I’ve never been one to go out of my way to eat organic. I’m acutely aware that some things are better than others when it comes to putting them into your body. But if you put two fruits or vegetables in front of me, I’ll always pick the one that looks, smells, and feels the best, regardless of how it was grown. Because I also know that the better one will taste, well, better. If the choicest one happens to be organic, all the better.

With that said, as I read some of the facts, certain things really stood out as alarming. Like, “The U.S. uses 1.2 billion pounds of pesticides a year, but only .01 percent reach the bugs. The rest contaminates our food, air, and water.” If that doesn’t make you rethink what you eat, I don’t know what will.

Maybe pesticides in food won’t kill me, I’m pretty sure they won’t, but they may have an impact on my kids, and their kids down the road. Eating a well-balanced diet has always been important, especially for children.

Proper nutrition impacts physical health, but more importantly for growing kids, it impacts brain health and functioning. Eating right can bring about more energy and influence positive results in school and concentration.

I’ll let you be the judge of the rest of the info. You can find the full version at Daily Infographic.

Fruits, Vegetables, and Pesticides – Infographic is a post from: Easy IEP Help

Related IEP posts:

1. Chocolate Milk in Schools – Infographic
2. Small Changes Lead To Success
3. How Stress Affects College Students – Infographic
4. Top 10 List of Most Controversial Books of 2009 – Infographic
5. Characteristics or Early Signs of Autism Infographic

While visiting classes at back-to-school night, I noticed book covers from the summer reading list attached to the walls in one of the classrooms. Underneath each book was a sheet of paper with round, colored stickers in red, yellow and green. Turns out, all the students attached stickers to each book to signify if they liked them or not. Green for Yes, Yellow for So-So, and Red for No.

Now that’s my kind of polling. It’s somewhat anonymous, yet visually appealing and easy for everybody to understand. It also gets 100% participation and is effective at communicating the desired result – what do the students REALLY think. A bunch of green dots means the book was a hit. Too many reds and it’s time to find a new book for next summer’s list.

Keeping things anonymous is the way most kids prefer to have it in a classroom. Unless you’re the kid that knows all the answers, in which case, your hand is always up and waving furiously.

Kids with learning disabilities almost always like to keep things anonymous, especially when it comes to answering questions. While some are hyperactive most of the day, there’s always the fear of that awkward moment…

As we progress out of the analog, old-school way of doing things, and transition into the digital age, polling students will become more anonymous. And effective. Teachers will be able to ask a question and get the results of the class immediately. Some schools can already do this, and it promises to be good for all students, even those who struggle.

For now, it’s not a reality for most of the country. But there are things teachers can do to lighten the load, and embarrassment, for students who struggle in school. Richard Lavoie is the King of understanding how Processing affects kids with learning disabilities and offers some great tips in his F.A.T. City Workshop video.

Teachers know which students are having trouble and for the most part are accommodating. Seating at the front of the classroom helps, but having a code for LD students is a great idea. It can be something simple like waving their hand when they know, and WANT to answer a question or be called on for input. Ty to work these out with each teacher in the IEP.

Sometimes polling publicly in the classroom can’t be avoided. At least not yet. But it’s coming soon and many students will welcome it.

Anonymously Polling Students in the Classroom is a post from: Easy IEP Help

Related IEP posts:

1. Accurate Thinking For Parents, Teachers, and Students – Or, What Was on the School Answering Machine
2. How Stress Affects College Students – Infographic
3. Starting the School Year With an IEP
4. Accommodations and Modifications

World Teachers’ Day
World Teachers’ Day has been celebrated since 1994 and it honors the teaching profession and promotes international teaching standards.

This year’s theme is: “Teachers for gender equality.”

While most teachers are women, there is still a problem of inequality. This year it is hoped that all teachers will unite and urge governments and policymakers to stand committed to bringing equal gender rights to classrooms around the world.

More information can be found at: www.5oct.org

Walk to School Day
“Hike it. Bike it. I like it!” is the slogan for this year’s Walk to School Day.

The National Center for Safe Routes to School coordinates the U.S. Walk to School Day and promotes worldwide participation for families and students to walk or bike to school during the month of October.

Earlier in the year I wrote about walking to school with info about finding out if your neighborhood or school has a high Walk Score.

Walking to school promotes exercise, healthy living, and reduces pollution and gasoline use around the world. It may not be possible for everybody to walk or bike to school all month but it’s great to recognize the importance of getting healthy and doing a small part to help everybody.

For more information visit: www.5oct.org

World Teachers’ Day 2011 and Walk to School Day 2011 is a post from: Easy IEP Help

Related IEP posts:

1. Does Your School Have a High Walk Score?
2. Accurate Thinking For Parents, Teachers, and Students – Or, What Was on the School Answering Machine
3. Starting the School Year With an IEP
4. It’s IEP Season – Time for IEP Meetings
5. Easy IEP Help News on May 26, 2011

I went to Eugene, Oregon, with Dr. Valerie Maxwell, Founder of the Foundation for Learning Development (FLD), The ADDSOI Center, The Learning Gym, and daughter of the Founder of SOI Systems. If you don’t know Dr. Maxwell, you should. She travels the world working with families of LD children and helping school systems incorporate better learning disabilities efficiencies. I serve on the board of the FLD with her and she’s worked with my kids for more than a decade, so I’ve had quite a bit of time to learn from her myself.

One of the main goals of the trip to Eugene was to spend time with Dr. Robert Meeker of SOI Systems, to gain a better understanding of the SOI Certified Learning program. Over the course of the four days, we had six to eight meetings about education and the learning process in school. I lost track of the exact count, as my head was filled not only with the content, but the possibilities of the impact SOI Certified Learning could have on education. Like I said, there was a lot to process. And I promise to expand on the details of Certified Learning over time. I liken it to a bridge that helps teachers and students travel from struggles to success in school.

While the subject of our meetings was the main goal, I came away with much more. In the mornings, we discussed Kindergarten through Grade 2 and where the early years fit into education, not only with learning disabled children, but with ALL children, the struggles they have learning, and the difficulties teachers have finding successful methods for educating them.

The mid-afternoons were spent, either in Philanthropic meetings in Eugene, or poking around Eugene and the University of Oregon campus. My new state motto is: Oregon – It’s All About the Food! Anyway, the time spent in Eugene and around campus put me in touch with the higher learning side of education, specifically colleges and universities.

I have a soft spot for college, and being in that environment again was an amazing flashback to my own days in school. The energy and passion of the college students was rejuvenating and filled me with a sense of optimism I haven’t felt in years. Next time you get bummed out about the state of economy, the infighting and childishness of Congress, or the lack of jobs, spend a day at a university. The atmosphere is almost immune to the whole shabang.

Don’t tell today’s college students there aren’t any jobs. At least not in Eugene, Oregon. They’ll work on farms, at farmer’s markets, grow their own produce, and do anything they can to sustain a living and earn enough for a week or two exploring the Yucatan Peninsula when not in school. Truly inspiring.

The flight up to Eugene provided some foreshadowing of the days to come. Our seatmate, Laura, just happened to be a Junior at the University on her way to Fall classes. She heard us talking about smartboards in school and how they can be used for immediate polling of data, allowing teachers to track the effectiveness of their lectures. She actually schooled “us” on how they function based on her use of them in college classes. She also provided a glimpse into the optimistic world of today’s college student that I would discover over the next few days.

Late afternoons were spent back at SOI Headquarters absorbing more lessons with Dr. Meeker, and continued into the evening during dinner prepared from fresh ingredients grown right on the grounds. I told you, Oregon is all about the food.

I’m not sure that my brain has assembled a complete takeaway of the trip yet. That could take weeks of pouring over notes and refining my analysis. My expectations for the trip were wide open, even though I knew we’d be examining the Certified Learning program, which is specifically targeted to kids in the K – 2 age range.

Kindergarten is a critical age for schoolchildren, and I now understand that better than before the trip. My anecdotal experience with educating all students had me sitting at grade 3 as the pivot point. And it still is. But Dr. Meeker, and some data from No Child Left Behind, have taught me that for kids to reach the golden years of college, we need to address the critical years of K through 2. The solutions are available. We just need to teach the schools and educators about them. More to come…

From Kindergarten to College With a Learning Disability is a post from: Easy IEP Help

Related IEP posts:

1. Learning Disability Testing
2. How Stress Affects College Students – Infographic
3. Learning Disability Resources
4. Learning Disability Statistics
5. History of Learning Disability

This video is from the TV show, Arthur, which my kids loved when they were younger. The episode does a great job of explaining what Aspergers is to kids in a way they can understand.

I’d like to see more of this in TV shows targeted to children. Come to think of it, we could use more of it in mainstream TV targeted to adults too. The show “Parenthood” has quite a following of LD parents, as well as non-LD parents, who follow along with Max who has Asperger’s Syndrome.

Television is such a powerful medium when it comes to getting messages across to the mainstream public. The disability movement in America got its start after World War II but didn’t get full attention until the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990.

Disabilities have mostly been absent from television but hopefully that will change on October 27, 2011, when PBS airs, “Lives Worth Living,” a documentary about the disability movement.

By educating parents, teachers, and children about the various differences we all have, it might make for a better society, or at the very least, a better “informed” society where we have empathy for everyone. We have nothing to lose when all of us better understand learning disabilities, and everything to gain.

I also think the schools should spend part of a day teaching kids about learning disabilities that they will no doubt encounter with their peers. Teach them about what an IEP is and why some kids have them. Almost all schools spend some time teaching sex education. The debate isn’t over teaching sex education although there is a huge debate over what “kind” should be taught. Nonetheless, it is an important part of life that everyone will face at some point. The same is true of disabilities.

Not all people have a disability, but the fact is, there are 50 million Americans with some type of disability. Isn’t it worth it to spend part of one day out of twelve grades of school teaching students about it? Understanding why some people have a difficult time with social skills or concentration might solve a few problems or maybe even avert some bullying, now and later in life.

Kids begin life as question marks and exit as exclamation points. They are curious creatures, smart, and willing to learn. What they learn while they’re young, whether from school, television, parents or each other will stay with them for the rest of their lives. We spend so much time teaching to the tests. Isn’t there a little room in the day to teach them about life too?

The Aspergers video from Arthur is just one example of how we can fit life lessons into the daily life of children in a way that is entertaining, yet educational at the same time. TV gets a bad rap but it isn’t always all bad.

Teaching Kids About Aspergers and Other Disabilities is a post from: Easy IEP Help

Related IEP posts:

1. How Processing Affects Kids With Learning Disabilities
2. Understanding Learning Disabilities
3. Help Schools, Teachers and Parents Understand Learning Disabilities
4. Chocolate Math – Fun Trick for Teaching Math
5. Are Learning Disabilities Common?

Depending one which side of the message you sit (teachers and schools or parents), you might be cheering or jeering, maybe a little of both.

Anyway, the story is that the parents were so upset they sued the school.

On my good days, I try to look at all the evidence and see things from BOTH sides by using accurate thinking and uncovering “the facts.” Being a parent, you learn this can be your best friend. So when I saw this video I just laughed. I had looked at both sides. But I didn’t yet have the facts.

I thought this would make a juicy post to get things going today so I did a little research to get more details. Because I didn’t “doubt” the message was fake, I never thought of checking Snopes first.

I spend a lot of time tracking things down on Snopes, especially during an election year. The more outrageous things sound, the less true they usually are, so accurate thinking comes in handy. It turns out, Snopes had the facts about this message that was originally attached to Pacific Palisades High School in California. It was fake for that school too. If you want to read the facts about this school answering machine message you can find them here: www.snopes.com

This brings me back to an important point about accurate thinking. At back to school night we got a chance to meet all the teachers and hear their requirements and expectations for the new school year. This is important for parents to attend because you get to hear “their” side of the story. If you don’t attend, you’ll only hear your child’s side of the story. I’m not saying our children will ever lie to us about school and homework – at least not always.

But what the teacher “tells” them at the beginning of the year, and what they actually “hear” might not be the same thing. With the distractions of seeing friends for the first time in months, a little over-stimulation, confusion about new surroundings, and a touch of a learning disability, the full message might get scrambled during the delivery. I take notes, pictures and video of every classroom and teacher I visit because I can’t remember it all myself.

Having all the facts about what is actually required of your child for the school year will help as the year progresses. And when your child says they don’t have any homework because the teacher never assigns any, you can check your own notes to see what the truth is. Taking pics of the board or overhead will make your job easier at home. Just show them to your child. It works for me.

Don’t take everything you hear or read as truth no matter who is saying it until you hear both sides. This is true for politicians, teachers, other parents, other kids, telemarketers, car salesmen, or even your own kids. Quite a few parents were talking about this very idea at school. The kids say one thing but the teacher says another. Get both stories before taking sides.

Now, I’m certainly not saying everything we hear is a lie or that everything we hear should be scrutinized. That’s ridiculous. But hearing both sides and getting all the facts on the important things will make our thinking more accurate and better prepare all of us for school and life.

Now that we have the facts about the video we can all laugh at it because it is pretty funny.

Accurate Thinking For Parents, Teachers, and Students – Or, What Was on the School Answering Machine is a post from: Easy IEP Help

Related IEP posts:

1. Help Schools, Teachers and Parents Understand Learning Disabilities
2. World Teachers’ Day 2011 and Walk to School Day 2011
3. Starting the School Year With an IEP
4. Some Say Parents Are To Blame For Lack Of Good Education
5. Mindfulness Can Help With Attention in School

I used to leave little notes on napkins when I’d pack a lunchbox or send snacks to school with the kids. Leaving lunchbox notes on bananas is much more fun.

The easiest way is to use a toothpick and very lightly trace letters or draw pictures on the skin of a banana. Don’t scrape hard or deep, just start writing and you’ll see the letters form. After a while the letters will turn brown. The banana under the skin won’t be bruised and you’ll get your message across.

It’s probably best to do this the night before when the kids are asleep and they won’t see you doing it. When they open their lunch the next day they’ll see your banana notes.

I’ve seen more than a few articles for banana notes written with a Biro pen and that’s up next for testing. For now, a toothpick works great and the kids actually like it.

While you’re at it, try writing the weekly spelling words on bananas, or better yet, have the kids write them on bananas. They’ll get practice writing the words and they’ll see them again when they eat them. It might be a great way to improve their spelling. Talk about eating your words.

Lunchbox Ideas – Banana Notes is a post from: Easy IEP Help

Related IEP posts:

1. Signs of a Learning Disability

It’s stressful enough for most families, but if your child has an IEP and struggles in school, things can take much longer. Kids with learning disabilities do well with structure and calm, not so well with unfamiliar territory and new routines.

