School just started. What if things go sideways? How do I make sure the school responds appropriately? Sound familiar?
If you’re parenting a child with a disability, you may already be bracing for the call from the teacher, the IEP meeting where “behavior” takes over the conversation, or mornings when your child begs to stay home. If your child is labeled “disruptive,” “non-compliant,” or “a lot,” it’s easy for the focus to become what they’re doing instead of why they’re doing it — and what they need.
School behaviors: what’s really going on?
- The school called and said my child bolted from the classroom again. What’s the actual plan for next time?
- My child refuses to go to school, no matter what we try. Are they anxious, overwhelmed, or avoiding something? What am I missing?
- My child seems defiant, anxious, and shut down all at once. Is this PDA?
Making sense of behavior supports at school
- I keep hearing my child needs an FBA. What is that, and do we actually need one?
- My child has a behavior intervention plan (BIP) — but is it actually a good one? 10 do’s and don’ts to check.
- Something feels off with my child’s aide. Am I imagining it? Tips for addressing common issues with school aides.
- My child’s IEP has a behavior goal but I’m worried it’s focused on stopping “bad” behavior instead of helping my child. What should I be looking for?
Numbers to note: 80%
When your child is struggling with challenging behavior, restraint and seclusion shouldn’t be the go-to for schools. Positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS) has been shown to reduce challenging behavior by 80% in two-thirds of cases, and has been linked to 25% fewer restraints and 59% fewer seclusions. Learn what to do if the school includes restraint or seclusion in your child’s plan.
Hot topics
- Top 10 things parents wish teachers knew about behavior in school
- Do’s and don’ts when your child refuses to go to school
- Is your school really using PBIS? 3 questions to ask
A better way to introduce your child
I’m worried my child’s new teacher won’t have time to read their entire IEP. How can I make sure they know what matters most?
Undivided’s newest feature turns your child’s IEP or 504 into a personalized, shareable one-page profile that gives teachers, therapists, and support staff a quick snapshot of your child’s strengths, communication style, needs, triggers, calming strategies, accommodations, and goals. See it in action in this quick video:
Undivided Conversations → Streaming on Facebook and YouTube
- Keeping Kids Safe: Navigating Elopement → Saturday, August 22, 10:00 a.m. PT. Learn why elopement happens, how to reduce risk, and how to build safety supports into your child’s IEP or 504.
- Pathological Demand Avoidance 101 → Sunday, August 23, 10:00 a.m. PT. Learn why PDA is often misunderstood and how to better support kids and adults with a PDA profile.
Office hours → Wednesday, August 26, 12:00 p.m. PT
If you have questions about your child’s accommodations, services, goals, or anything else in their IEP, join us for office hours with non-attorney education advocate Karen Ford Cull. Her specialty is inclusion! During office hours, you can ask your question in our members-only Zoom session and get answers right away. Sign up here to participate→
FREE live Q&A → Turn Your Child’s IEP into an Advocacy Plan: an IEP Assistant Walkthrough
Prep for discussions with your IEP team like never before! Undivided’s IEP Assistant is debuting new features like the ability to upload assessments and private reports to get even more personalized insights on how to strengthen your child’s IEP. Join us on Thursday September 17, 12:00 p.m. – 12:30 p.m. PT for a FREE webinar with CEO Seth Besse, who will give you an up-close-and-personal tour of the IEP Assistant and answer questions about how it all works. RSVP here to sign up→
New for Undivided members → The Parent Circle
The Parent Circle is a welcoming monthly gathering over Zoom where parents can connect with other parents who understand this journey. Led by a licensed therapist specializing in supporting parents of children with disabilities, who brings lived experience as a parent of a child with extra support needs, each session offers thoughtful conversation, practical coping strategies, and plenty of room for honest, real-life discussion. There is no pressure to share — whether you come to listen, connect, or contribute, you are welcome. Our first session is Thursday, September 24, 12:30 p.m. PT. This event is open to Undivided members only, so if you’re a member, RSVP here→
So many IEP team conversations can get focused on our kids’ challenges. What about their strengths and special talents? Join the conversation in our parents-only Facebook group→
Why are children with autism more likely to elope? Hear the answer from Dr. Sally Burton-Hoyle on YouTube — and how to help→
How does using Undivided’s All About Me tool save you time telling new teachers about how to work with your child successfully? Hear from one parent on Instagram→
Help make the back-to-school season easier for more families! Share Undivided’s free resources on LinkedIn→
