A Guide to Special Education and Related Services

This is a mega bundle of my special education parent handouts!

How do I use this?

1. I send components to parents prior to meetings so that they understand the agenda or items that will be discussed.

2. I provide components to parents when we discuss certain topics (i.e., FBA, BIP, Eligibility Categories, etc.).

3. I frequently reference the binder during meetings to provide visuals of what I am discussing. Specifically, I use visuals when describing the various scores that may be discussed or different eligibility categories are being discussed.

I make "parent portfolios" with these documents, a blank copy of an IEP, and procedural safeguards. After referencing these documents so often, I found Pocket Protector Binder to be the most durable.

Included are:

1. IEP Agenda and Flowcharts Visuals
2. Identification of Needed Assessments "Domains" (Illinois State Board of Education) - There are eight different areas that schools are required to consider when suspecting a disability. This form is completed at "Domain Meetings.”
3. Test Scores and Bell Curve Parent Handout
4. NEW - Differences Between a Medical Diagnosis & Determination of a Disability Condition for Education
5. 13 Areas of Disability and the Eligibility Determination Criteria of each Disability (IDEA and Illinois State Board of Education)
6. Eligibility Determination (IDEA)
7. Documentation of a Specific Learning Disability
8. Descriptions of the Components included in an IEP (IDEA)
9. Descriptions of the Present Levels of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance
10. Guidance on Goals and Objectives/Benchmarks
11. Least Restrictive Environment/ Continuum of Support Visual
12. ISBE Autism Considerations Guidance
13. All About 504s; A Guide for Parents and Staff
14. Functional Behavior Assessment & Behavior Intervention Plan Guidance
15. Extra blank page

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IEP Agenda and Flowcharts Visuals

Included in the PDF are two different flowcharts to help explain the special education process to parents. 

The first flowchart describes the process of an IEP from recognition to intervention, to request for evaluation, to eligibility, to tri-annual meetings.  I use this as a visual when I describe the special education process to parents.  Parents have found this to be such a helpful visual to understand the timeline of an evaluation and the steps after eligibility is established.

The second flowchart describes IEP Eligibility and IEP Agenda.  I provide this visual to parents prior to an eligibility meeting so they can understand what to expect.  I also have these visuals at the meeting to help the entire team understand what steps need to be taken and the order of which.  It helps the team stay focused and not jump around.  

Test Scores and Bell Curve Parent Handout

This PDF describes the various test scores that are presented to parents.  What are they? What do they mean? This has been such a helpful visual to provide parents when discussing what different scores mean.  I often get asked, “What do you mean the 50th percentile is Average!?” I can quickly provide a visual of the bell curve and give a short description of percentile ranks using average shoe size.  It has been so helpful inclearing up any confusion! 

Included are descriptions and visuals of: 

-The Bell Curve

-Percentile Rank/ Percentile Score 

-Standard Deviation 

-Mean

-Scaled Score

-Stanine

-Standard Score 

-Grade Equivalents 

Functional Behavior Assessment & Behavior Intervention Plan Guidance

This document describes the components of Functional Behavior Assessment and Behavior Intervention Plan.  It is based on Illinois State Board of Education’s guidance.  However, the components are not “state-specific” and can be used in other states. 

Included are descriptions of the target behavior (skill or performance deficit), what a hypothesis may be, a summary of previous interventions attempted, replacement behaviors for the target behaviors, strategies or supports that will be utilized, motivators and rewards that will be implemented to replace the target behavior with more appropriate behavior, restrictive disciplinary measures/crisis plan, and the data collection process.

Also included is a visual of the FBA process.  It briefly describes why students engage in problematic behavior, how to properly describe the target behavior, how the data can be recorded, common antecedents, common functions, and the flow of the behavior (Antecedent, Behavior, Consequence at a Date/Time, and Setting).  

How do I use this?  I provide this to parents when we are discussing a behavior intervention plan or a functional behavior assessment.  My philosophy is to have parents as educated on the special education processes as possible so that they can be active participants.  

ISBE Autism Considerations Guidance

This document describes the different Autism Considerations that are included in an IEP for a student eligible under the category of Autism.  It is based on Illinois State Board of Education’s guidance.  However, the components are not “state-specific” and can be used in other states.  These considerations must be completed when a student is found eligible under the category of Autism to ensure that all of the student's needs are met.  The pages also provide ISBE guidance on what information should be considered.

Considerations Outlined:

The verbal/nonverbal communication needs of the child

The need to develop social interaction skills and proficiencies

The needs resulting from the student’s unusual responses to sensory experience

The needs resulting from resistance to environmental change or change in daily routines 

The need for any positive behavioral interventions, strategies, and supports to address any behavioral difficulties resulting from Autism Spectrum Disorder

Other needs resulting from the child’s disability that impact progress in the general curriculum, including social and emotional development

How do I use this?  I provide this to parents when we are discussing autism eligibility or when we are going over the IEP.  Parents have said that they were appreciative of this document to help explain their child's many different needs.  It is also helpful for the team to see how we need to support our students.  

All About 504s; A guide for Parents and Staff

This is a PDF that helps guide you and parents through 504s. I use these visuals when discussing the differences between a 504 and IEP with parents. 

Included are:

1. A brief table describes the differences between an IEP and 504 in terms of what it provides, the laws that apply, and eligibility. 

2. Questions and Answers are taken from the Department of Education Guidance on 504s. These two pages describe who is protected under a 504, what it means to have an impairment that “substantially limits a major life activity,” evaluation procedures, and the role of a formal diagnosis. 

3. A flowchart that describes the processes between an IEP and 504 plan.

UPDATE 8/27/18: After purchasing, I will send you an email with EDITABLE pages so that they can be state-specific. Just purchase and then email me at sonia@theschoolpsych.com.