As parents, we need to stay calm, cool and collected, as tough as it might be. If our kids see us staying calm, and believe me they’re watching, it will transfer to them. It might only help a little, but it goes a long way.

One thing that many parents forget is that whatever was included in the IEP for last year transfers to the new school year. Just because it’s a new school, new grade level, and new teachers, everything is still in place until it is changed at the next IEP.

If the IEP states front row seating, or extra time for assignments and homework, it is still available. Many parents new to an IEP either forget, or don’t even know it works this way. If your IEP month is March every year, all Accommodations and Modifications remain in place from March to March, regardless of the teacher or school. If moving from elementary to middle school, things don’t change even though it’s a new school.

Another tricky area is staying on top of the IEP Goals and Objectives. Goals are what the student will accomplish from one IEP to the next. The Goals don’t end when the school year ends. The same is true for Objectives. Objectives are simply subsets of the overall Goals and should have a date for meeting each one.

Hopefully, most of us have kept the IEP in a place we can find it for review at the beginning of the school year. Now is a great time to review what should be provided and see where we are in relation to Goals and Objectives and Accommodations and Modifications.

If your child uses assistive devices or any tools that help them in school such as an Alpha Smart, CoWriter, WriteOutLoud, etc., they probably turned them in at the end of the year. Make sure you let the teachers know you need those back. Most of the time you simply sign them out and promise to take care of them until the end of the year. If you’re lucky, a resource teacher will have everything ready to go. If not, make sure to ask.

Back to School Night is usually scheduled in the beginning of the year. Make sure you read through the IEP before attending and take a copy with you. If possible, prepare to arrive early or stay late to discuss any concerns with the teachers pertaining to the IEP.

In my personal experience, having an IEP near the beginning of the year works best. Most schools schedule IEP Season in the Spring, but by that time it’s too late to review and discuss problems as the year is almost over. Having an IEP Meeting in October gives the teacher and student “most” of the year to work together focusing on what was written in the IEP. Having last year’s teacher write an IEP for next year’s teacher never worked well for us so we had it changed.

Guess what? You can change it. You can also schedule a meeting at ANY time of the year if needed. Meetings regarding school concerns don’t have to take place only once a year at a pre-determined IEP time. You won’t be able to schedule a meeting “tomorrow” but usually scheduling one in a week or two will work for everyone.

The beginning of the school year is always a hectic time of the year for families with an IEP. But many times it can be great to start fresh with a whole new set of surroundings. Kids mature quite a bit over the summer, and Fall is an awesome time to embrace the change with a positive attitude. Good Luck this year!

Starting the School Year With an IEP is a post from: Easy IEP Help

Related IEP posts:

1. It’s IEP Season – Time for IEP Meetings
2. Easy IEP Help News on January 29, 2011
3. Writing IEP’s and IEP Annual Goals
4. Should I Sign The IEP?
5. IEP Goals and Objectives for Reading

Banning soda from schools seemed a bit more reasonable than banning chocolate milk but one has to wonder what’s next? Will fruit be gone because it has too much sugar?

Being an infographic junkie, I was happy to find this one outlining the Facts About Chocolate Milk in Schools.

We’re making great strides across the board on nutrition and this infographic shows that chocolate milk has 38% less sugar than it did five years ago. Way to go milk! If we can keep inching forward with food and nutrition, our kids will reap the benefits.

Next, we need to find a way to help them be more active, but I haven’t found that infographic yet. Stay tuned…

For more info on this infographic visit: DailyInfographic.com

Chocolate Milk in Schools – Infographic is a post from: Easy IEP Help

Related IEP posts:

1. Fruits, Vegetables, and Pesticides – Infographic
2. How Stress Affects College Students – Infographic
3. Top 10 List of Most Controversial Books of 2009 – Infographic
4. Small Changes Lead To Success
5. Chocolate Math – Fun Trick for Teaching Math

To see a larger version of this infographic visit: dailyinfographic.com

Provided by: Online College Classes

How Stress Affects College Students – Infographic is a post from: Easy IEP Help

Related IEP posts:

1. Chocolate Milk in Schools – Infographic
2. Top 10 List of Most Controversial Books of 2009 – Infographic
3. Fruits, Vegetables, and Pesticides – Infographic
4. Anonymously Polling Students in the Classroom
5. From Kindergarten to College With a Learning Disability

Habits are created by repeating the same action over and over until it becomes a natural thing to do without thinking. The repetition creates an action, or path in the brain, that is subconsciously followed. Like a path in a field, the more use or repetition a habit receives, the deeper and wider the path becomes ingrained in the brain.

I once heard it takes 28 repetitions to make or break a habit. I don’t know if that’s true but many agree that habits are usually created or changed within a few weeks of repeating the action.

Most habits are created more easily than they can be broken because once the pathway of the habit is set in the brain it must be replaced with a new or different pathway. If you fold a piece of paper and make a crease, it is very easy to make another fold in the same place. Removing the fold is much more difficult.

Athletes and musicians hone their craft by repeating the same actions until they become proficient at the task. Creating routines makes tasks easier to follow with better efficiency and accuracy.

Getting kids to create good habits may take a little work but the results can help them with school and daily life. Regularly brushing teeth, saying “Thank You,” reading, doing homework, not forgetting homework, writing neatly – the list goes on.

How do you create Good Habits or replace Bad Habits?

1. Understand what habit needs to be created or replaced. Once habits are formed they live in the subconscious and it is unlikely the person knows they have a bad habit.

2. Make a conscious effort to create or replace a habit. In the beginning it is important to think about the habit and repeat it often. The first few days the habit should be repeated as many times as possible if forming a new one. At least three times a day might work. If correcting a bad habit use a signifier as a reminder. An example would be to stop biting fingernails. Paint the nails red (for girls) or tie a string around the finger (for boys) so that it stands out.

3. Keep the concentration high on the action. Think about it and repeat it often. Resist any temptation to repeat a bad habit. Resistence will help create a strong pathway in the brain.

4. Continue the action for at least two weeks without fail. If it’s a difficult habit to make or break it may take a month, but concentration and repetition will drive it home in the brain until it is rooted in the subconscious.

Once a good habit has been created or a bad one eliminated, find others to work on. Creating good habits isn’t that hard but they make life easier. The subconscious is a powerful weapon for living life on auto-pilot and becoming more efficient.

How to Break Bad Habits and Create Good Habits is a post from: Easy IEP Help

No related posts.

August 3, 2011
- Here are some good tips and useful accommodations from Wrightslaw to consider for children with ADHD when preparing an IEP.

Easy IEP Help News on August 3, 2011 is a post from: Easy IEP Help

Related IEP posts:

1. Easy IEP Help News on August 7, 2010
2. Easy IEP Help News on August 16, 2010
3. Easy IEP Help News on February 5, 2011
4. Easy IEP Help News on August 26, 2010
5. Easy IEP Help News on March 29, 2011

Anyway, I received a really nice email back in May from Ryan & Rachel who are expecting their first child. By now they may have already had the baby and if so, my sincerest belated Congratulations!

They said they were shopping for baby cribs and wondered if I had seen a recall on “ducduc Cribs,” which I had not. For those in the market for a new crib, here’s the link to the recall:
www.ConsumerAffairs.com/recalls04/2011/ducduc-cribs-recalled.html

For more recalls from Consumer Affairs visit:
www.ConsumerAffairs.com/recalls/recalls.htm

When my oldest daughter was born, it was early in 1993. I had a Prodigy account and an AOL account. Most of the time was spent chatting and checking the weather. By the end of that year there were 623 websites worldwide. Woo-hoo! Not a whole lot to do but it didn’t matter, it was revolutionary.

By the middle of 1994 when I started learning how to build websites the number of sites had “ballooned” to around 2700. Things were getting really interesting. We now had the Amazing FishCam, Yahoo, Lycos, and one of the first websites I ever created for my daughter, Madison’s World (it wasn’t much of a website and was only updated once in 1996 so I had to visit it to see if it was still up…it is).

Fast-forward to today and what we see doesn’t look anything like it did less than 15 years ago. Today, we get real-time reporting of everything that happens on the planet. Follow the right Twitter feed and you can almost hear about an earthquake before the shockwaves hit your house.

Most of the time this is really great stuff, especially for parents and parents-to-be. Need medical advice? Google it. Want to know where your kids are right now? Ping them via text, email, Twitter, Facebook…

As parents, we worry about everything that can happen to our children. Sometimes we worry so much we lose sleep over it, wondering if they’re doing okay in school, if they have issues with bullies, if it’s safe for them to bike or walk to school without an adult, are they eating the right kinds of food. And for some, do they have learning difficulties that cause struggles in school.

But today, we have the internet and with it comes access to information and resources that previously took hours or days to find. And that brings a slice of sanity and relief to all the parents who worry so much, but can now find the answer to at least some of their worries and fears.

Just ask Ryan & Rachel. I have no idea how they found my little corner of the web, or even the crib recall link. Probably Google. But I’m grateful they did because it means somebody is reading and sharing valuable information with other parents who might also need it.

That whole, “it takes a village…” idea really does have some merit when it comes to raising kids. Probably two-thirds of what I learned about parenting was through the daily experience of having kids. The other third is divided between the internet and the help and advice from other parents. Share what you know and don’t be afraid to ask when you don’t know.

BTW, for anybody interested in finding out more about other product recalls, visit the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission at:
www.cpsc.gov

Or for a list of all recalls (not including toys) visit:
www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/category/child.html

Child Safety Recalls and The Power of the Internet is a post from: Easy IEP Help

Related IEP posts:

1. KidZui – Web Browser For Children That Provides Safe Internet Use
2. Facebook Privacy – Talk With Your Kids
3. 25 Websites With Free Shipping for the Holidays
4. Should My Child Attend the IEP Meeting?
5. Your Baby Can Read – The Promise of Super Babies

We currently have a rousing debate in this country about how best to educate our children. On one side we have schools and teachers and on the other we have education reformers. It’s difficult to include Congress in the debate at this time.

Certainly parents can be more involved in the education of their children, some more than others, but good parenting only goes so far when it applies to success in the classroom. Some parents take it a step further and homeschool their kids because they understandably feel they can do a better job. I haven’t seen their stats for success but I’ve seen it work well in the limited exposure I’ve had in this area.

I can say for certain that every parent I know wants their children to get a better education than they had, wants their children to have better opportunities than they had, and wants their children to have more career success than they have had in their life. I’m also certain that we can all agree on that.

We must keep in mind though that parents don’t create the curriculum, don’t teach the curriculum, and don’t monitor the effectiveness of the teaching on the curriculum. Schools and teachers do that, among others.

It is also important to note that teachers are trained to teach. They are professionals that get paid to teach and educate children. How many parents (unless they are teachers) have the educational background or the tools to match the credentials that reside in the classroom? The real key to a good education is the effectiveness of the classroom. Does it inspire, lead, and arouse a willingness to learn? The parents are absent from the equation because they are either at work or at home and not in the classroom.

In the article, the author writes:

“Reduced to its simplest terms, the rationale behind the attack on teachers is this: Children born to single, semi-literate, poverty-stricken 16- or 17-year-olds can, with the right teachers, reach the same level of academic skill as children born to parents such as Ben’s and Emma’s (two success stories mentioned in the article). Teachers would love to have such power, but statistics and common sense show that with few exceptions, things don’t work that way.”

Are you sure about that? The success of the KIPP schools would beg to differ. In the book, “Work Hard. Be Nice,” it tells how two overly-determined and hard-working teachers made a difference with children that were born to parents that had none of the advantages of Ben and Emma’s. They replicated their success in KIPP schools around the country. And that’s just KIPP. There are other programs that have proven the right combination of teacher-skill and curriculum can get through to kids at a disadvantage. I won’t even go into “Waiting for Superman,” as it’s now available on DVD for all to see.

I don’t want this to sound like I’m bashing teachers and I also know that the success found by KIPP and others is very difficult to achieve nationwide at every school. It is cost and time prohibitive and requires an insane commitment by the teachers and students. As good as it may be the process doesn’t scale well.

I love teachers and have respect for them and the job they perform. They spend more time with our children every day than most of us do as parents. What they teach them will have a lifelong impact on their lives. We’ve all been through school and know some teachers are great and others not so great. The same goes for parents.

In the end, the key to a good “education” is on the teachers, schools and curriculum. The key to good kids is on the parents. Teachers have had training, have resources, and get paid to teach. Parents have had zero training, and some have zero resources.

What is required in the classroom is beyond the scope of understanding of many parents. What is taught now is not the same as what was taught when the parents were in school. Sure, George Washington has always been the first President, but some parents barely scratched algebra in high school and they probably don’t remember it today. Their kids are being exposed to it in elementary school. Don’t laugh, but there are actually parents that struggle with a computer yet their kids use them every day in school. Many parents are at a major disadvantage on so many levels that there is simply no way they can provide for their children what is necessary for them to thrive, let alone compete in school with kids that have every advantage. How can they be at fault?

The biggest problem I have with the education debate is that almost everybody on either side is only looking at 80% of the kids that are high-functioning children without any form of learning disability. From KIPP to teachers to Congress, absent are the struggles of the families that have special kids that under-perform in school. The parents certainly don’t have the training to help other than a lot of love and a willingness to fight for them because they can’t fight for themselves. Parents of children with learning disabilities spend more time with homework, special programs, and sometimes being the only friend they have because they do whatever it takes. They spend countless hours just to get their children to reach the back of the pack, which for them is success.

Oh how easy it would be if these kids could pull a “C” in all of their classes and only spend two or three hours on homework every night instead of the recommended 20 to 30 minutes.

I know many of these parents and I can safely say they never give up on their kids either. They don’t just spend time helping them get an education – they’ve made it a full-time commitment. Every day and every night.

Some Say Parents Are To Blame For Lack Of Good Education is a post from: Easy IEP Help

Related IEP posts:

1. Help Schools, Teachers and Parents Understand Learning Disabilities
2. Accurate Thinking For Parents, Teachers, and Students – Or, What Was on the School Answering Machine
3. Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
4. Teaching Kids About Aspergers and Other Disabilities
5. Helicopter Parents Lighten Up With a New Book

Yesterday, I heard my daughter laughing uncontrollably downstairs and wondered what was happening. She yelled up that I had to watch a video of two little kids laughing.

Sometimes we agree on videos but a lot of the time there is a generation gap on funny. Still, the truly funny things in the world appeal to everyone.

Have you ever gotten stuck trying to find something you can do with your kids that won’t bore either you or them? Spend 30 minutes watching YouTube together. If you can find videos like this one to watch with them you’ll find that 30 minutes of laughter with your kids will make that generation gap a little more narrow.

