Inspire Inclusion By Dr. Julie Causton ~ VIDEO #2: Legal Aspects of Inclusive Education

Inspire Inclusion

Video #2: Legal Aspects of Inclusive Education Dr. Julie Causton 

http://www.inspireinclusion.com/video-2-legal-aspects-of-inclusive-education/ HERE

IDEA Supplementary Aides & Services Check List to take to IEP meetings! HERE

http://www.inspireinclusion.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/checklist_full.pdf HERE

I am thankful for and inspired to share with you one of the Top Experts in supporting Inclusion for ALL students into neighborhood schools & classrooms they would attend if they didn't have a disability! ~ Dr. Julie Causton

Her Video's and website are JAMMED PACKED with the tools needed to Advocate for our Children to be provided an Inclusive Education. Sign up to receive more useful resources Dr. Julie Causton provides!

This is the Meat & Potatoes!!!!
Have a Great Day!
Pass it on!! 

Nancy and Mariah
321 Fun ~ Mariah's Life!

SPD = Sensory Processing Disorder ~ The Chronicles of Ellie Bellie Bear

Sensory Processing Disorder ~ The Chronicles of Ellie Bellie Bear

So What Exactly Is SPD? 

If you happen to be like me, Sensory Processing Disorder [SPD] is a new experience and a bit confusing.  Okay, it is really confusing.  As you start to read all of the checklists and behaviors that might be associated with said disorder, you start to think “hey, I have that.” or “OMG, my child has that for sure!”.  The fact of the matter is that everyone has some of the behaviors on the checklists and that is absolutely typical.  It is true.  What makes it a disorder is that it affects one’s ability to complete tasks, learn, and / or communicate.  The sensory issues are so severe that they impact daily activities of living [ADL].

History:
While SPD may seem like a relatively new phenomenon, it was studied by Dr. Anna Jean Ayred, PhD, OTR since the 1960s where she coined the term “sensory integration dysfunction”.Ever hear of the book “The Out-Of-Sync Child” by Carol Stock Kranowitz from 1995?  This author touches on SPD and that was in the mid-1990’s. Since then, starting around 2007, Sensory Processing Disorder and Sensory Integration Disorder have become more widely studied.   HOWEVER, there is no actual ICD-9 medical code for SPD. . . YET.  An ICD-9 is a diagnostic code used by medical providers, OTs, etc.  For example, Down Syndrome has a ICD-9 code of 758.0 Without an ICD-9 code, billing to insurance and obtaining therapies is rather difficult.  

How is it that a disorder that has been around for over 50 years does not even have its own diagnostic code?  How is it that there is no definitive diagnostic tool for SPD?

http://ellietheurer.blogspot.com/p/sensory-processing-disorder.html

The Chronicles of Ellie Bellie Bear continues because I want the world to see what I see just how wonderful and utterly perfect my daughter is, designer genes and all.  That our little Bear-Bear has more determination and motivation than most adults I know and that she is surpassing all of our expectations.  That, yes, there are challenges and yes, sometimes thing are hard, but Ellie is our beautiful, sassy daughter who completes our family.

*A note from DS Advocate Blog writer, Nancy Linley-Harris: I like to share fellow bloggers stories that help educate society to a better understanding of 'our world' of raising a wonderfully unique person with Down syndrome. If you are interested in having one of your stories featured and shared on one of my blogs please send me a link to your story. 
HaPpY Blogging!! 
Nancy ~ DS Advocate

Steve Moyer: Broward County School Board's top priority must be the kids

Steve Moyer: Broward County School Board's top priority must be the kids

"...the dysfunction that exists in the Exceptional Student Education Department, and the legal department that supports them. While the district has an anti-bully policy regarding students, the ESE and legal department has free rein to bully the families of ESE students at will. The department uses the district's well-oiled and taxpayer-funded inhouse legal firm to support the denial of mandated services, trample civil rights and take the path of least resistance in what, for some students, is little better than babysitting."

"The School Board refuses to see this failure and supports the status quo as the path of least resistance. They may address problems individually, but refuse to act systemically citing "school-based management" as an excuse for their inability to take action."

"The ESE Department continues their habit of quoting non-existent policy or factual inaccuracies in the hope that repetition will make them correct, all the while forgetting that they exist only to serve the students."


