Question

Question for the IEP moms with kiddos in elementary. Have you felt like your child has recieved the support that's listed in the IEP since we started e-learning? I know this is new, and I've been trying to be understanding of that, but after a few weeks I don't feel like my first grader is getting what he should from his IEP. He has not met with a single one of his special teachers. And only gets more assignments to complete on top of what hes getting from his teacher. And frankly its stressing me out. E-Learning is difficult, and adding additional assignments with very little support from the specialists is not helping. I have his IEP review Thursday. I plan to ask about having virtual meetings with his speech and reading specialist, but is there anything else I should be thinking about? Also note I'm in no way knocking the teachers, this is new and difficult to manage for everyone involved. I know everyone is doing their best.  

Answer 1

I feel the same way. My son has a learning disability in reading/writing and the majority of the instructions for all of his classes (except 1) are written. It’s very hard for him, and requires a lot of support from me and I have 3 other kids at home and work full time. He also has extra assignments from support teachers which makes it even harder to manage it all. He hasn’t even been able to do those cuz the others take so long.  

Comments

@efflux I'm running into similar issues. The reading and writing is difficult. I can read to him, but that doesn't help him advance there either so I hate doing that for the actual reading assignments (which he would normally do during his one on one time). Good luck!  

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Mine can read just fine, it’s the retaining information from 5 paragraphs of instructions for 8 classes + per day. Ugh. Good luck to you as well! Hang in there!  

Answer 2

I am a special needs consultant (not selling) and most of my clients feel the same way. Did they give you an Individualized Remote Learning plan? Happy to PM with you to think of ideas on how to best support ❤️ just reach out to me

Comments

Emi Schoene they havent. We've recieved additional assignments that I believe are supposed to make up for what he normally receives in his IEP but I honestly feel lost. I want to figure out what to ask in his IEP meeting this week.  

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@freshet11 can you give me more info (what services he has, how many hours he is supposed to receive per IEP, etc). You can pm me if you'd rather

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@freshet11 for example and one of my clients sees his reading specialist daily, OT once per week, ST twice per week, Psych once per week, and case manager/LBS twice per week by zoom/hangout. He is in Naperville

Answer 3

Some people are requesting more zoom/Google Hangouts meetings with the teachers to meet their learning plans. Possibly something to ask for.  

Comments

@citronellal134 thanks! That's my plan in his meeting this week

Answer 4

I can only speak from a therapist position right now, but keep in mind your support staff have 20-50 kids that they are providing "individual" institution to help with 6 different grade levels (2-4 different Classroom teachers each grade). If you are feeling overwhelmed please reach out to your case manager. On top of the work we are doing we are also home schooling our children and there are just not enough hours in a day. I know I have worked out different systems with several kids that fit better with their new learning environments.  

Comments

@changeful I definitely understand the struggle. I'm working full time from home as well. But, I'm not a speech therapist either and I just don't know how to help my son in areas like that.  

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@freshet11 trust me this is new territory for all of us. I have never ever ever had to explain to someone how to do my job, without being able to show first. Or them not having the background knowledge I have. We are very appreciative of all our parents that are trying. But definitely reach out to your case manager. I found I was sending materials that required a printer to families that don't have a printer. Or maybe something to be done on the computer, but families only have a phone and it wasn't compatible or too small. Or some families with essential workers and the high school sibling has been care giver/teacher while being a student. It's mind blowing the lives we are living right now. I just want you to know your team is very appreciative of what you are doing. And the next 5 weeks we are going to continue to learn and change.  

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@changeful thank you for the kind words and ideas, I've already ran into the printer issue (I don't have one) and we got online materials. I'll reach out to the case manager and see what the options are

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@freshet11 we are here for you and feel your stress, we just haven't done this before and the learning curve is steep and so very different for every family, while still having to stay in compliance to federal laws.  

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@changeful federal laws are annoying right now  but I get it. I'm planning to ask what's considered to be compliant for now too. If the specialists aren't allowed to meet with students something feels broken to me. I know everyone is doing their best, knowing what to ask for helps!  

Answer 5

During this time as a parent it’s our time to sit down and help our child. My son has had an IEP since kindergarten. I know how he learns and I know the supports the teachers use so I been doing that. I give him his breaks and do one assignment at a time. I also work from home so it’s not like I’m just doing nothing but We’ve figured it out and we get his work done.  