Nothing Brightens Your Day Like Kids Laughing is a post from: Easy IEP Help

Related IEP posts:

1. Teaching Kids About Aspergers and Other Disabilities
2. Tips For Getting Kids To Read

Being the parent of a child with learning disabilities can be a lonely existence. You never really understand what it’s like for the kids unless you have a learning disability yourself or have a child that struggles. Because most of the focus and effort of overcoming these challenges is directed at helping the child, there is usually little time or empathy for understanding how it impacts the parents.

Just as special needs children must work harder and longer to complete schoolwork, so must their parents. The same socialization struggles that affect the children are also felt by the parents. And in the same way that children in school form cliques that separate tribes, so do parents.

Parents that don’t understand what it’s like can’t be blamed, because how would they know? Programs to help the children are confined only to those with the need. Parents without LD children don’t attend support groups or do research on the internet to find out why their child acts differently.

But I think we can change this. We can let other parents and schools know what it’s like. It won’t take much time but it might do a world of good. Letting other parents (teachers and schools) know that we exist and how we feel and what our life is like could make them understand that we aren’t really that much different. We just need a little more time, and a little more effort to get things done. A little compassion always helps too.

My proposal is to print out Marianne’s post and read it at a PTA meeting. Or if you prefer, put it in your own words – from your own perspective. Either way, it will educate other parents about the sacrifices that are made by some families at school. It will let them know why we don’t always attend all the meetings. And why it’s important to show a little understanding for some kids at social situations.

A little education is needed for parents just as it is for children. We can’t expect them to know unless we tell them.

Help Schools, Teachers and Parents Understand Learning Disabilities is a post from: Easy IEP Help

Related IEP posts:

1. Accurate Thinking For Parents, Teachers, and Students – Or, What Was on the School Answering Machine
2. Are Learning Disabilities Common?
3. Some Say Parents Are To Blame For Lack Of Good Education
4. Teaching Kids About Aspergers and Other Disabilities
5. Chocolate Milk in Schools – Infographic

Some of these books made sense to be on a “banned books” list in the 50s and maybe 60s but times have changed. Most kids have access to way more controversial content on their phones today than are contained in these literary works.

Personally, I think we should spend more time examining the style, quality, and literary merits of books more than the content, although clearly some content is just plain rubbish. Controversial material can be used as a teaching moment. Kids are pretty sharp today and they don’t want to waste their precious time reading something they don’t like.

On the other hand, if you specifically try to keep kids away from something because it is considered “bad” they will chase after it to see what all the fuss is about. This is true of most kids, today, as well as going decades back in time. It’s human nature.

Today’s infographic illustrates the 10 Most Targeted Books of 2009 as sourced by the American Library Association. Some of these I’ve already read, and like a big kid, I’ll probably try to grab copies of the others. You know, just to see what all the fuss is about.

The Top 10 List of Most Controversial Books of 2009:

1. TTYL, TTFN, L8R, G8R
2. And Tango Makes Three
3. The Perks of Being a Wallflower
4. To Kill a Mockingbird
5. Twilight
6. Catcher in the Rye
7. My Sister’s Keeper
8. The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big, Round Things
9. The Color Purple
10. The Chocolate War

This full-size infographic is available at Daily Infographic here:
dailyinfographic.com/most-targeted-books-infographic

Top 10 List of Most Controversial Books of 2009 – Infographic is a post from: Easy IEP Help

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3. Tips For Getting Kids To Read
4. 25 Websites With Free Shipping for the Holidays
5. Chocolate Milk in Schools – Infographic

May 26, 2011
- The above link is a good article from Tech & Learning outlining some useful iPad Apps for IEPs. We’re just beginning to scratch the surface of the potential for tablets in education. As more developers come on board and work with parents, teachers and learning specialists, we may see a whole new world of help for the children that really need it.

Easy IEP Help News on May 26, 2011 is a post from: Easy IEP Help

Related IEP posts:

1. Easy IEP Help News on February 28, 2011
2. Easy IEP Help News on January 11, 2011
3. Easy IEP Help News on August 3, 2011
4. Easy IEP Help News on February 5, 2011
5. Easy IEP Help News on January 29, 2011

I first heard about Mindfulness at a learning conference years ago and was fascinated by the process and potential for living, or “being,” in the present moment. I’d been practicing it myself for years without knowing it’s name – every night while drinking in a sunset.

Mindfulness shows up everywhere in eastern religions and cultures but is almost a no-show in the west. That is changing now that so many have discovered how the virtues of yoga and meditation can bring peace to a frantic life.

I found it intriguing that a neuroscientist, Dr. Shanida Nataraja, posits that in the western world, people rely on the left hemisphere of the brain too much. When you think about it, he’s right.

The left hemisphere of the brain is logical, analytical, and rational, which focuses on Math, Science, Writing, Language, and Logic. All of these fit squarely in the middle of what we’re teaching in schools, doing at work, and even playing with if you count how much time we spend texting.

The right brain functions in the realm of spatial, visual, non-verbal and abstract thought. Its playground is in activities involving Music, Creativity, Imagination, Dimensional places and Emotional expression. Sorta sounds like the Arts to me and we don’t spend nearly enough time in those areas in school or work let alone play.

Dr. Nataraja is correct in his statement that westerners spend too much time in the left brain by “doing” and not enough time in the right brain by “being.” Hey, we can’t help it, that’s just our way of life. We have bills to pay and homework to do and it all takes time, something we never have enough of in a seemingly short day.

But here’s the rub: all of this “doing” puts our minds in frantic mode and we feel pressured and stressed to get through it all. Our brains have so much to think about, and so many distractions that we never really focus on the task at hand and our minds wander to everything else we forgot to do earlier, or we still need to do later in the day. Instead of focusing our attention on the task at hand, like working, listening to a teacher’s lecture, doing homework, or even driving a car, we live our lives on auto-pilot, haphazardly thinking about too many things at once. The result is inefficiency and stress.

Enter Mindfulness.

I said I wouldn’t get into a formal definition, but my own personal take on it is “being in the moment” or focusing all of your attention on whatever it is you are doing at the time.

I learned how to practice it by using the example of a raisin, but I prefer to practice the Mindfulness of Pizza. You can use anything you want, I just happen to have a pizza fetish so I’ll explain it that way.

Take a slice of pizza with pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms. Focusing all of your attention on the pizza and nothing else, pick it up and truly examine it. How does it feel? Is it hot or just warm? Does it flop and need to be folded or is it rigid and able to be held in one hand? Can you see all of the ingredients or are they buried beneath the cheese? What does it smell like? Can you smell each ingredient? If it simply smells like pizza you aren’t focusing enough. That’s better, now you can smell the pepperoni, and there’s the sausage. If I’ve offended any vegetarians just pretend your pizza has mushrooms, tomatoes, and artichoke hearts.

Now take a bite but don’t eat it yet, just let it sit in your mouth taking in everything. Slowly begin to chew it. Is the crust soft or crunchy? Is it spicy or sweet? Is the cheese greasy? Can you pick out the flavors of each topping? How does it compare to other pizza you’ve eaten? Now swallow it. Is there an after taste? Did anything stick to your teeth?

Did you notice anything about that bite of pizza that you never noticed before? Maybe it was a certain spice used in the sauce. Or the crust was crunchier than you thought before eating it. Focusing all of your attention on the pizza and ONLY the pizza, it makes the experience of eating pizza more enjoyable. You are experiencing it in a way like never before. You are AWARE of the pizza and maybe think more about how it was made or where the ingredients came from. And without even thinking about it, you are probably more relaxed than before this experiment because you put everything else out of your mind. This is Mindfulness.

Certain professionals use Mindfulness in their daily lives without even thinking about it. They just do it. A professional baseball player takes batting practice and his only purpose is to hit a fastball speeding 90 miles per hour directly at him. Without Mindfulness, he would fail. He must be completely centered on only the ball and his bat. He doesn’t hear the other players around him, or his coach. He doesn’t feel the 80-degree sun baking him, and he certainly isn’t thinking about forgetting to pay his car insurance. He is one with the ball. If your son plays baseball, you’ve probably taught him about the same thing at the batting cages. If he can hit the ball, he knows what it’s like to be in that moment.

Teaching kids about Mindfulness is easier than you think. Take note of their state of mind next time they’re playing a video game or watching their favorite TV show. Their entire focus is on the moment. Mindfulness is something they will use the rest of their lives. They already know how to do it. Making them understand what Mindfulness is and how to practice it with everything they do will make them more focused, productive, and hopefully live a happier and more fulfilling life.

Understanding Mindfulness is easy. The hard part is transferring the knowledge into practice that they can use at school while listening to the teacher, or at home when doing homework. This will make them more successful not only in school but in everything they do in life. They will be better at sports, driving the car, or just hanging out with friends and paying attention. When they get really good at it, have them practice it while cleaning their room.

Mindfulness Can Help With Attention in School is a post from: Easy IEP Help

Related IEP posts:

1. Accurate Thinking For Parents, Teachers, and Students – Or, What Was on the School Answering Machine

I think we’re all a little guilty of being too strict with our kids but it’s for their own good, right? Maybe it is, but as the book ponders, it might turn them into adults without confidence or a sense of adventure.

Maybe this is a societal problem in general. Maybe we’ve become to PC or safety conscious and it is stifling independence and creative problem solving. It’s one thing to be safe but are we going too far? When I was a kid, we didn’t wear bike helmets, sit in car seats, or in the back seat of the car for the matter. We walked to school, explored the woods with pocket knives, climbed trees – and I’m still alive and so are all of my friends. A few bumps and scrapes might still be visible after all this time but they’re worn as badges of honor that accompany great stories that have been told many times over the years.

We’ve been permissive enough to allow our children to grow up, solve problems, and be independent while remaining safe. But did we go far enough in either direction? I don’t know. Hopefully Fifty Dangerous Things (You Should Let Your Children Do) will shed some light.

It isn’t easy being a parent, especially a permissive one. The world has become so competitive and it sometimes “feels” like it has become awfully dangerous. With sexual predators, Amber Alerts, kidnappings, bullying, and school shootings, it’s no wonder we as parents have clammed-up.

You feel like time stands still for 17 years and there’s plenty of time to teach your kids about being an adult, living independently and surviving on their own. But it doesn’t sink in that they’ll be leaving until the last semester of high school. That’s when the real panic sets in. Where did the time go? Did I teach them enough? How will they survive without me? Can they make it alone?

And in an instant you feel like a failure for not being a better parent. For not being better at preparing them for life. For coddling them and treating them like children as they grew up right in front of you without noticing the change.

As a parent your gut tells you one thing but common sense and other parents say otherwise. In the end, you have to stick with what feels right for them and throw in a dose of what you went through when you were their age. Hopefully, Fifty Dangerous Things (You Should Let Your Children Do) aren’t so dangerous after all.

Helicopter Parents Lighten Up With a New Book is a post from: Easy IEP Help

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1. Help Schools, Teachers and Parents Understand Learning Disabilities
2. Some Say Parents Are To Blame For Lack Of Good Education
3. KidZui – Web Browser For Children That Provides Safe Internet Use
4. Accurate Thinking For Parents, Teachers, and Students – Or, What Was on the School Answering Machine

At some point parents need to discuss the disability with their child. For some disabilities or children this is easy but for others it may not happen until they are older, and still others may never quite be ready or capable of understanding.

It isn’t imperative that your child is present at all IEPs. But there are a few times when it is recommended. The very last IEP, or the Transition IEP, is probably the most important IEP that a student will attend. This will discuss past and present performance and what will happen as they exit school and transition to college, a technical school, a job that leads to a career, or other post-school path.

Many parents think the very first IEP is a good one to have their child present but I tend to disagree. The first IEP can be confusing and parents should pay full attention to what is going on and ask a lot of questions. Having the child present could add a layer of anxiety and inhibit getting through the necessary discussions and questions. Without having previous experience with an IEP or the IEP Team, there’s no way to know what might happen or how the meeting will progress. Many times the child is very young and won’t understand what is happening anyway.

If all goes well at the first IEP and the entire IEP Team communicates well and things stay calm, the second IEP might be a good one for the child to attend. This gives the team a chance to examine the previous year and get feedback from the student about what worked, what didn’t, and what might help moving forward. It also gives the team a chance to educate the child about the process and why they have an IEP.

If the IEP meetings are working and the team gels, it is probably okay for the student to attend part of any new meetings. But they shouldn’t be present for the entire meeting. Just as certain teachers are only present for their part of the meeting, the same is true of the student. Bring them in for a short time to contribute, then let them return to class.

On the contrary, if your IEPs are rooted in controversy, bickering and arguments, do NOT let your child attend. This should not give you the impression that IEPs are awful or that you will have problems, but it has happened before and some are a completely negative experience. It’s worth noting and should serve as a precaution to keep your child away from it. No matter what goes wrong at the IEP, try to keep things positive when discussing with your child.

Understand that children with disabilities often have difficulties articulating their feelings and can become quite emotional, especially at IEPs. Prepare for breakdowns. Let them have their moment and let them share their thoughts and feelings. The team has seen it before – they get it.

If your child goes through elementary school without ever attending an IEP, they should begin participating at some point in middle school and then more at the high school level. Many times, services change as the child gets older and as they mature they should learn to self-advocate. As they exit school and move out into the world, it’s important for them to understand how and why self-advocacy is crucial. An IEP is great place to begin the process.

When your child does attend the IEP, keep things focused and positive. Let them feel they are making good progress and everybody is looking out for their best interest.

Should My Child Attend the IEP Meeting? is a post from: Easy IEP Help

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Most parents agree that their kids spend way too much time on their phones. Top of the list of teenage phone activity is texting, running into the hundreds per day. Admit it, if we had the capability when we were their age we would have done it too. We’re just in denial because we’re a bit envious.

And most of us spend plenty of time doing it too. We just have other “more important” things to do than to text all day and night. As long as you have an unlimited plan and they’re getting homework done, and a few chores, it’s probably not that big of a deal. Okay, some of you aren’t buying that.

Well, today I was reading a comment somebody posted to a technology article that just happened to mention cell phones and it made me laugh. It’s from a dad who got so fed up with his daughter’s abusive texting he put an end to it altogether. It garnered quite a bit of applause from other parents and a few boos from obviously younger readers. I assume he never looked at the breakdown of the bill until just before taking drastic action. Here’s his comment…

I just took my Daughter’s Smart Phone ( I Phone) and smashed it with a Hammer. Tired of 1,000 emails & 2400 Texts every month. Not counting actual phone minutes used. My decision was not based on COST. We (she) are on a unlimited plan with data package. When in the hell could this kid be in school, studying, sleeping or doing normal young girl (kid) stuff. Plus her butt is grounded until I become un mad. I realized I needed to be more of a hard @#$% DAD and not a Nice permissive Dad. Hell, I might even make her mow the grass… Ya, that sounds good, I will make her mow the grass.

