KSW Educational Concepts
  • Welcome
  • Who is KSW
  • What we do
  • Contact
  • Blog
  • Parent Resources

Is it Really a Lack of Executive Functioning OR Are we Just Asking Kids to Remember Too Much?

1/30/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture

Another meeting, another lightbulb - but for who? This meeting was at a middle school for a boy that has some significant needs. He has had an IEP since 4th grade. One of his major issues is 
handing in work. Coupled with being a slow worker and wanting to do everything himself, much of his work does not get graded. I will not go into all aspects of the conversation just this one highlight.

The principal of the school sat in on the meeting. This was the first time he was there. This was not an IEP meeting but rather a meeting to address some continuing ‘behavioral’ supports. Mom brought up her sons’ grades which reflect a lot of ‘missing assignments’. In one class he got a zero, although, almost all the work is done in class and the teacher admits to seeing the student doing the work and the work itself. The student says the work is done, and it often is, But it is not handed in.

The principal asked how classwork and homework are submitted. One of the teachers responded - directly from one or more of our computer programs. Another indicated on paper. One said homework is only collected one day a week. The principal then remarked ‘Oh so each teacher has a different way of collecting homework? ”No, they responded - there are multiple ways in each class.

Thank goodness this principal understood immediately what needed to happen for this student to be successful. Success with accomplishing the task of submitting work. Success in raising his grades. Success in understanding that finishing your work includes handing it and and thereby doing better in school.
We brainstormed multiple systems that might work best for him. The team at the table settled on two choices. The principal offered to have a discussion with the student on what it means to complete the work - handing it in.

The student would get to choose between the two choices. His EC teacher would assist him in implementing it with success. The principal would make sure all teacher’s implemented the Change.

If the system seems too complicated. It is too complicated a system. The goal is to hand in the completed work. You may just have to adjust the goal posts. A deliberate Super Bowl Connection!
​

Is your child struggling with a system or learning? Make sure you know the difference.

0 Comments

Notes from Two of This Week's IEP Meetings

1/28/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
A quick note from a meeting I attended this week.
The student is doing very well academically yet continues to struggle with the social components of life. These needs impact him now and may become even more impactful as he will be expected to work effectively with groups in a variety of settings. This is an important life skill for most of us at some point in time.
Speech Language Teacher (SLP): I am doing in class support (pragmatic language/group work) but when I go in to class he is usually working alone, so I am not really getting to do much. Some people just like to work alone. I do not want to force him to join a group when I come in.

My (Advocate) Suggestion: Can you arrange to go into the classroom at a time when group work is being done? Also, check-out social interaction during lunch, PE, recess, etc. Outcome: SLP will check with classroom teacher(s) when group work will be taking place so she can arrange her schedule to provide appropriate support. She will observe at lunch etc. to see with whom, and how. her student engages with peers. She will use this information to guide her work with the student.
This is a quick reminder that how delivery of support/interventions/therapies is provided is key to an effective IEP. Number of times of service is easy to satisfy (4 times a marking period, 3 times a quarter, etc). Meeting the need during those delivery times is the only way a goal can be met. By the way, another support professional mentioned she really is not doing to much when she works with him. We added other components of support to meet his identified needs that she could effectively deliver.
Make sure your child is getting the support they need not just time in a log book. It is never OK to say I am meeting my required support time and not deliver the service.

Not sure what is happening for your child. Do not assume. Ask. Not sure what to ask? Reach out today.

0 Comments

    Author

    Kathi is a retired educator who is passionate about helping children succeed in school and in life.

    Archives

    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly
Photos used under Creative Commons from US Department of Education, ironmancurling
  • Welcome
  • Who is KSW
  • What we do
  • Contact
  • Blog
  • Parent Resources