Answer 6

I have a kiddo in 6th grade with an IEP and he has not met with his speech teacher at all. Before it was “mandatory” he was sent a packet of activities to do for speech, but that was it. Since moving into the e-learning a few weeks ago he hasn’t gotten anything else. His regular teachers are hit or miss if they are providing additional support for his IEP. Some are great, some not so much.  

Answer 7

ETA: I cannot figure out how to share the post/article here. I'll post it and tag you in it. I hope it helps. I'm going to try and share an article that I shared with my families/clients. It may be helpful. You are approaching the situation from a good, collaborative place with a focus on meeting your child's unique needs. You've got this!  

Comments

@exciseman16 thank you!  

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You can try to PM me too

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@freshet11 I *think* I shared the link below. It's not pretty, (no thumbnail), but it should take you to the article as well as some info about our IEP/504 help and (if you'd like it) a FREE IEP checklist that we give to families before meetings.  

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@exciseman16 thank you!  

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@freshet11 You are welcome. You can drop me a message on my FB page ACES Education or via email @ jane_marcoux@togetherwelearnbetter. com and I would be happy to send you the IEP checklist! ;-) <3

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@exciseman16 that was a super helpful article! Thank you! I'll email you for the checklist, that will help for Thursday! Thank you for your help

Answer 8

This is interesting for me because I have my own child with an IEP (a senior in hs) and I’m also a special education teacher for 5/6th grade and have been desperately trying to find ways to best meet my student’s needs through distance learning. I think that it’s totally acceptable for you to expect both his speech and reading specialist to meet with him through video. The state gave very specific guidelines about how much work we should be giving our students and for first grade you kiddo should only have between 45-90 minutes total per day of work with a duration of 5-10 minutes per activity and that includes any work he’d get from the speech teacher and reading specialist. You could ask for the work to be modified for him if there is too much. Or if it’s too difficult, it can also be modified for it to be accessible to him. There are chrome extensions that will read aloud to the student (that you’d have to download) but if that’s something that would help your child, I’d ask about what they would recommend and also for them to send you a video on how to use that extension. If pictures/visuals will help, that’s something that can be include into his online work. I spend a lot of my time making videos for various students showing them what to do for the assignment and modifying the assignment so it is accessible to them. I feel like I’m writing too much, but you definitely should bring up your concerns and tell them you’re stressed and see what they can do to better support you and your child.  

Comments

@stomy thank you for all the information! This is really helpful. I know he may not get all of the minutes that are listed in his IEP with each teacher, but getting zero minutes doesnt feel right either. We are spending 2-3 hours a day trying to complete work and still not finishing everything. I'll look for the chrome extension because that would help a lot too

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@freshet11 oh no! I’m sorry that he’s spending so much time each day on school stuff, that has to be frustrating for both of you. And, all of his related service teachers in his IEP should have at the least be checking in with you weekly. I wish you the best on Thursday and really hope the school can provide you with a better solution than what’s happening now.  

Answer 9

My daughter is in 8th grade, but I can tell you that I signed a form to allow her therapists and social worker to contact her. If you never got presented that form - they can’t have any contact. My thought was they would do online meetings with her. That’s wrong. The district has not given permission for the therapists, social workers, etc to meet up with kids online. That would result in 1:1 meet ups and they are trying to avoid that for safety reasons. Each of those people has joined one of her google classrooms or created their own and she gets an assignment or check in from them. That’s what is allowed at this point. Keep in mind that this is new to everyone. I am a 1:1 aide in the district and can’t have contact with my student. My daughters aide can’t have contact with her. It’s unprecedented times and we all have to adapt to make this work.  

Comments

@bret24857 I signed the form. Thanks for the info about what's being allowed, that's part of what my question was as well. I guess I'm confused by that ruling and why they cant meet though. Also I do recognize this is new, hence the end of my post  

Answer 10

We are in sandwich and I absolutely feel supported by our teachers! We are having the beat experience possible and my sons teachers even have texted me and emailed me and called me.  

Comments

@tola165 same. They check in often!  

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@gujranwala I love the team! Mrs Hernandez is awesome <3

Answer 11

I feel the same way. I feel so bad for our IEP students right now. They are in need of extra help. Even my daughter is saying she'd rather be in school (hates school) because she needs more help.  

Comments

@chess2983 my son has said that too. I know this is hard for everyone and I just pray school starts in August!  