Pretty funny. I agree, 80 texts a day sounds like huge time suck when there’s probably other more productive, or fun things a teenager could be doing. But to them, texting is a way of life. You won’t catch me doing it though.

When my oldest daughter first started riding her bike to school, nobody had cell phones. Not even parents. We used Motorola Walkabouts to communicate. (For the younger audience, those are old-fashioned walkie talkies.) She would turn hers on when she was leaving school at the end of the day and call us at home on ours and let us know she was riding home. It worked great and we had some peace of mind. All for free.

Years later, cell phones became practical and we haven’t looked back. There’s no way I’d take away the cell phones from my kids no matter how much they’re texting. I might find ways to get them to cut back but I wouldn’t take them away. We have a “no phone in the car” rule and we “try” to follow it at dinner.

How Many Texts is Too Many Texts? I don’t have the answer to that. But I do know that texting is how kids communicate today. It’s ingrained in their brains.

How Many Texts is Too Many Texts? is a post from: Easy IEP Help

No related posts.

April 28, 2011
- As a parent of children with learning disabilities, bullying because of a disability is always a big fear. Everybody needs to be educated about how to recognize the signs and know what to do when bullying occurs.

Easy IEP Help News on April 28, 2011 is a post from: Easy IEP Help

Related IEP posts:

1. Easy IEP Help News on August 3, 2011
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3. Easy IEP Help News on March 29, 2011
4. Easy IEP Help News on January 11, 2011
5. Easy IEP Help News on May 26, 2011

NASA Earth Day Video Contest 2011

NASA is having an Earth Day Video Contest to celebrate Earth Day 2011.

NASA encourages short submissions in the 2 to 3 minute range, or 30 seconds if you feel you can do it. I tried for a 30-second version just to see what is possible. Videos should use images from NASA’s Earth imagery collection, which are freely available to the public.

I hope schools get involved and create student-produced videos playing to the imaginations of the kids.

The contest ends May 27, 2011 so there’s still plenty of time to create Earth Day videos for submission.

Details are available on the NASA website at: www.nasa.gov

Follow on Twitter at #NASAEarthVid or @NASA and @NASAGoddard.

Thanks to NASA for their great images and for inspiring kids everywhere.

Happy Earth Day!

NASA Earth Day Video Contest 2011 is a post from: Easy IEP Help

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I have an Ion Crystal Salt Pyramid above my desk so I understand the principles behind ionization. Adding negative ions into the atmosphere can purify the air in a room and help neutralize stress and improve concentration.

Halotherapy reproduces the conditions and benefits of salt caves by dispersing a saline aerosol inside a salt room, which has walls coated with salt from the Dead Sea.

Sessions last 45 minutes and provide relief from a whole host of respiratory problems such as asthma, bronchitis, allergies and even smoker’s cough. But salt therapy is also ideal for treating skin conditions like acne, eczema and psoriasis.

Salt is completely safe and has natural therapeutic qualities, which makes this a popular alternative to traditional medicine for children. The particles in salt are anti-bacterial in nature and dissolve bacteria and pollutants providing respiratory relief.

The Salt Chalet has a room for kids with books, DVDs, and a play area where they can interact with the salt.

Childhood asthma is a widespread problem that causes kids to miss or struggle in school. I read so many times in online forums about parents having difficulties getting IEPs and 504s for their children with asthma. While salt therapy won’t eliminate asthma completely, it can do wonders for minimizing the respiratory ailments associated with asthma and allergies.

Salt Therapy is a great health alternative for all ages, and the benefits of a drug-free, non-invasive treatment with zero side effects can’t be overstated. This treatment type won’t completely eradicate all ailments but it can reduce difficulties to restore a more healthy and productive lifestyle. After the recommended 1 to 20 initial sessions have provided relief, several single follow-ups throughout the year could maintain the proper balance.

Halotherapy, or Salt Terapy, has been used in Europe for years and is just now gaining traction in the United States. Hopefully we will see it flourish everywhere in the near future so that everybody will have access to its therapeutic qualities and reap the benefits of salt therapy.

For more information visit the Salt Chalet at www.SaltChalet.com

Halotherapy – Benefits of Salt Therapy For Asthma and Respiratory Problems is a post from: Easy IEP Help

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1. Easy IEP Help News on July 29, 2010

The Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood has filed a complaint against the company with the Federal Trade Commission asking that all ads be halted. www.BusinessWeek.com

The Today show has been following along and posted a video update to their investigation: http://today.msnbc.msn.com

Watchdog groups have claimed that Your Baby Can Read’s claims are false and misleading. Harvard, NYU and Tufts University have all agreed that there is no evidence that the program works.

The possibility of teaching a “baby” to read in reality is probably as far-fetched as it sounds. But it brings up a larger point that producing “Super Babies” is becoming a huge industry.

Parents have been known to spend upwards of $100,000 to “design” babies with superior attributes before they are even born. And it doesn’t stop in the womb. Parents continue special programs, nutritional diets, and educational services well into high school to make sure that their kids have “an edge” going into college.

To each his own. I think it’s probably best to let kids be kids for as long as they can and allow them to play and enjoy childhood for as long as possible. But that’s just me. I’m sure if I had in excess of $100k to spend on programs that could possibly make my kids better in some area I wouldn’t squander it. But I also remember the kids I saw when I was growing up that were “pushed” too hard and how it altered their childhood and their outlook on life.

Probably more than anything, it’s important to understand that each child or person is unique in life and has strengths and weaknesses and interests that far outweigh the wishes and wants of the parents. Focus on the strengths and interests and let them flourish. Try to improve the weaknesses but don’t get completely hung up on the struggles. They will probably always be there in some fashion so minimizing them becomes more important than eradicating them. Sometimes the minor flaws add flavor to the personality.

Your Baby Can Read – The Promise of Super Babies is a post from: Easy IEP Help

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This video is part of a series called “Changing Brains” from the University of Oregon. Professor Helen Neville is the Director of the Brain Development Lab and she explains, either through the mini videos or the longer 1:26 version, various elements of the brain such as Language, Attention, Vision, etc. All of these are part of the Changing Brains DVD. The full version can be seen at: www.youtube.com.

Knowing that the brain has plasticity helps to better understand the programs available to aid in overcoming brain and learning struggles. Fast ForWord is one such computer program based on the premise of neuroplasticity that helps children with reading and learning struggles.

Many learning disabilities can’t be cured, but the promise of Neuroplasticity shows that the brain isn’t always “fixed” in one specific state and can change through experiences.

Neural Plasticity (Neuroplasticity, Brain Plasticity) – The Ability of the Brain to Change With Experience is a post from: Easy IEP Help

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The rules and laws vary from state to state, but you should ultimately always sign the IEP. It doesn’t mean you HAVE to, and you might not always agree with everything in the IEP but there should be at least something that you agree with enough to sign it.

If you’re attending your first IEP, you DO have to sign it because services cannot begin until you have signed the IEP and it will not be official. Remember, this is a legal document.

But if you already have an IEP on record and you don’t sign the new one, previous services will remain in effect until you sign the new one – in most states.

You can also sign PART of the IEP, meaning you agree to some of what’s included but not everything. Make sure you clearly state on the IEP what parts you agree with and what you don’t before signing it. By signing part of it, any new or changed services that you agree with can begin immediately. Again, in most states.

If you disagree with any part of the IEP, document it and schedule another meeting to discuss what would make this better. At that time you can sign the IEP authorizing everything to take effect.

Probably the most important thing to note is that you don’t have to sign the IEP at the IEP Meeting. In fact, it’s a good idea not to sign it at the meeting. Some schools may pressure you to sign it immediately but you don’t have to. Take it home and review it. Make notes of anything you don’t understand and ask for help if you need it.

There is a lot of information presented at an IEP and much of it can be confusing, even if you have already attended many of them. There is almost always a time constraint at every meeting, and with different teachers coming in and out of the meeting and papers being shuffled back and forth to be signed, you probably won’t have a clear head. Take it home and spend some time with it when you have a clear head.

Let’s be honest, after most parents sign an IEP, they will not look at it again until the following year at the next IEP. By not signing it at the meeting, you will take it home and actually read it. You will gain a better understanding of what is actually in the IEP and you will better understand the services your child will be receiving.

After you feel comfortable with everything, sign the IEP and return it to the school as soon as possible so services can begin. Keep in mind that at any time you can call a meeting with a teacher or the IEP Team to discuss changes you feel are necessary.

Should I Sign The IEP? is a post from: Easy IEP Help

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4. Easy IEP Help News on September 8, 2010
5. What is an Individualized Education Program (IEP)?

I’m not sure why IEP Season is near the end of the school year. My hunch is that most kids don’t get identified initially for an IEP until somebody notices halfway through the year that they are struggling with classwork or failing altogether. By the time the first IEP meeting takes place, school is almost over and the entire year is wasted.

I can live with that assumption. What I find troubling is that an IEP near the end of the school year is inefficient and doesn’t help the student with a learning disability or the teacher(s) trying to help them succeed in school.

To parents, the time of year probably doesn’t matter much. No time of the year is a good time for an IEP.

For me, the best time of the year for an IEP is early Fall, a month or so into the school year. I believe so strongly that I officially go on the record as recommending that IEP Season be moved to October through December. Sure, it’s a busy time of the year at school but it’s arguably the best time of the year for the student. After all, isn’t that who the IEP is for in the first place?

Don’t get me wrong, if you have an IEP at the end of the school year and everything is working fine for you, don’t change it. But if the IEP isn’t working to your satisfaction or you’ve seen little progress, maybe a change to October will help.

Why October? School usually begins in August or September. It takes most teachers a month or so to get a feel for their students and most kids and parents to understand what the teacher expects, what kind of homework is given, and if there are any problems with seating, other students, etc. With this knowledge, the IEP will more efficient because any problems can be addressed and monitored early in the year without wasting two-thirds of the school year. If problems are addressed at the end of the year it’s too late. Another year wasted.

October also gives the parents and teachers a face-to-face early on so that they can address potential problems early on and establish a rapport. Phone numbers, email addresses and best communication channels can be established before things get out of control.

It’s still a new school year and everybody is fresh. It helps to keep tempers down at the IEP and the mood is more positive.

When IEP Goals and Objectives are written at the end of the year, they are passed on to a new teacher who the parents and student haven’t even met yet. They are inherited by a teacher that wasn’t present at the meeting and had no say about what might be best. An IEP in October solves this problem.

There really isn’t a lot going on at the end of the school year anyway. An IEP is written, and then the school year ends followed by summer vacation. All momentum is stopped. Who knows what takes place during the summer. Many kids change – a LOT – during summer, both physically and emotionally. What was written in the Spring may not apply quite as much in the Fall. It may sound ridiculous but take a look around at all the kids in the Fall that you knew from the previous year and you’ll probably agree there are some major changes happening over summer break.

I could go on, and may follow up on IEP Season soon. Like I said earlier, if your IEP schedule is already working don’t change it. But if you have one coming up and you’re not happy with the way things have progressed, now is the best time to consider changing it. The school may balk, but as a parent, YOU are part of the IEP Team too. In your upcoming IEP, tell the team that you want to make a change. It’s in the best interest of your child.

It’s IEP Season – Time for IEP Meetings is a post from: Easy IEP Help

Related IEP posts:

1. Starting the School Year With an IEP
2. IEP Transition Goals and Objectives
3. Writing IEP’s and IEP Annual Goals
4. Should My Child Attend the IEP Meeting?
5. IEP Goals and Objectives for Reading

March 29, 2011

Easy IEP Help News on March 29, 2011 is a post from: Easy IEP Help

Related IEP posts:

1. Easy IEP Help News on March 7, 2011
2. Easy IEP Help News on August 3, 2011
3. Easy IEP Help News on April 28, 2011
4. Easy IEP Help News on January 29, 2011
5. Easy IEP Help News on January 11, 2011

Most schools expect kids to read every day for at least 20 minutes when they’re young and then more as they get older. While they recommend reading a book at a time, here’s a slightly different approach. My favorite tip for getting kids to read – ice cream.

After many unsuccessful attempts at finding a book my daughter wanted to read, I realized that she wasn’t unwilling to read, she just didn’t want to read a book. But every time we went to Ben and Jerry’s for ice cream, she either read the scribbles on the walls and tables, or she wanted to know what they said.

Soon we were reading menus and signs everywhere we went. Ice cream parlors and restaurants have plenty to read. Many have kid’s menus with games to play and word puzzles to figure out.

Billboards and bus stop shelters all have words, magazine ads, commercials, television listings, cereal boxes, junk mail…the list goes on.

We’re bombarded with words and messages everyhwere we look. I remember when I was a kid I’d sit down with a bowl of cereal and read the box. Still do today. When you can occupy a child’s mind with something to do like eating, the brain goes into a different state of awareness. For us it was ice cream. We would go there for a treat and a reading lesson.

A trip to the ice cream parlor is good for about twenty minutes. Think of all the places you could go for twenty minutes and read. The trick to reading is just to get started. Then move on to something a little more structured like a magazine with lots of ads and pictures. When the reading gets better ease into fun books. Just don’t get stuck on thinking that reading has to be all about books. Make reading fun.

Tips For Getting Kids To Read is a post from: Easy IEP Help

Related IEP posts:

1. “Percy Jackson” Author Reveals Reading Success Tips for ADHD and Dyslexia
2. Read Naturally Helps Children Become Better Readers
3. Your Baby Can Read – The Promise of Super Babies
4. Nothing Brightens Your Day Like Kids Laughing
5. Top 10 List of Most Controversial Books of 2009 – Infographic

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, doctors should begin screening for autism by 18 months. Now some researchers are suggesting that signs of autism can be seen as early as 12 months.

Parents know their children better than anybody. And while the characteristics shown in the image relate to autism, they also overlap with many other learning disabilities. If your child exhibits any combination of these, talk to your physician about a screening.

Characteristics or Early Signs of Autism Infographic is a post from: Easy IEP Help

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1. Signs of a Learning Disability
2. Autism IEP
3. Autism Asperger Social Skills Videos
4. Autism, PDD-NOS Research Video
5. Help Schools, Teachers and Parents Understand Learning Disabilities

According to the Brain Gym® International website, their 20+ years of reporting from teachers and students has shown that simple movement activities lead to dramatic improvements in the following areas:

• Concentration and Focus
• Memory
• Academics: reading, writing, math, test taking
• Physical coordination
• Relationships
• Self-responsibility
• Organization skills
• Attitude

and more…

The Brain Gym® is a trademark of the Educational Kinesiology Foundation in Ventura, California and encompasses a whole host of movements, programs and materials that are designed for people of all ages from children to seniors.

