling that the rest of the world can know that things like this can happen and cannot do anything to stop it.  One thing I thought of is that if many countries got together to save these children, something could be done.  The children could be taken from Serbia to countries that would care for these children. 

In her talk, Carrying Others to the Pool of Bethesda, Ann E. Tanner says, “There are many in the church today who “ “wait by the pool of Bethesda,” hoping to be carried into the healing waters. Who will help them?”  As a church and as a people, I wonder, what can we do to help these children?

She goes on to say, “The Savior provided five distinctive examples during His visit to the pool that can serve as guidelines to us in ministering to the sick and afflicted:  1. He looked for one in need.  2. He listened without criticism.  3. He often gave anonymously. 4. He understood and acknowledged grief or disease.  5. He followed up with the sufferer.”

There are ways we can help those immediately around us, and as we reach out, I believe the spirit can guide us to know what our mission is.  We can offer love and support to those who are in positions to help those we cannot.