Accommodations in the Classroom...

I was talking to a parent a few days ago & she was telling me that she didn't really know what to ask for concerning accommodations for her son in the IEP meeting.. So, I thought this would be a great topic for one of our blogs. Here is a list of some accommodations that might be good to ask for concerning your child..This is just a list of some, not all, accommodations that might help your child in the classroom.

Look over them & pick the ones that would help your child the most & ask for them in a written letter form while attending the IEP meeting or mail it certified to them before hand, or give it to them while attending the meeting. If the educators refuse to do any of your request, then ask for a "Prior Written Notice" letter. This is a letter that states why they are refusing to accommodate your child in the classroom.

For Example: If you go into the IEP meeting & ask for a calculator for your son to use in the classroom. You strongly believe that this calculator could really help your son, but the educators refuse to agree. Then you say," Since we agree to disagree, then I would like a "Prior Written Notice" letter stating why you disagree with my request."

REMEMBER: The public school system is considered "Paper Driven". Which means, they have to have paper documents for everything. Which again means, if they are supposed to do something, It must be in writing before they will actually do it.

So, it may be worth your while to write down as many of the accommodations that might help your child & give that list in a written letter form to your child's teachers, the district's Student Services Director, & make sure you keep a copy for yourself before or during the IEP meeting.

If they refuse to do your accommodations that you suggested, Then you ask for the "Prior Written Notice" letter. This is a letter for your records just incase later on you need to call Protection & Advocacy or any other attorney.

Example of a Written Letter form letter:
If you feel that your child is having trouble in Math & you want to give him/her the accommodation of having a calculator in his/her Math class.

Then write a letter like this: Example:

Dear Ms( Teacher), Ms( Principal) and so on,

It is my concern that ( your child's name) is having trouble in Math & due to his/her diagnoses of (your child's diagnoses), I believe that he/she would benefit from using a calculator during the Math drills in Math class. This will help him/her by, blah blah blah.etc...

Sincerely,
Mr.or Ms. So & So

I hope this helps you in receiving the accommodations that your child needs in order for them to succeed. Please double click on the accommodation photos below in order to make them larger for viewing.