The original 26 movements were created by educator and reading specialist Paul E. Dennison and his wife Gail E. Dennison. Since then the program has grown and is available to schools and individuals through instructors, presentations and books.

Once the basic material is learned, it can be used by anyone at any time or place. It works great as a way to break up the day and refresh and recharge the brain. I was fortunate to have a licensed instructor run us through some exercises at a conference a few years ago and I can say that it really recharged the group. If you’ve sat through an all-day conference before you understand what I mean.

The best part is the exercises can be done in a classroom (or at home) in a few minutes and will effectively boost the brains and spirits of the kids. If we’re taking away Physical Education we should at the very least replace it with something that will physically help the brain with learning.

To get a better idea of what the Brain Gym® is all about, visit their website at: www.BrainGym.org

Parents and Teachers can also find dozens of Brain Gym Materials at Amazon.

Movement and the Brain – Brain Gym Exercises Help With Learning is a post from: Easy IEP Help

Related IEP posts:

1. Learning Disability Resources
2. Neural Plasticity (Neuroplasticity, Brain Plasticity) – The Ability of the Brain to Change With Experience
3. PACE – Processing and Cognitive Enhancement
4. Are Your Kids Failing Their Fitness Tests?
5. Race To Nowhere Film

KidZui is a free web browser for kids that can be downloaded and used on any computer. The setup process is easy and each child has an avatar that they can build (with the help of a parent).

The KidZui browser connects to a database of nearly one million websites that have been approved as “kid-friendly” by teachers and parents which alleviates the fear of stumbling across inappropriate content.

Browsing the web provides a great way for kids to increase reading engagement and learn about the world around them. KidZui makes it safe and provides quality content targeted specifically to children.

Although KidZui is designed for children between the ages of 3 and 12 years old, once kids get older and begin using the real internet at school they may lose interest. But it’s still nice to know there is a safe and educational alternative.

www.KidZui.com

KidZui – Web Browser For Children That Provides Safe Internet Use is a post from: Easy IEP Help

Related IEP posts:

1. Child Safety Recalls and The Power of the Internet
2. This is Your Brain on Children’s Books
3. Oklahoma Adopts Scholarships for Disabled Children
4. Read Naturally Helps Children Become Better Readers
5. Top 10 List of Most Controversial Books of 2009 – Infographic

There. Somebody said it. The real question should be, “What do Wall Streeters and CEOs make?”

What Teachers Make is a post from: Easy IEP Help

Related IEP posts:

1. Accurate Thinking For Parents, Teachers, and Students – Or, What Was on the School Answering Machine

The video was produced by Model Me Kids® who also creates great Autism and Aspergers social skills training videos.

Autism, PDD-NOS Research Video is a post from: Easy IEP Help

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1. Autism Asperger Social Skills Videos
2. Social Skills Goals and Objectives
3. NASA Earth Day Video Contest 2011
4. Characteristics or Early Signs of Autism Infographic
5. Autism IEP

“Waiting For Superman” premiered in theaters last year. While the two films share some of the same problems all schools face, overall, they focus on different themes and play to different demographics. If one doesn’t hit home with you, the other probably will.

Waiting For Superman examines charter schools, teachers and unions, and dropout rates. Race to Nowhere takes a different approach and looks at the pressures parents and kids face with too much homework, getting into college, and the stress of being overworked.

Race To Nowhere points to the problems in education I’ve felt for years. They’re kids! Let them be kids for a little longer. Once they stop being kids, most of them will have plenty to be stressed about for the rest of their lives.

And while college is important, it isn’t everything in life. We place so much emphasis on getting into a great college that we fail to prepare them for life. Watching the film it appears we fail to prepare them for college as well.

What is most important is these two films, along with several others, have awakened a sleeping giant, and shine a spotlight on education in America. And it shows quite clearly that something is broken.

I’m now waiting for the film that outlines how we fix it. Working title, “Stop Teaching to the Test.”

http://www.RaceToNowhere.com

Race To Nowhere Film is a post from: Easy IEP Help

Related IEP posts:

1. Waiting For Superman Documentary
2. School Lunch Blog: Fed Up With Lunch
3. Teaching Kids About Aspergers and Other Disabilities
4. Some Say Parents Are To Blame For Lack Of Good Education
5. How Stress Affects College Students – Infographic

March 1, 2011
- An example of an IEP gone well. The follow-up letter is a great way to finish.

Easy IEP Help News on March 7, 2011 is a post from: Easy IEP Help

Related IEP posts:

1. Easy IEP Help News on March 29, 2011
2. Easy IEP Help News on January 29, 2011
3. Easy IEP Help News on August 3, 2011
4. Easy IEP Help News on January 11, 2011
5. Easy IEP Help News on May 26, 2011

If you said “Flip Flops” you’re correct! It’s Flip Flop Art.

From a distance it looks like a colorful blob without any texture, like maybe it’s a blow-up display.

As you get closer you begin to notice more color, texture, and layering.

Curious, you can’t help but wonder what this is all about and you want to know more.

It’s only when you get really close and pay attention that you realize it isn’t what you thought it was. It’s actually something complex and creative, that required a lot of thought and creativity to make it special and unique.

Sound like any anybody you know?

On the surface or from a distance, things aren’t always what they appear to be. It’s only when you spend a little time getting to know something or somebody can you fully appreciate what they’re all about.

Like the sculpture in the park.

Sculpture in the Park is a post from: Easy IEP Help

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1. Changing Paradigms in Education – RSA Animate Video With Sir Ken Robinson

February 28, 2011
- Good info for parents considering an Independent Education Evaluation.

Easy IEP Help News on February 28, 2011 is a post from: Easy IEP Help

Related IEP posts:

1. Easy IEP Help News on February 5, 2011
2. Easy IEP Help News on May 26, 2011
3. Easy IEP Help News on January 11, 2011
4. Easy IEP Help News on January 29, 2011
5. Easy IEP Help News on August 3, 2011

And he’s right you know…there isn’t an ADHD epidemic…school is just plain BORING. It’s no wonder kids can’t sit still, have trouble paying attention, or drop out of school.

That’s not to say that kids with ADD, ADHD, or any number of learning disabilities don’t have a real need for services. But many kids that APPEAR to have problems in school may be stumbling because they are a product of their environment. And we can’t blame teachers either. We need to look at the system, or rather, the roadmap for teaching the curriculum.

It’s time we stop teaching to the test and start taking advantage of the unique abilities of our kids.

Sir Ken Robinson’s book is available on Amazon: The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything

Changing Paradigms in Education – RSA Animate Video With Sir Ken Robinson is a post from: Easy IEP Help

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1. Sir Ken Robinson – Does School Kill Creativity?
2. Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
3. Special Education Goals and Objectives
4. Dyslexia Video – Richard Branson at TED
5. Least Restrictive Environment

Ever feel like this in the morning? You have three minutes to get the kids to school before the bell rings and you “promise” yourself if you can just make it there on time today you won’t let this happen again.

Late For School is a post from: Easy IEP Help

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1. Starting the School Year With an IEP
2. Easy IEP Help News on July 4, 2010
3. Mindfulness Can Help With Attention in School
4. Accurate Thinking For Parents, Teachers, and Students – Or, What Was on the School Answering Machine
5. Should My Child Attend the IEP Meeting?

We’re ALL individuals with unique styles and traits. So why is it that “they” want to make us all like everybody else? This is true for kids in school, for athletes, for actors, musicians, yada yada yada.

There is some merit to following an established “proper” technique and form but if something is working, and working well, don’t change it.

Tim Wolchko is a junior in high school from New Jersey and he just won the New Jersey State high school bowling championship. There’s nothing odd about that. Until you find out he’s a two-handed bowler.

People have been telling him since he started bowling that he’s doing it all wrong. It was fine when he was five or six-years old but now that he’s older, “they” say he should be throwing it the right way – with one hand.

To Tim, this is the “right” way. And he shines at it. Still in high school, he’s already thrown eight perfect games. If I break 150 it’s a banner day.

The world is full of people like Tim Wolchko with unique ways of doing exceptional things. If your child is one of them, be like Tim’s dad and let them be. Encourage, don’t stifle, creativity and individuality. It may be their reason for success.

Hey Tim, congrats on the win!

Two-Handed Bowler Told He’s Not Doing it Right – Wins State Title is a post from: Easy IEP Help

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The video above is one small snippet from Richard Lavoie’s F.A.T. City Workshop. If you haven’t seen the full video you are missing a huge opportunity to better understand not only what LD kids go through in school but how we can all better help them have success in school.

Both this video and the follow-up are showcased on our Learning Disability Must-Haves page.

How Processing Affects Kids With Learning Disabilities is a post from: Easy IEP Help

Related IEP posts:

1. Teaching Kids About Aspergers and Other Disabilities
2. Learning Disability Acronyms
3. Understanding Learning Disabilities
4. PACE – Processing and Cognitive Enhancement
5. Help Schools, Teachers and Parents Understand Learning Disabilities

He wasn’t being mean or ignorant or indifferent. He really meant it. He, and many of us understand that when something is misplaced or lacking in one area, something else or some other area is almost always heightened.

I ran across the following video that shows many successful people that had a difficulty in some area of their life but compensated for it and went on to greatness later in life.

Not all of these people had learning disabilities but they all struggled with something.

When the brain under-performs in a region, it usually over-performs in another region to provide a balance.

The brain also has plasticity which means it can be shaped and changed throughout life. What is happening or not happening right now may change over time.

If you or somebody you know has a weakness or difficulty with something, try to find the strength that balances out the weakness. Look for the positives and don’t dwell on the negatives.

What Are Your Strengths? is a post from: Easy IEP Help

Related IEP posts:

1. Neural Plasticity (Neuroplasticity, Brain Plasticity) – The Ability of the Brain to Change With Experience
2. Are Your Kids Failing Their Fitness Tests?
3. Do You Have Adult ADHD?

Luckily, fresh fruit goes great with chocolate and it’s easy to indulge in a mix of both.

This is also an ideal time to sneak in some studying and Chocolate Math is a nice little trick for showing that Math isn’t always boring.

Happy Valentine’s Day is a post from: Easy IEP Help

Related IEP posts:

1. Chocolate Math – Fun Trick for Teaching Math
2. Chocolate Milk in Schools – Infographic

It’s also a good idea to find interesting ways to teach Math so the kids become interested early on and keep pace as things progress. Following is an interesting exercise that has a little fun with numbers called “Chocolate Math” and it shows how to find your age based on your love of chocolate. Use a calculator to make things easier.

Find Your Age Using Chocolate Math

1. First, pick the number of times a week that you would like to have chocolate (more than 1 but less than 10).

2. Multiply this number by 2.



3. Add 5



4. Multiply it by 50.

5. If you have already had your birthday this year, add 1761. If you haven’t, add 1760.

6. Now subtract the four digit year that you were born.



You should now have a three digit number.



The first digit of this number is your original number (i.e., how many times you want to have chocolate each week).



The next two numbers are your age.

This trick works for 2011. Hopefully I’ll remember to update the numbers so they work next year.

There are plenty of Math tricks that can be fun and amazing. Learning the tricks sheds a whole new light on Math and numbers in general. If you can get kids (and adults) interested in Math it isn’t such a chore.

Below are some examples of books that can help parents, teachers, and kids find easy ways to learn Math and have a little fun while doing it. There is a whole series of candy books that teach Math. Some parents think it would be better using fruit and vegetables to teach Math, and maybe so, but they aren’t as much fun for kids. It’s okay, we’re teaching important things here.

This first book is better for younger kids and the second is targeted to older kids to do things in their head.

Chocolate Math – Fun Trick for Teaching Math is a post from: Easy IEP Help

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1. Happy Valentine’s Day
2. Chocolate Milk in Schools – Infographic
3. Teaching Kids About Aspergers and Other Disabilities

I usually take these short online quizzes with a grain of salt. If they were all completely accurate I’d have several dozen serious afflictions based on my answers which are almost always a complete match for whatever they’re testing. Lucky me.

I fail so many ADD and ADHD online quizzes that I sometimes think I should have a proper assessment. Or is it because I get distracted online and always forget where I left my keys? I can’t remember.

Seeing this quiz the other day made me think about all the kids in school that are actually assessed with a real learning disability. Too many times I’ve witnessed one or both of the parents in denial that their child has a learning disorder.

There’s no shame in having a learning disability and most of the time it has no bearing on the intelligence of the child.

What most parents fail to realize is that if their child has a learning disability, chances are pretty good one of the parents ALSO has the same thing. It’s not always certain and it doesn’t follow suit for all disabilities, but the frequency is so high it warrants mention.

Again, there’s no shame in having a learning disability and it has no bearing on the intelligence of the parent.

When you think about it, most parents today wouldn’t know they have a learning disability since there wasn’t much testing when any of us were kids. Some of us struggled in school or we had friends that didn’t do well. We were aware of the problem but not the reason. We just thought school was difficult or boring, or both.

Looking at this in a positive light, when a child is diagnosed with a disability such as ADHD, the parent may have just received a clue they might have ADHD too. This could be a blessing for many parents to find out WHY they had problems in school and why they continue to have problems as an adult in the areas of concentration, fidgeting, forgetfulness or a whole host of other difficulties. The best part is it means they aren’t dumb.

It also means they can get help. Adult ADHD diagnosis has been around for some time now but it’s becoming more common. ADD, ADHD, and many other learning disabilities are carried over to adulthood. Those afflicted usually don’t outgrow them but they can overcome many of the problems associated with them.

Getting help not only affords some peace of mind but it can also help to understand what your child is going through. At the same time, it is something you can work on together.

Do You Have Adult ADHD? is a post from: Easy IEP Help

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1. “Percy Jackson” Author Reveals Reading Success Tips for ADHD and Dyslexia
2. Causes of Learning Disability
3. Learning Disability
4. Learning Disability Testing
5. Define Learning Disability

This might happen in Nicaragua but in the U.S. you wouldn’t see this in a snowstorm. I don’t know if we should applaud this driver or call him crazy. Either way, he has a lot of guts! Kudos for making it.

