Understanding Special Education and Your Child

HELP YOUR CHILD IN SPECIAL EDUCATION SUCCEED IN SCHOOL!

What qualifies your child for special education? What disabilities are under the umbrella of Special Education? How can you understand what your child in special education needs to be successful?

If you cannot answer these question but you KNOW your child is under the umbrella of Special Education because you have attended IEP meetings; then you need to get back in touch with your child and his or her education!

The disabilities that apply to Special Education are the following: (Your child has to have one of the following disabilities to qualify for special education):

Autism	Deaf-Blindness	Emotional Disability
Developmental Delay (3-9yr.)	Hearing Impairment	Intellectual Disability
Multiple Disabilities	Speech-Language Impairment	Orthopedic Impairment
Other Health Impairment	Specific Learning Disability	Traumatic Brain Injury
Visual Impairment

          ?How could you be having a happier child?

1. Focus on the small steps. Your child in special education already feels like he is climbing up hill.

2. Focus on encouraging your child to PERSEVER... for the long term...to stick with assignments they struggle with.. Leave grades out of it! Don't stress about the grades being all A's or B's! 
3. Ask yourself, "What does my child need from me most?"
4. Know that children with ADD or ADHD cannot block out the background noises or the distractions in the classroom because that part of their brain does not "work". Be More Patient, Use more Visuals, Use timers and create Checklists for assignments.
5. Ask your child often, "What did you do that you were most proud of today?" Help him or her to start recognizing their own accomplishment! 

Teachers cannot do it alone- Parents cannot do it alone- Your child cannot do it alone