Beginning School Year Accommodations

Thanks to a 3rd email and CC'ing the Superintendent, I got some things accomplished to help Honeybunches begin his journey to middle school with as much chance for success as possible.

Here is a re-cap of my requests and the important pieces of the school district's response:

1. His current behavioral plan, which references the "Time out space" (The little padded room which existed inside his classroom for 5-6th grade that I always wish I had at home lol) which does not exist at the middle school. I mentioned how we needed to come up with 1-2 other "Safe places" where he could go if things become too much for him sensory wise and an alternative way to deal with unsafe behaviors. I asked about the adjustment counselor he'll have and Officer S who he's familiar with (The school resource officer). I mentioned how pieces of his plan such as home-school communication, sensory breaks, restraint, life space interview and self regulation should still be implemented until another plan is put in place.

I   

     IEP Chairperson's Response:

      "We can absolutely identify appropriate safe spaces. Certainly (Adjustment Counselor)'s office is a natural choice, though it is important to have alternatives as well in case she is out or otherwise engaged....  The Special Education Suite (As another option), as it is the same staff members repeatedly that (Honeybunches) may already know or will quickly become familiar with... Officer S largely deals with issues once they have legal implications.... I would suggest we implement all items of the current behavior plan that are plausible from the start. This is an important aspect of setting things up clearly for (Honeybunches) from the beginning to support his ability to adjust during the transition. My recommendation is to wait a number of weeks prior to developing a new plan so that we have both the time to see any changes in his behavior or patterns, as well as the opportunity to identify potential solutions with some confidence."

2.  I wrote concerns about the cafeteria being too overstimulating for Honeybunches at lunch time, how he voiced concerns about not wanting to go to middle school because of lunch time with "Too many kids", asked if we could come up with another place he could go eat lunch. I also asked about the class aide accompanying Honeybunches to his UA and Gym classes because I have concerns how both of those environments will likely cause him to struggle more behaviorally because of overstimulation and anxiety. I also mentioned how I would have been more comfortable with a 1:1 aide, even for those parts of his day.

 Response:

1.     "It is my desire to have the classroom aide present in the room(s) where (Honeybunches) is attending his Unified Arts and Physical Education classes. In keeping with our desire to start things at (Middle School) for (Honeybunches) in a manner that will promote consistency, I am hesitant to have the aide act in a 1:1 capacity because it removes any incentive for (Honeybunches) to increase his independence and removes the opportunities he might otherwise have to develop the emerging skills he is already showing. Having the paraprofessional present will provide the additional support in terms of assistance navigating social interactions, ensuring (Honeybunches) understands directions, and things of that nature, such that he is being set up for success. Additionally, having the paraprofessional present provides a trusted adult (Honeybunches) can use his words to communicate his feelings to when he is processing emotional responses during these times. This is a crucial element in helping to distinguish what behaviors are the result of emotional dysregulation and what behaviors serve other functions for (Honeybunches), such as escape from task demand. This approach provides (Honeybunches) the support without limiting him in the form of dependence on the adult in question."

I have learned to read into words. "It is my desire..." does not mean something is going to happen! He did make some good points though.  

Response about lunch:

1.     "We can absolutely implement alternative solutions for lunch. The classroom is unlikely to be a good solution because that is also the time staff will be taking their lunch. There are several students who eat lunch with (Adjustment Counselor)t to start the year, and there are a few spaces in the Special Education suite that students can utilize to eat lunch while we work towards building their readiness to navigate the cafeteria. Again a primary factor to consider is the balance between avoiding undue strain and stress on (Honeybunches)'s part with limiting his opportunities to grow and develop the skills necessary to navigate the lunch line and cafeteria setting. It all starts with (Honeybunches) feeling successful though, and if that means eating lunch in an alternate setting to start, that is certainly appropriate."

3. I mentioned concerns about the 1st day of school assembly being too overstimulating for him. 

Response:

1.     "I agree with you about the potential for the assembly to be stressful for (Honeybunches). It should not be difficult to have an alternative for him during that time. As the year progresses we will want to work towards increasing his ability to tolerate and navigate these types of assemblies, such as sitting in the back row, increasing the time he is able to be present, increasing his utilization of processing and regulation skills. One of the many benefits of a program like the program with Mrs. C is that important information can be presented in the small group and repeated from time to time."

     

      4: I wrote about concerns regarding changing for gym (How he can change and dress himself but sometimes needs help getting his shoes back on and tying them, asked if shoes that tie are mandatory and my hopes that the new OT he'll have in middle school will have better luck teaching him. I wrote about these no tie laces.

 

1.     "Accommodations can certainly be made for shoes in physical education class. In my experience, as long as there is appropriate grip on the soles of the shoes, laces are not a key element. The sneaker requirement is more to avoid sandals, heels, dress shoes, boots, and other footwear that limit participation and increase the risk of injury. I am thrilled to hear you obtained those laces and am excited about (Honeybunches) developing both the skill of lacing, and developing functional alternatives."

      He also mentioned how we previously discussed another potential visit with Honeybunches and his teachers for the week before school begins. He suggested that Friday as a good day, because the teachers are "Duty free" that day. They also have another orientation program on August 24-27th.