Bus Drives Over a Waterfall is a post from: Easy IEP Help

Related IEP posts:

1. Preschool Test: Which Way is the Bus Going?

January 29, 2011

Easy IEP Help News on February 5, 2011 is a post from: Easy IEP Help

Related IEP posts:

1. Easy IEP Help News on February 28, 2011
2. Easy IEP Help News on January 11, 2011
3. Easy IEP Help News on August 3, 2011
4. Easy IEP Help News on January 29, 2011
5. Easy IEP Help News on December 20, 2010

The powdery substance has similar properties to cocaine or ecstasy and has shown to be fatal in a variety of circumstances. The high can last up to eight hours with feelings of physical and mental stimulation, sexual arousal, and intense energy. The negative effects include a rapid heart, paranoia, muscle twitch and breathing difficulties.

Bath Salts have resulted in deaths here and abroad. Not much is known about this new drug yet but it is already being banned in several countries and so far in Louisiana.

Talk to your kids to see if they know anything about it and to let them know that it can be far more dangerous than anybody realizes.

“Bath Salts” – Legal Drug That Could be Fatal is a post from: Easy IEP Help

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But maybe only one of your kids needs services and a new school choice should also fit the needs of ALL members of the family. Walkability to school should also be a consideration, especially if you live in an urban area where buses and transportation to school is minimal. And walking promotes healthy brains.

Walk Score is a website with the main purpose to help homebuyers find out if an address is within easy walking distance to the area school and promote walkable neighborhoods.

Walk Score is easy to use. Simply plug in an address and it shows the walk score (out of 100) for that address. It also shows public transportation for the area, local parks, restaurants and other shops, and a comparison of your walk score to others in the district.

In Beta is a Street Smart Walk Score that can calculate your score using different walking routes.

It’s difficult finding the “right” school, but tools like Walk Score are making it easier to do the research to find that perfect match.

For more info, visit the website at: www.WalkScore.com

Does Your School Have a High Walk Score? is a post from: Easy IEP Help

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1. World Teachers’ Day 2011 and Walk to School Day 2011
2. Easy IEP Help News on February 5, 2011
3. School Lunch Blog: Fed Up With Lunch

January 29, 2011
- Some viewpoints about IEP meeting goals…

Writing IEP’s and IEP Annual Goals

IEP Goals and Objectives for Reading

IEP Goals – SMART Goals

Social Skills Goals and Objectives

Writing good IEP Goals can be frustrating, intimidating, and time consuming but they make up the framework of the IEP.

Easy IEP Help News on January 29, 2011 is a post from: Easy IEP Help

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1. Easy IEP Help News on January 11, 2011
2. Writing IEP’s and IEP Annual Goals
3. Easy IEP Help News on February 5, 2011
4. IEP Goals and Objectives for Reading
5. Easy IEP Help News on May 26, 2011

To update your settings Go to:

Account > Privacy Settings > Apps & Websites > Instant Personalization > edit settings and uncheck “Enable.”

Pass this around. If your friends don’t do this, they will be sharing info about you as well on sites like Rotten Tomatoes, Pandora, etc.

Now would also be a good time to check the Facebook settings of your kids. While you’re at it, take a look at what they’re posting online and make sure they aren’t posting any sensitive information and material that could come back to bite them later.

Kids have a “no fear” mechanism and don’t always understand the ramifications of their actions.

It used to be that we had to have discussions about alcohol, drugs, and sex. The world is changing and we also need to discuss everything they do online to make sure they are safe now and in the future.

They probably think they know more about it than you do, and they’re probably right this time, but it’s still a good idea to have this talk. Best of luck!

Facebook Privacy – Talk With Your Kids is a post from: Easy IEP Help

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Auditory Integration Training is a ten-day program offered twice a day for 30 minutes in each session. It begins with an audiogram performed by an audiologist. The results of the audiogram are plugged into a machine that modulates the frequencies of music from a compact disc which the child listens to through a set of headphones.

After five days of the program, it’s back to the audiologist for an updated audiogram. The new numbers are plugged into the machine and new levels are set for the remaining five days of listening to music.

AIT is not “research-based” although there are decades of research behind it and 28 clinical studies. Because of this, most schools and speech and language therapists do not consider it a proper treatment. But talk to any parent or specialist that has seen it’s effectiveness and you’ll understand why AIT is one of the best programs available.

Who Can Benefit From AIT?

Children and Adults that suffer from:

• ADD/ADHD
• Auditory Processing Disorder (APD or CAPD)
• Aspergers Syndrome
• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Dyslexia
• Hyper-Sensitive Hearing
• Sensory Integration Disorder
• Non-verbal Learning Disorder (NLD)

and more…

Are There Any Side Effects to AIT?

It does not cause any damage to the ears or hearing. But many people react to the first few sessions in a variety of ways, such as becoming tired, overly stimulated, quiet, agitated, or more focused. After several sessions, emotions tend to normalize but results can be seen almost immediately.

AIT helps to normalize hearing across all frequencies, essentially “tuning the ears and brain” which helps to filter out noise that would otherwise be distracting to the child.

Auditory Integration Training should be on your short-list of therapies to consider for many learning disabilities.

For more info:

www.AuditoryIntegration.net

In southern California:

www.LearningGymUSA.com

Auditory Integration Training (AIT) for Autism, CAPD, and Other Learning Disorders is a post from: Easy IEP Help

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2. PACE – Processing and Cognitive Enhancement
3. Learning Disability Resources
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5. Autism, PDD-NOS Research Video

The idea takes Julie and Julia to new levels. As parents, we’d all like to gain a little insight into what goes on at school with our kids. It’s great to join them for lunch every so often but an entire year of it may be pushing the limits.

The National School Lunch Program has been a hot topic for some time, and the documentary, Waiting For Superman, recently put the school system under a bright light.

Celebrity Chef, Jamie Oliver, has been on a campaign to infuse better lunches into schools across England and the United States. The LA Unified School District refused to allow him access into their schools to film his reality TV show but he’s had plenty of offers to visit private schools and others outside of the LA District’s boundaries.

Kudos for Mrs. Q for not only enduring an entire year of school lunches but also for giving us all a glimpse into the world of lunch at school. Best of luck on the book!

School Lunch Blog: Fed Up With Lunch is a post from: Easy IEP Help

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1. National School Lunch Program
2. Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Taj Mahal
3. Race To Nowhere Film
4. Starting the School Year With an IEP
5. Waiting For Superman Documentary

Preschool Test: Which Way is the Bus Going? is a post from: Easy IEP Help

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1. Preschool IEP
2. Bus Drives Over a Waterfall
3. Easy IEP Help News on June 11, 2010
4. Dyslexia Test – Do You Have Dyslexia?

TeachMe: Kindergarten is a great way to teach kids while they play. It is also available for the iPod Touch and iPad.

For more information or to purchase for just 99 cents, find TeachMe: Kindergarten at the iTunes store.

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/teachme-kindergarten

TeachMe: Kindergarten – iPhone App is a post from: Easy IEP Help

Related IEP posts:

1. IEP Checklist iPhone App
2. Easy IEP Help News on May 26, 2011

January 11, 2011
- Basic differences between an IEP and 504.

Easy IEP Help News on January 11, 2011 is a post from: Easy IEP Help

Related IEP posts:

1. Easy IEP Help News on January 29, 2011
2. Easy IEP Help News on February 5, 2011
3. Easy IEP Help News on August 26, 2010
4. Easy IEP Help News on February 28, 2011
5. Easy IEP Help News on May 26, 2011

Sir Ken Robinson speaks at TED in this video about creativity and school.

After watching this you can find out more about him on his website: SirKenRobinson.com

His book is available on Amazon: The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything

Sir Ken Robinson – Does School Kill Creativity? is a post from: Easy IEP Help

Related IEP posts:

1. Changing Paradigms in Education – RSA Animate Video With Sir Ken Robinson
2. Accurate Thinking For Parents, Teachers, and Students – Or, What Was on the School Answering Machine
3. Dyslexia Video – Richard Branson at TED
4. Late For School
5. Mindfulness Can Help With Attention in School

It doesn’t matter what you read to your kids or what they read for themselves – just read!

There’s no better way to turn on a child’s imagination than to find those one or two books that flip the switch. Keep searching until they find their groove.

Dr. Seuss Classics

This is Your Brain on Children’s Books is a post from: Easy IEP Help

Related IEP posts:

1. Movement and the Brain – Brain Gym Exercises Help With Learning
2. Top 10 List of Most Controversial Books of 2009 – Infographic
3. Neural Plasticity (Neuroplasticity, Brain Plasticity) – The Ability of the Brain to Change With Experience
4. Read Naturally Helps Children Become Better Readers
5. KidZui – Web Browser For Children That Provides Safe Internet Use

Some people will look at this and say, “Yeah!” Others will simply groan. I consider it a challenge.

A few years ago that burger would have had a side of fries instead of a salad. And they would have been smothered in cheese. Nowadays I opt for the salad. It may be a small change, but it’s going in the right direction. Did I mention I only eat half and save the rest for later. Go me.

I like to use food as an example because it’s my biggest weakness…and challenge. For others, school/learning is their biggest challenge and unfortunately, it’s just as important as food.

For those who struggle with reading it can feel like their entire world is one big impossible task. But taking it slowly and mastering small changes will lead to a big success. Nobody learns to read overnight, not even good readers. It takes practice and effort. Eventually it sinks in. And then it builds.

This applies to any endeavor, whether it’s an exercise program, a diet/weight program, learning a computer program, etc. Just get started and take it a little at a time.

No matter who you are or what you do, there is always something that presents as a challenge. Athletes must overcome other players with better skills. Actors must hone their craft and learn new skills like dialect or singing.

Life is an experience and a learning one at that. You don’t have to eat the whole burger at once to enjoy it. You just have to be willing to take it a little at a time and move forward in the right direction.

Small Changes Lead To Success is a post from: Easy IEP Help

Related IEP posts:

1. National School Lunch Program
2. Fruits, Vegetables, and Pesticides – Infographic
3. “Percy Jackson” Author Reveals Reading Success Tips for ADHD and Dyslexia

December 20, 2010
- Here is a short primer for parents beginning the IEP Process.

Easy IEP Help News on December 20, 2010 is a post from: Easy IEP Help

Related IEP posts:

1. Easy IEP Help News on December 1, 2010
2. Easy IEP Help News on August 7, 2010
3. Easy IEP Help News on October 11, 2010
4. Easy IEP Help News on July 4, 2010
5. Easy IEP Help News on September 26, 2010

What began as bedtime stories, turned into a five-book series about Percy Jackson who has ADHD and Dyslexia. Riordan outlines four simple strategies that can be used by parents to help their children that struggle with reading.

Read about it at GreatSchools.org

Percy Jackson Books on Amazon

“Percy Jackson” Author Reveals Reading Success Tips for ADHD and Dyslexia is a post from: Easy IEP Help

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1. Tips For Getting Kids To Read
2. National Anti-Bullying Month
3. Do You Have Adult ADHD?
4. Read Naturally Helps Children Become Better Readers
5. Easy IEP Help News on August 3, 2011

Genius mashup of two classics. Kudos mojochronic.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Meets The Police is a post from: Easy IEP Help

No related posts.

So when I saw this page on Shine for Yahoo listing 25 Websites With Free Shipping for the Holidays I knew they were talking to me.

Here’s the list of websites but you’ll have to visit the page to get the details and links to the Free Shopping sites.

6pm.com
BabyAge.com
BabyEarth.com
Boscovs.com
BrooksBrothers.com
BuildABear.com
CookiesKids.com
Crocs.com
DimplesBaby.com
EllaMoss.com
Endless.com shipping on new styles
Leapfrog.com
J. Crew 12/20
JCPenney.com
Kohls.com
Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy & Athleta over $50
Giggle.com plus have them gift-wrapped for free
Macys.com 12/20
MelissaandDoug.com FREESHIP30
Nordstrom.com
Piperlime.com
Robeez.com
Shop.Lego.com
Spanx.com
Splendid.com until 12/17
Target.com
TeaCollection.com
ToysRUs.com
Zappos.com

Happy Holiday Shopping!

http://shine.yahoo.com

25 Websites With Free Shipping for the Holidays is a post from: Easy IEP Help

Related IEP posts:

1. Lunchbox Ideas – Banana Notes
2. Nothing Brightens Your Day Like Kids Laughing
3. Child Safety Recalls and The Power of the Internet

December 1, 2010
- Time ran out on this Bill. I wonder what they were all doing in Congress since March. Oh yeah, they’ve all been campaigning for the past two years. We need a Bill that says Congress can’t get paid for campaigning – only for doing the work they were elected to do. I’m just sayin’…

Easy IEP Help News on December 1, 2010 is a post from: Easy IEP Help

Related IEP posts:

1. Easy IEP Help News on December 20, 2010
2. Easy IEP Help News on July 4, 2010
3. Easy IEP Help News on July 29, 2010
4. Easy IEP Help News on October 4, 2010
5. Easy IEP Help News on October 11, 2010

It’s difficult building a certain kind of trust and it gets more difficult as they get older. But it’s imperative to build that trust and it goes both ways. They must trust you and you must trust them.

It isn’t always easy and sometimes we stumble. But when we do, stand up, say so, and try to not let it happen again the next time. Hopefully, it won’t be too costly.

Moms are usually pretty good at tending to sick or injured kids. Dads take note – just because you were a tough-guy athlete in school it doesn’t make you an expert at diagnosing injuries. When your child says they broke their arm playing soccer, maybe they actually did.

x-rays

It’s okay, we learn something new every day. Learning to believe your kids is an important first step. Because no matter how ridiculous it may sound, they just might be telling the truth.

Always Believe Your Kids – Even When What They Say is Unbelievable is a post from: Easy IEP Help

No related posts.

The PACE program is a twelve-week, intensive, one-on-one, cognitive training program that corrects and enhances learning skills and the brain’s processing abilities.

Areas of increased development include auditory processing and visual processing, working memory, phonemic awareness and processing speed.

PACE is an impressive program. Parents are required to attend the first learning session to understand how the program works and to use it at home. Sessions are one hour a day, three days a week with an instructor and an additional one hour a day, three days a week at home.

The PACE program comes with a kit that includes tools and instructions for using and studying the program. One of the very first exercises taught my daughter to recite all the presidents in order from Washington to Bush. Amazing.

PACE – Processing and Cognitive Enhancement is a post from: Easy IEP Help

Related IEP posts:

1. Fast ForWord
2. Auditory Processing Disorder – APD
3. Auditory Integration Training (AIT) for Autism, CAPD, and Other Learning Disorders
4. Learning Disability Resources
5. Least Restrictive Environment

Children with Auditory Processing Disorder have difficulty processing what they hear and words or sentences can become scrambled or processed by the brain in a manner that is not consistent with the actual message.

