Just like that, summer is over. It’s time to get back into the rhythm of early mornings, packing lunches, doing homework, driving to activities, and, lest we forget, ARD meetings. If you’re a special needs mama, this one is for you.
ARD is the acronym for “Admission, review, and dismissal of special education services.”
Knowing when and how to request services, work with educators, and sometimes call in reinforcements can be an overwhelming task, as with most things for our children. If this sounds relevant to you, I encourage you to read on and reach out.
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Requesting Special Education Services
Thinking back 10 years ago when my oldest started kinder, I had no idea what I would be in for in the realm of school. It went something like this: Near daily phone calls, constant marks in his folder, time spent finding the right therapist, and plenty of anxiety for us both.
We made it through several years of elementary school before requesting special education services. Having had wonderful teachers and administration during those years, we didn’t feel it necessary. However, the onslaught of feedback from new teachers led us to request services. At times, advocating for the proper accommodations felt like a full-time job.
There are two options for evaluation: An outside evaluation completed by a psychologist, or a request for the school to complete the evaluation. If you would like the school to proceed, please note there are specific guidelines to getting the evaluation scheduled and completed, as well as getting that initial ARD meeting set up.
I chose to consult an outside psychologist, who specialized in evaluating school-aged children. Disclaimer: My older boys are double covered when it comes to health insurance. Otherwise, testing in this capacity might have been out of financial reach for us.
Relationships with Educators
One of the most crucial pieces to any part of parenting is the relationships we have with those who support our children day in and day out. We’ve had experiences with all types of people, from a Trunchbull-type to a real life Miss Honey. I’ll take the latter any day of the week. Learning to successfully navigate these relationships has proven to be the most important piece of special education.
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As our kiddos get older and move from elementary to middle school and beyond, the dynamics among educators will most certainly shift. Nonetheless, keeping strong and respectful relationships with the entire team of educators is key to the success of the student. As moms, we know our children better than anyone else, and teachers need our honest input in order to guide them through their days at school.
When relationships come effortlessly, it’s wonderful. Some relationships require extra care, though. Personalities might not jive, situations cause tensions to be high, and seeing eye-to-eye on the best solution isn’t always the case. In these situations, I’ve found it helpful to have icebreaker conversations. Get to know each other as adults and form bonds. Remembering that both of you, parent and educator, are working toward a common goal helps to bolster these relationships.
One of the most helpful things for me is to always let the education team know that I’m available via email, phone call, or text any time. As a working mom of three, time management is critical, too. A collaborative approach, one that doesn’t feel rigid by imposed rules and regulations goes a long way. Get to know your kids’ teachers, be respectful of their positions, and be willing to have crucial conversations. If all else fails, hire an education advocate to help both sides through the process.
>> RELATED READ :: IEPs, 504s, & How to Advocate for Your Kid’s Learning Differences <<
Education Advocates
Did you know there are individuals out there who specialize in writing special education plans? This might take a little bit of searching, but it’s worth it. Hiring an expert in the field of special education is one of the best investments I have ever made.
I am not well-versed in the rules and regulations of special education, but our advocate is. I don’t know how to effectively write an individualized education plan (IEP), but our advocate does. If there is one piece of advice I wish someone had given me, it would be to hire an advocate early in the process and include him or her in every meeting.
Back to school and back to advocating doesn’t have to be filled with anxiety and dread. We can build successful relationships, and collaborate on the best solution for each student. No two children are alike, and some might require more attention than others. This fact shouldn’t hinder the relationship between parents and educators, but bring us closer together for ultimate success.
