Written by: Kimberly Saavedra, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
How can I tell if my child is in the right placement?
If your child has a disability and your top priority concerns for your child’s needs are being met, then they are in the right placement.
What should I do if I think my child's placement might not be right for them?
If your top priority concerns for your child’s needs are not being met, then there are steps you can take to ensure your child is getting the most appropriate placement for their learning needs.
First, it’s important to know that your school team will pick the placement they initially see that best fits your child based on their assessments, observations and how your child’s function and academic performance are adversely affected by their disability.
However, your school team may not always see what you see. You know your child best. If your top priority concerns for the skills and development, your child requires are not being addressed or they are not making progress, then they might not be in the most appropriate placement.
Communicate with your school IEP Team In writing, (this can be an email) request a team meeting to discuss your concerns.
Be prepared for your meeting. Since you are the one requesting the meeting, have a collaboration letter prepared that lists all your questions, concerns, input, and ideas and send it to your school team prior to the meeting day. This way, your school team will be able to collaborate with you and give you data and observations on what is taking place in the classroom setting.
During your meeting, if the facts and data given are still not meeting your child’s needs, ask your team for their Full Continuum of Placements.
Meaning what placement, services and accommodation options are offered within the whole entire school district.
The school building your child attends may not be equipped to provide the needed services and/or sensory rooms to accommodate your child’s needs. But that does not mean the district does not offer these in other school buildings.
Another placement option to meet your child’s needs may be a therapeutic day school. Your District would be the one to provide transportation and cover tuition costs if that is deemed the most appropriate placement for your child.
Also, you are not limited to the district’s list of therapeutic day schools. You can do your own research and visit other therapeutic day schools that are not on the district list. Just be sure to let your district know so you can coordinate with them.
Before you choose any placement option, whether it be another school building in your district or a therapeutic day school outside the district, you want to request to visit each placement option while school is in session.
This way, you will be able to see the classroom environment while students are in classes and determine which placement is most appropriate for your child’s learning needs.
Love & Light Always,
Kim Saavedra, IEP Coach & Author ‒ Creator of Jadon’s Reading Gems
If you like this article and want to learn more about me as an IEP Coach and how I help families navigate and understand their child’s individualized special education plans and how I help families collaborate between home and school teams, I invite you to follow me on Facebook, Instagram or visit my website.
Kimberly Saavedra, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Kim Saavedra is a mom of two boys that were both born with Autism and ADHD. Her personal journey through Therapies, Education, Special Diet, Bio-Medical, and Resources, has led her family on the path to recovery. Her perspective of recovery is not limited to Autism. Her perspectives apply to all families with disabilities and for all children to have Positive Self Image, Confidence, Awareness of Their Value and Awareness of Their Purpose in Life and Apply Their Talents and Gifts in a positive manner and enlighten the world we all share. It is through her personal experiences in raising her boys and being a successful advocate for them in the education system as well as their voice when they didn’t have a voice for themselves that has led her to become an IEP Coach and help other families bring successful collaboration between their home and school teams. Kim Saavedra is an author and creator of Jadon’s Reading Gems for children’s books and the parent guidebook series on IEP school meeting team success.