We still don’t know what causes APD. We do know that symptoms can include:

• Difficulty with language
• Trouble following too many directions or instructions given at a time
• Problems remembering verbal information
• Becoming distracted in noisy or busy environments
• Poor academic performance related to spelling, reading, and comprehension
• Difficulty understanding idioms or abstract language
• Can’t discern between similar sounds like “Mike” and “Bike”

An audiologist can test a child to determine if Auditory Processing Disorder is present.

For children with APD, the following may help in school and at home:

• Study and work in a quiet environment
• Sit near the front of the classroom
• Make sure the child understands instructions by speaking slowly
• Do not give complex instructions or directions
• Ask them to repeat instructions or directions

Programs that have shown success for children with Auditory Processing Disorder include: Fast ForWord, PACE, and AIT (Auditory Integration Training).

Auditory Processing Disorder – APD is a post from: Easy IEP Help

Related IEP posts:

1. PACE – Processing and Cognitive Enhancement
2. Auditory Integration Training (AIT) for Autism, CAPD, and Other Learning Disorders
3. Learning Disability Acronyms
4. How Processing Affects Kids With Learning Disabilities
5. Define Learning Disability

A first grade girl handed in the drawing below for her homework assignment.

The teacher graded it and the child brought it home.

She returned to school the next day with the following note:

Dear Ms. Davis,

I want to be perfectly clear on my child’s homework illustration. It is NOT of me on a dance pole on a stage in a strip joint surrounded by male customers with money.

I work at Home Depot and had commented to my daughter how much money we made in the recent snowstorm. This drawing is of me selling a shovel.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Harrington

First Grade Drawing – Priceless is a post from: Easy IEP Help

Related IEP posts:

1. Elementary Textbooks

Read Naturally has been helping students become better readers since 1991 by supporting the five essential components of reading: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.

Read Naturally uses three strategies to improve reading efficiency: teacher modeling, repeated reading, and progress monitoring.

The program benefits students by offering high-interest stories to read, developing independence, and providing an individualized program where students progress at their own pace.

More information about Read Naturally can be found on their website at: www.ReadNaturally.com

Read Naturally Helps Children Become Better Readers is a post from: Easy IEP Help

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1. PACE – Processing and Cognitive Enhancement
2. Tips For Getting Kids To Read
3. Earobics For Reading Achievement
4. KidZui – Web Browser For Children That Provides Safe Internet Use
5. Fast ForWord

As parents, and teachers, writing IEPs can be difficult on so many levels. I’m glad it’s a team effort because if I had to do it alone it would probably take me a week and I’m sure I’d get it wrong.

With so many rules and ever-changing regulations, it helps to have software that applies the required legal elements, but that doesn’t change the important content that’s actually the substance of the IEP.

Probably the most important aspect to be considered is to properly write IEP Annual Goals. And to make it easier, think in terms of SMART IEP Goals.

To begin, the child’s Present Level of Educational Performance, also known as PLOP, should be stated to form a basis to write goals and objectives. Does the child have difficulty with Math or Reading? Are test scores low, is homework being completed, are there behavioral issues? Be specific, as these will relate to writing IEP Goals.

Writing IEP Annual Goals are long term and pertain to the goals to be met on an annual basis – what will be accomplished by the next IEP in one year. IEP Goals must be measurable and attainable. Goals that can’t be measured or can’t be met are not Goals.

Make sure to include the area (Reading, Math, Writing) and level (with some help, at grade level) the goal should meet. Example: Patty will be able to read a 4th grade reading passage and understand 8 sight words at 80% accuracy by next October.

IEP Objectives are short term and help build along the path to the Annual Goal. If the Annual Goal begins and ends in October, short term Objectives should be met in possibly February and June. Example: Patty will be able to read a 4th grade reading passage and understand 5 sight words at 60% accuracy by February.

Of course these are very brief and simple examples to illustrate. It’s important to provide as much info as possible as it relates to the grade level of the child.

Be sure to include any necessary resources and materials that will be needed to reach the IEP Goals and Objectives.

Writing IEP’s and IEP Annual Goals is a post from: Easy IEP Help

Related IEP posts:

1. IEP Goals and Objectives for Reading
2. IEP Goals
3. Easy IEP Help News on January 29, 2011
4. Special Education Goals and Objectives
5. IEP Transition Goals and Objectives

November 11, 2010
- “Collaboration helps to ensure children with learning disabilities get a free and appropriate public education (FAPE), including specialized instruction, in a regular classroom.”

Read more at Suite101: Full Inclusion – Today’s Public School Classroom http://www.suite101.com/content/full-inclusion—todays-public-school-classroom-a306815#ixzz14zdGQba7

BlogCatalog

Family blog

Easy IEP Help News on November 11, 2010 is a post from: Easy IEP Help

Related IEP posts:

1. Easy IEP Help News on October 11, 2010
2. Easy IEP Help News on July 4, 2010
3. Easy IEP Help News on October 4, 2010
4. Easy IEP Help News on September 26, 2010
5. Easy IEP Help News on August 26, 2010

Because every learning disability is different, and every IEP is different, it’s often difficult to get a good handle on what to expect and how to get the best services for your child.

Fortunately, there are plenty of resources available. Some of our favorites are recommended on our Tools for an Easy IEP page.

These books and videos come highly recommended and provide much of what you will need to successfully navigate the IEP process.

Check them out at: www.easyiephelp.com/tools-easy-iep/

Resources for an Easy IEP is a post from: Easy IEP Help

Related IEP posts:

1. Learning Disability Resources
2. Special Education Teacher Resources
3. IEP Process
4. Writing IEP’s and IEP Annual Goals
5. Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

Richard Branson speaks about overcoming Dyslexia in this interview at TED.

Many people have overcome learning disabilities such as Dyslexia and have gone on to become very successful in life. Find what you’re interested in and what you’re good at and channel your energies to those areas.

Do you think you might have Dyslexia? Watch this Dyslexia Test Video.

Dyslexia Video – Richard Branson at TED is a post from: Easy IEP Help

Related IEP posts:

1. Dyslexia Test – Do You Have Dyslexia?
2. Understanding Learning Disabilities
3. “Percy Jackson” Author Reveals Reading Success Tips for ADHD and Dyslexia
4. Learning Disability Video
5. Easy IEP Help News on July 4, 2010

October 22, 2010
- If you’re concerned about the California Exit Exam and what’s in it for your child, here are some facts to help clear up the confusion.

Easy IEP Help News on October 22, 2010 is a post from: Easy IEP Help

Related IEP posts:

1. Easy IEP Help News on October 11, 2010
2. Easy IEP Help News on October 4, 2010
3. Easy IEP Help News on July 4, 2010
4. Easy IEP Help News on August 26, 2010
5. Easy IEP Help News on December 20, 2010

This learning disability video was produced by the Learning Disabilities Association of Ontario. Nice job.
www.ldao.ca

Learning Disability Video is a post from: Easy IEP Help

Related IEP posts:

1. Define Learning Disability
2. Learning Disability Simulation
3. Learning Disability Acronyms
4. Learning Disability Statistics
5. Understanding Learning Disabilities

October 11, 2010
- What do you know – all of the education funding HASN’T dried up. Here’s a list of some schools across the country that have recently received a total of $100 million.

October 10, 2010
- Many people have the wrong idea about an IEP. It is seen as a bad thing but the truth is, if you need it, you need it.

October 10, 2010
- Short commentary on FAPE – Free Appropriate Public Education

Easy IEP Help News on October 11, 2010 is a post from: Easy IEP Help

Related IEP posts:

1. Easy IEP Help News on October 22, 2010
2. Easy IEP Help News on October 4, 2010
3. Easy IEP Help News on November 11, 2010
4. Easy IEP Help News on July 4, 2010
5. Easy IEP Help News on August 26, 2010

Bullying has always been around in schools but in the past few years it has changed with the widespread use of the internet. It’s no longer a problem between one or two students – it now reaches throughout the school in a matter of minutes.

No student is exempt from being a bully or from being bullied. It is now an epidemic because of it’s high visibility and the embarrassment is much greater with photos and videos being spread through so many channels.

Kids with learning disabilities already feel some amount of embarrassment because they are in special classes or can’t compete on some levels as their peers. It’s important to discuss it in the IEP to find out if it’s happening and to monitor any changes in behavior that might stem from bullying in school.

Great Schools has some tips for ways to eliminate bullying.
www.greatschools.org

National Anti-Bullying Month is a post from: Easy IEP Help

Related IEP posts:

1. National School Lunch Program
2. Least Restrictive Environment
3. Easy IEP Help News on April 28, 2011
4. Should I Sign The IEP?
5. Learning Disability Statistics

Do you think you have Dyslexia? The video gives hope for anybody with Dyslexia and does a good job of explaining it. It was produced by Voices From The Margins.

To find out more about Dyslexia, take a Dyslexia Test at: http://www.dyslexia.com

Dyslexia Test – Do You Have Dyslexia? is a post from: Easy IEP Help

Related IEP posts:

1. Dyslexia Video – Richard Branson at TED
2. Learning Disability Video
3. Preschool Test: Which Way is the Bus Going?
4. “Percy Jackson” Author Reveals Reading Success Tips for ADHD and Dyslexia
5. Understanding Learning Disabilities

October 4, 2010
- Here’s a few videos and information about Dyslexia.

Easy IEP Help News on October 4, 2010 is a post from: Easy IEP Help

Related IEP posts:

1. Easy IEP Help News on October 11, 2010
2. Easy IEP Help News on October 22, 2010
3. Easy IEP Help News on July 4, 2010
4. Easy IEP Help News on August 16, 2010
5. Easy IEP Help News on August 7, 2010

Was Albert Einstein learning disabled? I don’t think anybody knows for sure but the idea has certainly been tossed around enough for a variety of reasons. His name shows up on lists of famous and successful people with learning disabilities and for good reason – anybody can overcome anything and learning disabled does not mean dumb.

I saw this poster in my daughter’s classroom at back to school night and I had to take a pic. It was, in all places, the Learning Center. The quote is actually from Einstein and is very telling.

“Do not worry about your difficulties in mathematics; I can assure you that mine are still greater.” – Albert Einstein

This is a great model for kids that are struggling in school. Even the greatest thinkers of all time have trouble figuring out things that they are good at. Einstein was brilliant at physics but he struggled with some of the math. How ironic.

If we can show kids (and parents and teachers) examples like this, it takes the pressure off just enough to get through the struggle.

Did Einstein Have a Learning Disability? is a post from: Easy IEP Help

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1. Learning Disability Simulation
2. Learning Disabled Does NOT Mean Dumb
3. Learning Disability Statistics
4. Learning Disability Strategies
5. Autism Asperger Social Skills Videos

I found this article enlightening (with video – image from CNN) about how schools struggle to feed kids healthy food. The issue is before currently before Congress and we can only hope they do the right thing.

(CNN) — Dana Woldow issues a challenge to every member of Congress: “Try school cafeteria food in your district. Then see if you continue to make the same decisions about how you fund the program.”

Read the article and view the video here.

National School Lunch Program is a post from: Easy IEP Help

Related IEP posts:

1. School Lunch Blog: Fed Up With Lunch
2. National Anti-Bullying Month
3. Accurate Thinking For Parents, Teachers, and Students – Or, What Was on the School Answering Machine
4. What is an Individualized Education Program (IEP)?
5. Understanding Learning Disabilities

The fast food giant has made great strides in the past few years to get better food choices onto their menu. And for a long time McDonalds has made nutrition charts available in stores and on their website. They’re not hiding anything and even though their commercials entice us with the stuff we love that may not love us back, the fact remains that there are healthier alternatives on the menu.

McDonalds knows that getting kids at an early age to crave their goods translates into potential lifelong customers. Nothing wrong with that – it’s a sound business move. But getting kids to like the healthier menu items is a trickier proposition that should be aimed at parents.

Childhood obesity is a fact in America and many times places like McDonalds are at the top of the list of causes. It’s not only McDonalds, but their name has become the word of choice to represent all fast food chains.

But even if your kids don’t have an obesity problem, proper nutrition is vital for optimal brain functioning. Kids with learning disabilities or ones that struggle in school are more at risk and require good nutrition to stay alert and optimize brain processing.

Taking all fast food as a whole, McDonalds can be one of the better choices. They not only offer menu items like Apple Dippers, Fruit ‘n Yogurt Parfait, and a handful of salads, they provide one of the best, and most convenient exercise environments known to man – the McDonalds PlayPlace.

Let’s be real – many kids don’t get enough exercise any more because parents are afraid to let their kids go outside to play. Stranger Danger and other fears have replaced outside playtime exercise with inside TV and computer-time.

The 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends that kids get at least 60 minutes of moderate physical activity, including active play, most days of the week.

Sounds like good advice. But how do parents combine exercise time and decent nutrition into a combination that fits into a busy lifestyle? How about an hour spent at a McDonalds PlayPlace with some of their better menu choices? Parents can be close enough to their kids without worrying after dinnertime and while the kids are playing, catch up on emails or light websurfing on a smartphone.

Still not convinced about the nutritional values of the menu? Check out the McDonalds webpage, Delicious Choices, or go to NutritionData.com and search for a food name or category and get the facts. They have the skinny on more data than you know what to do with and offer comparisons among restaurants and menu items.

McDonalds Nutrition is a post from: Easy IEP Help

Related IEP posts:

1. Small Changes Lead To Success
2. Learning Disability Strategies
3. Are Your Kids Failing Their Fitness Tests?
4. Fruits, Vegetables, and Pesticides – Infographic
5. Are Learning Disabilities Common?

September 26, 2010
- School may be a few in session already but with so many forms to fill out and supplies to buy, there is always something we forget and this list may help jog your memory.

September 26, 2010
- This is a call to parents who have been through the IEP Process with their children from start to finish – stay in the game and help other parents get through the process. You can be a valuable teacher and guide to help other parents and children who need your help.

Easy IEP Help News on September 26, 2010 is a post from: Easy IEP Help

Related IEP posts:

1. Easy IEP Help News on September 8, 2010
2. Easy IEP Help News on June 4, 2010
3. Easy IEP Help News on July 4, 2010
4. Easy IEP Help News on October 11, 2010
5. Easy IEP Help News on June 11, 2010

Having poor social skills can be tough for children in school. Other kids don’t want to be around them because they are akward or can’t follow a conversation without interrupting. Or maybe they just make fun of them.

This isn’t always true at every age but somewhere around the middle school years it can be the most difficult. This is also the age where kids begin to recognize their own problems and realize they need to do something about it.

Recent research has suggested that “video modeling” can be an effective way to help them develop the social skills necessary to succeed. Watching videos that show proper social behavior has shown promise that may help these children get on the right track.

Fortunately, Model Me Kids has created an entire series of Autism and Asperger Social Skills Videos. These videos are available for children 2 to 17 years of age and are highly targeted for specific social situations.