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@freshet11 I really hope so too. I keep telling myself only one more month. But I'm afraid of her falling further behind. She's going into 6th grade in the fall and I'm not sure if she'll be ready now.  

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@chess2983 I'm scared of that too. He was already behind but really hitting a stride in March and I feel so sad for him now. Hes completely discouraged and I want to do everything I can to help him the rest if the year at this point. Especially since its not like I can get private lessons either right now!  

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@freshet11 I think and am hopeful that the school district recognizes this with our kids when they return next year. I'm really hoping my daughter doesn't fall so behind that she needs to go back to an IEP school. I would love to see her in 6th grade and being a middle schooler. In my situation it's harder because I'm still working full time and unable to give her my full attention with her school work. I expressed that to her teachers too and recommended one on ones with her IEP teacher. I wish I could hire a private tutor, but that can be pricey!  

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@chess2983 I'm feeling the same (though my son is younger. ) I'm working from home, but working full time too and honestly have chosen games in the evenings over school work sometimes. I wish insurance would cover things like a tutor, I agree its pricey!  

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@freshet11 I've done the same thing! I'd rather enjoy my time with my kids than fighting about school work. They are going through a hard time too, like most of us. There was a number the school district sent out in an email. It's I think call4calm. My daughter has it saved just in case she wants to talk to someone other than me. She has expressed herself to me and how she's feeling overwhelmed and anxious. But I still gave her the option if she needs to speak with a professional.  

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@chess2983 thank you for sharing! I'll keep that in mind too

Answer 12

Have you reached out to the teachers?  

Comments

@territoriality I've talked with them a bit but have a meeting on Thursday. I'm trying to figure out what to actually ask for too.  

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@freshet11 I think it’s good that you have the meeting coming up and definitely ask! I’ve suggested work for my kids, all with IEPs but have told parents to reach out if they need help. I’ve heard from no one.  

Answer 13

My sons team has gone above and beyond during this e-learning. videos everyday, high levels of communication, zoom and facebook lives, interactive apps that make the assignments more fun for my son. every member of his team is engaged and offering all that they can. i’m very very pleased thus far!  

Comments

We love that they are using the seesaw app, and boom cards! I would ask for those!  

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@sloe9446 these are what we are using!  

Answer 14

My little guy is getting reading support, but let me tell you: it’s not hugely beneficial over the computer. Lag time in audio, teacher can’t position for visual. Honestly, the best thing at this age is to read to them, with them, for them. Read read read. My high schooler with IEP is actually flourishing in the quieter home environment. Her teachers have gone above and beyond. She would probably benefit from long term learning this way.  

Answer 15

I will start off by saying a few things: 1) I did not read everyone’s responses so I apologize if I am repeating 2) I am a teacher outside of SD308 3) I personally do not have a child with an IEP The Special Ed teacher that works with my students made them their own packet with reading writing and math activities because they are significantly below (reading at a 3rd grade level as 6th graders). For those few that are close to grade level she has set up Zoom classes to read and discuss articles together and then they answer the questions independently. Any work that is assigned from the SpEd teacher is IN PLACE of an assignment I have given. For example, my class needs to answer a worksheet with 10 questions on it, but I know my IEP kids only need to do the first 5. So this might be something that you can ask for when you meet this week. Good Luck!  

Comments

@auger723 we cannot use zoom in our district. Only google hangouts and google classroom. Our spec kids get some services, but if your child was on the line or watch list then those specialists can only use the same timeframe as your classroom teacher. For example if classroom teacher has 1 hour on Mon, then the reading specialist can use that same hour. But then your child can’t be two places at once. Also what if that specialist has 5 first graders and they can only all be seen in that one hour. It’s not optimal. This post is not said with any malice towards the school, I was just letting you know what the rules are in our district.  

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No worries! I did preface that I don’t teach in district and completely understand districts do things differently and as a teacher you have to abide by those guidelines/rules and I don’t know all the rules/guidelines that SpEd needs to follow. I do know Google Hangouts is the same concept as Zoom, and I do know my kids are using that with their teachers.  

Answer 16

From ISBE’s website about amount of work/minutes per day.  

Comments

I have seen this, and am wondering, what if it is taking my son longer than this to complete the assignment for a certain class? This is what we struggle with. He needs to complete it, but it takes him longer than the recommended time. So the whole day goes for so much longer than the recommended. Other students might not have that issue because they don’t have to reread the instructions, triple check they didn’t miss a step or a piece, etc.  

