Learn about LRE, inclusion, and common myths
You and your IEP team have discussed all the services your child needs in school, from therapies to aides to assistive technology, and more. What comes next? Where these services will be provided. In an IEP, this is called placement, and it comes hand-in-hand with the least restrictive environment, or LRE, which means that our kiddos should be included in the general education classroom as often as possible.
Placement can be an incredibly emotional topic for some families. Where can my child thrive? Where can they actually LEARN and be appreciated for the person they are? What does “specialized” actually mean, and why does it feel like I don’t actually have a choice in this? This week, we’re exploring educational placement — whether you’re just starting to explore placements from the least restrictive to the continuum of other placements, have a gut feeling that your child isn’t in the appropriate placement, need help discussing inclusion with an IEP team who might not share your vision, or more — we’ve got you covered!
- Want a deep dive into all the educational placements available for your child? Read our article Least Restrictive Environment and Placement Options in an IEP to learn about the continuum of placements from the least restrictive to most restrictive, and how placement is decided.
- Check out our article 3 Things an IEP Expert Wants Parents to Know About FAPE and LRE for tips from special education advocate Dr. Sarah Pelangka to better understand FAPE and LRE (and how you can use the law to advocate for your child).
- Did you know that schools are required to have kids with disabilities learn in the same classrooms as other kids as much as possible? That’s right! If a school says they “don’t do” inclusion, that’s not an acceptable answer. Read our article 5 Biggest Myths About Inclusion for some more myth-busting tips from Dr. Caitlin Solone. For a deeper dive into inclusion, check out our article Inclusion 101.
- Despite the best intentions for collaboration, sometimes parents and districts are unable to find a compromise. If you’ve done everything you can and can’t reach an agreement with the district, you do have options. Check out our article Due Process 101 for a breakdown of the resolution options available to you, such as mediation and due process hearings, and the importance of “stay put.”
April is Autism Acceptance Month! Listening to the needs of people with autism both in school and in the workforce is a great first step toward actively enforcing inclusive practices. Check out our article Autism Acceptance Month 2023 to learn more about areas where we can support our neurodiverse communities.
It’s spring, and statewide assessments are in the air! We hear from many families about the anxiety their kids face with these exams, as well as big misconceptions about what can and can’t be accommodated for students with IEPs or 504 plans. Check out our breakdown here of why state testing for our kids is important for accountability and how you can opt your kiddo out if you feel that’s best for them.
“The 5 Most Important Things to Remember When Advocating in an IEP” virtual event with Undivided Education Advocate Lisa Carey
Join us on Monday, April 17, at 1:00 p.m. PST to hear Undivided Education Advocate Lisa Carey share tips on being empowered and prepared to hold the school district accountable for helping meet your child’s needs. If you can’t attend the event live, RSVP here anyway to get a recap and link to the full replay!
Undivided Conversations: Autism Dietician Brittyn Coleman
Be sure to check out our conversation with autism dietician Brittyn Coleman, MS, RDN/LD, CLT in our new series Undivided Conversations. Brittyn shares how we can get our picky eaters to explore more foods while respecting the deep aversions some of our kiddos can have around food. Our full conversation with Brittyn debuted April 13 at 3:00 p.m. PDT on our Facebook Page and Instagram.
Event Recap: The Ultimate Checklist for IEP Prep
On March 28, we sat down with Undivided Education Advocate Lisa Carey for a Facebook Live event all about navigating the ins and outs of making sure you’re organized and prepared for your upcoming IEP meeting. To review what we learned, check out the highlights in our article The Ultimate Checklist for IEP Prep!
This newsletter was originally sent to our subscribers on 4/13/23. Subscribe to our newsletter to get more resources like this in your inbox, or check out our full library of articles, templates, and videos at undivided.io/resources.