Model Me Kids continually updates and adds new videos to its catalog. With an impressive resource development team of doctors and learning specialists, Model Me Kids self-funds their projects and proceeds are used to fund new projects.

If you have a child, or know someone who has a child with Autism or Aspergers and is concerned about developing better socials skills visit Model Me Kids at: www.ModelMeKids.com.

Autism Asperger Social Skills Videos is a post from: Easy IEP Help

Related IEP posts:

1. Social Skills Goals and Objectives
2. Autism, PDD-NOS Research Video
3. Autism IEP
4. Characteristics or Early Signs of Autism Infographic
5. Fast ForWord

The California Academic Performance Index (API) rating system is based on year-over-year test score performance.

Scores range from 200 to 1000, with 800 as the statewide goal for all schools.

Targets are created to encourage schools to improve achievement for all students.

To find the API Scores for your child’s school, visit the Great Schools website and choose your city and school. You can even do a comparison with other schools.

www.GreatSchools.org

California Academic Performance Index (API) Results for 2010 is a post from: Easy IEP Help

Related IEP posts:

1. Easy IEP Help News on October 11, 2010
2. Easy IEP Help News on August 16, 2010
3. Easy IEP Help News on October 22, 2010
4. Easy IEP Help News on June 11, 2010
5. National Anti-Bullying Month

The film is a personal exploration of the current state of public education in America.

The website for the film allows users to Make a Pledge to see the film and receive a gift code to give to classrooms on DonorsChoose.org.

First Book and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt have already pledged to donate 250,000 new books to schools and programs in low-income communities across the country. As more people pledge to see the film they will increase their donations.

www.WaitingForSuperman.com

Waiting For Superman Documentary is a post from: Easy IEP Help

Related IEP posts:

1. Race To Nowhere Film
2. School Lunch Blog: Fed Up With Lunch
3. Elementary Textbooks

There are numerous reasons for starting kids in school a year after eligibility – allowing them to mature, bumping their scholastic scores, or just making sure they’re ready to handle everything.

It was presented to us as an option but we didn’t think it was necessary. Many schools encourage it so they can score better on standardized tests. Now that our oldest is a senior in high school, I sure wish we would have opted in. We’d have an extra year before thinking about college.

For kids with learning disabilities, it may help and it may not. From a social standpoint, the extra year of maturity may be a boon, but the disability won’t disappear. Like everything, each child is different.

If you’re presented with the idea of holding your child back before beginning Kindergarten, there are many things to think about. To help, here’s a great article for some insight:
http://news.yahoo.com

Redshirting Kindergartners? is a post from: Easy IEP Help

Related IEP posts:

1. Are Learning Disabilities Common?
2. Least Restrictive Environment
3. History of Learning Disability
4. Learning Disability Acronyms
5. Race To Nowhere Film

September 8, 2010
- Couldn’t have said it better. Here are some great questions to ask yourself (and provide answers to) as we begin school this Fall.

Easy IEP Help News on September 8, 2010 is a post from: Easy IEP Help

Related IEP posts:

1. Easy IEP Help News on September 26, 2010
2. Easy IEP Help News on October 11, 2010
3. Easy IEP Help News on July 4, 2010
4. Easy IEP Help News on August 7, 2010
5. Easy IEP Help News on October 4, 2010

Nonetheless, I recently had a parent ask me what the definition was for “learning disability,” and to be honest, I can tell you all about it but had to look up the complete definition.

Here is how the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) defines specific learning disability:

“…a disorder in one or more of the basic psychological processes involved in understanding or in using language, spoken or written, that may manifest itself in an imperfect ability to listen, think, speak, read, write, spell, or do mathematical calculations, including conditions such as perceptual disabilities, brain injury, minimal brain dysfunction, dyslexia, and developmental aphasia.”

However, learning disabilities do not include, “…learning problems that are primarily the result of visual, hearing, or motor disabilities, of mental retardation, of emotional disturbance, or of environmental, cultural, or economic disadvantage.” 34 Code of Federal Regulations §300.7(c)(10)

Of course there is more to it than that and I don’t want to sound like the definition is unimportant, but to me it can be broken down to an important point – children with learning disabilities have challenges with one or more of the following:

• reading
• writing
• listening
• speaking
• reasoning
• math

If you suspect your child may have a learning disability, document everything and discuss it with their teacher(s). There’s no shame in having a learning disability, it does not mean your child is dumb, and it does not mean they are lazy, even if they do have a messy room. It means they need help learning and you should do everything you can to help them.

Define Learning Disability is a post from: Easy IEP Help

Related IEP posts:

1. Learning Disability Video
2. Causes of Learning Disability
3. Learning Disability
4. Learning Disability Strategies
5. Learning Disability Statistics

Fast ForWord ® is based on over 30 years of research and more than 1,000,000 students have used the program to boost reading and language skills by improving the processing efficiency of the brain.

The program is a computer-based product that develops cognitive skills, memory, attention, processing, and sequencing. Sound like something your child could use help with in school?

As games, or modules, are played, the student advances until the entire module is completed. Some kids fly through certain games while they struggle with others. The games that are difficult relate to the areas or functions of the brain where they need help the most. The program identifies the individual learning weaknesses and adjusts the difficulty automatically.

All scores are tabulated through a database and weekly accomplishments are recorded and printed out for the parents to review. Each child’s results will vary based on a variety of factors. The program worked well for us and by the end of the summer, we jumped four grades in reading. Can’t wait to put it into practice this year in school.

What are the benefits for the student that completes Fast ForWord?

• Increased Cognitive Skills that are crucial for Reading and Learning
• Improved Listening Skills
• Heightened Engagement in Classroom Discussions
• Increased Self-Esteem and Confidence in Learning

If your child is struggling with reading or learning in school, he/she may be a candidate for Fast ForWord®. Check with your school to see if they offer the program in the district at your next IEP Meeting.

You can also contact Scientific Learning (the creator of the Fast ForWord® family of products) to see if there is a learning center in your area that offers their products.

Scientific Learning
888 358-0212 Toll Free
www.ScientificLearning.com

Fast ForWord is a post from: Easy IEP Help

Related IEP posts:

1. PACE – Processing and Cognitive Enhancement
2. Learning Disability Resources
3. Neural Plasticity (Neuroplasticity, Brain Plasticity) – The Ability of the Brain to Change With Experience
4. Learning Disability Strategies
5. Auditory Processing Disorder – APD

Earobics is a research-based intervention solution that helps with reading achievement for younger students. It is based on over 20 years of research and comes in two versions depending on the age of the child.

The Earobics computer training automatically adjusts to each child’s skill level and a progress chart tracks the skill improvements.

Research shows that most students show improvement from using Earobics for 15 – 20 minutes a day, three times a week.

If your child is having a difficult time with reading, check with your school at the next IEP to see if they offer the program at school.

http://www.Earobics.com

Earobics For Reading Achievement is a post from: Easy IEP Help

Related IEP posts:

1. Earobics
2. Fast ForWord
3. IEP Goals and Objectives for Reading
4. PACE – Processing and Cognitive Enhancement
5. Read Naturally Helps Children Become Better Readers

August 26, 2010
- This page includes Special Education Individualized Education Programs and Forms for six states.

Easy IEP Help News on August 26, 2010 is a post from: Easy IEP Help

Related IEP posts:

1. Easy IEP Help News on August 7, 2010
2. Easy IEP Help News on August 16, 2010
3. Easy IEP Help News on August 3, 2011
4. Easy IEP Help News on July 17, 2010
5. Easy IEP Help News on September 26, 2010

Photo: Jay L. Clendenin for the Los Angeles Times

Most people are in an uproar over the cost but how can you be upset about putting money into a school? It’s okay to spend $1.3 billion on Cowboys Stadium to house the Dallas Cowboys football team, but spend half that amount on schools and you get an argument. ALL schools should be castles. Period. There is no better place to invest than in schools and education.

The United States is arguably the home to more top universities than any other country in the world. It’s a shame that the same can’t be said for our elementary, middle and high schools.

The LAUSD school is no ordinary school, though. It is part school, part public park, and part historical memorial dedicated to Senator Robert F. Kennedy. The land sits on the former site of the Ambassador Hotel where he was assassinated in 1968.

The money to build this state-of-the-art facility came from a voter-approved bond to be used for building schools. It is not to be used for teacher salaries or other expenses. It may not be right but that’s the way it works.

People who are outraged at the cost only see the black and white of the issue – the cost. Included in the cost are seismic codes (it is Los Angeles) and high-tech equipment like wireless internet, smart-boards, and energy saving, green equipment. These things actually save money in the long run.

For example, one smartboard system could cost $5,000 but it replaces an overhead projector, DVD/VCR player, television, and host of other electronic systems that schools now use to teach. And it works more efficiently while introducing some very cool and effective teaching elements. But if you don’t know, you don’t know.

We won’t know if all of this will pay off as good for the students and teachers for some time to come. And we also don’t know what other programs and students services will be rolled into the mix just yet. But let’s hope it’s all positive and it becomes a model for other schools across the country.

Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Taj Mahal is a post from: Easy IEP Help

Related IEP posts:

1. School Lunch Blog: Fed Up With Lunch
2. Starting the School Year With an IEP
3. Accurate Thinking For Parents, Teachers, and Students – Or, What Was on the School Answering Machine
4. Waiting For Superman Documentary
5. National School Lunch Program

I learned this a few years ago when I watched my youngest daughter struggle to ride her bike to school with a backpack full of books. I thought if we had a second set of books at home she wouldn’t need to shuffle books between school and home.

So one night I copied all of the ISBN numbers from her books into Amazon.com and found ALL of them for $4 – $8 used.

Now every year at the beginning of school I buy used textbooks from Amazon for both of my kids so they have their regular set supplied by the school in their locker and another spare set at home for doing homework.

Another great part about having a second set of books at home is you never hear, “I left my books at school so I can’t do homework tonight.”

As parents we’re not always so smart, but every once in a while a bit of brilliance shines through.

Elementary Textbooks is a post from: Easy IEP Help

Related IEP posts:

1. Starting the School Year With an IEP
2. IEP Team
3. IEP Goals and Objectives for Reading
4. Social Skills Goals and Objectives
5. Writing IEP’s and IEP Annual Goals

The good news is there are plenty of Learning Disability Resources available for students that need help with a wide variety of challenges.

Most kids need some form of remedial program that exercises and focuses on cognitive abilities. There’s no “one” answer as to which program or programs work best.

For some kids with reading difficulties, Fast ForWord works wonders. For others, Earobics combined with PACE might work better.

The bad news is many of these programs aren’t offered by the school and you will need to pay for them or see if they’re covered by insurance. But there are many to choose from with new ones being updated or coming to market all the time.

Below is a sampling of some of the most popular Learning Disability Resources and Companies that provide Cognitive Training Tools:

• Advanced Brain Technologies
• AttenGo
• Auditory Integration Training (AIT)
• Brain Gym International
• Brain Performance Center
• BrainSkills
• BrainTrain
• CNS Vital Signs
• CogMed
• CogniFit Inc.
• Cognitive Enhancement Systems
• Cognitive Labs
• Dakim
• Empowered Learning
• Gemstone Foundation
• Generation Fit
• HAPPY Neuron
• Heart Math LLC
• Houghton Mifflin Harcourt – Earobics
• Human Performance Group
• Integrated Listening Systems
• Interactive Metronome
• JWor Enterprises Inc.
• LearningRx – Think Rx
• Lexia Learning Systems
• Lindamood Bell
• Lumos Labs – Lumosity
• Meadowbrook Educational
• My Brain Trainer LLC
• PACE – Processing and Cognitive Enhancement
• Posit Science
• Power Listening Center
• Psychological Software Services
• Read Naturally
• Relax4Life
• Samonas
• Scientific Learning- Fast ForWord
• Sensory Learning Center
• Sirri SenEx
• SOI Systems
• Sound Listening Corp
• TeachTown
• Time 4 Learning
• Unique Logic + Technology

It’s a fairly long list and some of these companies offer more than one program. In the near future I’ll try to break some of these down with basic descriptions of what they offer.

Learning Disability Resources is a post from: Easy IEP Help

Related IEP posts:

1. Fast ForWord
2. PACE – Processing and Cognitive Enhancement
3. Learning Disability Strategies
4. Learning Disability Centers
5. Auditory Processing Disorder – APD

1) Keep good documentation of all school progress and non-progress.

2) Get to know your child’s teachers and let them know of any concerns or things to watch for in school.

3) Show up for the IEP and be involved. You as a parent are your child’s biggest advocate and know them better than anyone.

4) Work on healthy eating habits. This may be a no-brainer but good nutrition is for the body AND the brain. Studies have shown that a proper diet and some added extras like Omega-3s boost brain activity.

5) While you’re at it, make sure your child gets ample physical exercise to open and maintain pathways in the brain.

6) Due your diligence and learn everything you can about your child’s disability. It will pay off.

7) At the IEP, find out if the school or district offers any programs that your child is eligible to take such as Fast ForWord, PACE, Earobics, or any other programs that boost cognitive abilities.

Make sure your child gets adequate sleep.

9) Setup a quiet place to do homework.

10) Most of all, communicate with your child about the difficulties they may be having in school. These may be academic or social.

These are just some of the learning disability strategies you can utilize to ensure your child’s success in school. They may sound simple, and they are, but they need to be put into use to be effective.

Learning Disability Strategies is a post from: Easy IEP Help

Related IEP posts:

1. Fast ForWord
2. Learning Disability Centers
3. Learning Disability Resources
4. History of Learning Disability
5. Neural Plasticity (Neuroplasticity, Brain Plasticity) – The Ability of the Brain to Change With Experience

According to the U.S. Department of Education’s Annual Report to Congress, approximately 20%, or 1 out of every 5 people in the U.S. has a learning disability.

As many as 3 million children under the age of 21 receive special education in school because of a learning disability.

These are some pretty big numbers and more importantly, learning disabilities last a lifetime. If a child has a learning disability, chances are good that one of their parents has one too.

The fact that learning disabilities are so common would lead one to believe that there must be a major source of funding for them in the schools, but contrary to what many parents hear, schools are under-funded when it comes to resources for special education.

The kids that need help the most often times don’t receive it because the schools can’t afford to help them. Many times it’s up to the parents to find help outside the schools.

Are Learning Disabilities Common? is a post from: Easy IEP Help

Related IEP posts:

1. History of Learning Disability
2. Help Schools, Teachers and Parents Understand Learning Disabilities
3. How Processing Affects Kids With Learning Disabilities
4. Understanding Learning Disabilities
5. Teaching Kids About Aspergers and Other Disabilities