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@efflux I am a first grade teacher and I would modify his work. I would reduce the number of problems or prioritize assignments. I would not want the work to overwhelm or frustrate my students. That will only backfire in the long run.  

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He is in 6th grade. So do I reach out to the teachers and let them know the situation? The thing is, sometimes it goes fine, others (when there are more detailed instructions, etc) it doesn’t. It’s so difficult to figure out what to ask for!  

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@efflux my day goes into 6 pm for my kids because I’m giving them tons of breaks

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@efflux I would for sure reach out and share your concerns and the amount of time he is spending on work every day. For me as a teacher there is a lot to be said for social-emotional learning and health. As a mom and teacher I would want a plan in place to support his learning and for everyone to be on the same page.  

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@efflux I would reach out. My 6th grader was having trouble too and the guidance counselor called us the next day to help us out.  

Answer 17

There has been a lot of back and forth regarding the legality of providing 1:1 services electronically and via video conferencing. There have been debates about privacy and safety so Sped is behind everyone else in development of a system. Definitely ask what the plan is, if there is one, but know that they’re probably trying to figure out what they are and aren’t allowed to do.  

Comments

@rao2 this! Lots of information and mixed messages coming around

Answer 18

You’re speaking of 308 right? Read ISBE document stating refs and remote learning plan. I’m a Speech Path in 203 we created remote learning plans to memick the IEP

Answer 19

I have a kindergartener with an IEP for speech and have a week long assignment to work on each week. We only did it 2 out of 5 days last week so I asked to keep the same assignment this week. Her IEP is simple though. I also have a 5th grader with a more extensive IEP and we have struggled a bit. He was doing his regular mainstream work with 1 on 1 help from me, then later in the day getting extra math assignments with no due dates listed. We chose to print them out and just do them as we have time. Some days that happens the same day, others it just doesn't. Most if it has been repeat work of what he got from his main teacher and he rolls his eyes. He feels its unfair to get extra but it's really only taking him 10 minutes more so I'm having him do it when we have time. The reading part of his IEP is more extensive and we have had 1 meeting with me sitting with him so I could understand what she was talking about and several emails. I was completely overwhelmed before that meeting last week. Now I understand the basics and feel much better about it all. He will obviously not have his minutes met but I am okay with that at this time. There are not enough hours in the day. His reading teacher provided us with practice to do for 10 minutes a day and it's perfect. If we don't get to it one day we add 5 minutes the next 2 days to make it up. or we don't, its up to us. I will say, I expressed how overwhelming it all was for us at home trying to get through it all because he can't do it independently like most of his classmates and was met with a ton of sympathy as well as a hint of what it is like to be a teacher during these times. I don't envy the teachers at all right now. His main teacher has been soooo supportive of just doing what we can and keeping up on mental health. I could easily message her and say a special ed teacher gave a similar assignment so we are choosing that one and skipping this one and I know it would be completely fine. So maybe that would be a good starting point for you. Message the main teacher and ask them to only assign when the special ed teacher does not for a subject. I think the hardest part is the teachers load it all into classroom for the whole class and then the special teachers go in and add stuff. If we don't speak up on it being overwhelming, they don't know we are struggling.  

Answer 20

The District and the state has put out guidelines regarding how to meet the minutes in an IEP. I would recommend discussing the specific interventions with the classroom teacher/case manager. ISBE has said that crisis learning is not expected to be equivalent to in person learning.  

Answer 21

My IEP daughter is 6 and her aid spends one hour a day with her. Her speech and social worker meet with her weekly as well.  

Comments

@captive well that is not how I meant it.  

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Matter of fact I can’t even imagine saying it that way.  

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Gotcha it's hard to covey tone over the internet. It just sounded like you were invalidating my experience and post because I'm in 204. When OP just asked for experiences with E Learning and kids with IEPs nothing about district. Especially when your said I'm happy your student is doing well in 204, but most mom's are 308 which implies my experience doesn't matter. I get that maybe you didn't mean it that way but that's how it can sound.  

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@captive nope I love 204. We originally modeled 308 after 204, but not so much anymore. We should have continued with that model but it is pricey.  

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@emerick15 yeah the taxes are not so fun that's why I'm moving in a few weeks. I have a feeling I'm going to miss the district a lot though