READ FULL ARTICLE by clicking on this link: 
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/opinion/fl-readers-view-school-board-20130221,0,1615516.story#tugs_story_display


BROWARD SCHOOL BOARD LEGAL DEPARTMENT ARE THE BULLIES AND DON'T CARE ABOUT EDUCATION OF STUDENTS! 

The legal department takes advantage of GOOD PARENTS trying to make sure their child is being EDUCATED. Then the school doesn't talk to you, because your Child's IEP Document is now in a "STAY-PUT." Teachers give minimal collaboration in the first place, but certainly ONCE A PARENT FILES for a DUE PROCESS or FILES A COMPLAINT.....any collaboration that was barely there in the first place stops! 

Broward schools is only interested in taking our Children's ESE MATRIX FUNDS! EVERY PARENT NEEDS TO KNOW HOW MUCH MONEY THEIR CHILD "BRINGS INTO THE DISTRICT"....so they know how much our Children are being taken advantage of not only by NOT EDUCATING OUR CHILDREN, but by STEALING THE FUNDS THAT ARE MEANT TO EDUCATE OUR CHILDREN!

Go on VIRTUAL COUNSELOR and be sure to know what your Child's MATRIX NUMBER IS, that number correlates to a DOLLAR AMOUNT....a good amount  chunk of change $$dollar$$ amount! 

Parents should know and find out what the MATIX FUND dollar $$ amount is WORTH for your Child! Those MATRIX FUNDS, the District USES and then DENIES ESE SERVICES & SUPPORT to our Children that need it.

It is Disgusting to me the amount of LIES so many PROFESSIONALS will do, just to keep their JOBS! It's not about education anymore, it's absolutely about STEALING THE MATRIX FUNDING OUR ESE STUDENTS BRING INTO A DISTRICT! 

BROWARD HAS GOT TO BE THE LEADER IN WASTEFUL ESE MATRIX FUND SPENDING!

The ESE Department does NOT CARE ABOUT THE ESE STUDENTS EDUCATION and absolutely does not care about the ESE parents 'voice!' The ESE Department is glad, in fact ENCOURAGE PARENTS TO FILE, they "dare you to file!!"...and then when parents "FILE", then their "partners" aka the LEGAL DEPARTMENT takes over the ESE Parent BULLYING!! 

The ESE Department and the Legal Department in Broward Schools need a complete transformation of employees! They all cover each others backs, they all want to keep their jobs....on the backs of many many deserving students needing Exceptional Student Education SERVICES & SUPORTS!

My recommendation to ESE PARENTS ~ FILE FILE FILE help make it be known that your child is not getting ESE Services & Supports that you as a parent know your child needs and should be getting at the Public School your child attends.

ESE PARENTS

Just Do It!

FILE A COMPLAINT!

FILE FOR A DUE PROCESS!

READ FULL ARTICLE by clicking on this link: 
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/opinion/fl-readers-view-school-board-20130221,0,1615516.story#tugs_story_display

Little Children & Due Process

Today it's Aniah's day in COURT! Broward School District filed for a Due Process Hearing. Aniah's mother DID NOT AGREE WITH the content of the Psycho-Educational EVALUATION that the school Psychologist wrote up about her. Mom was in disagreement on several things, one mainly being that she was evaluated from the schools perspective as if she were a child with Autism and not a child with Down syndrome.

Mom disagreed with several inconsistencies pertaining to her daughters true academic abilities that the school psychologist had written into the report. So she disagreed with the PSYCHO-EDUCATIONAL REPORT and the school district believes it was accurate. Therefore the School District takes the Parent to Due Process!

*Parent requested a second opinion or an IEE=Independent Educational Evaluation at PUBLIC EXPENSE. Parent Request was DENIED!

It has been a Roller-Coaster Ride of emotions and stress to say the least on the entire family. Not only that but a financial burden as well.

Today at the Due Process Hearing, mom took her daughter, Aniah with her to meet the ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE. Aniah was a perfect Angel during the entire proceedings that lasted a few hours. She finally was able to go ask him what his name was and snap a few photos when the Due Process Hearing was over.

Having a school district TAKE YOU TO DUE PROCESS is no fun, absolutely but the "process" is an amazing opportunity for parents & the entire family to learn just how "nasty" the schools legal department can make things on an involved parent, that is advocating for their Child's Education!

Outcome of this Particular Due Process Hearing: Our Children's Individual Educational Planning is NOT UP TO THE DISTRICTS LEGAL & DUE PROCESS DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEES!! 

....for the record....we have THAT in writing via the COURT REPORTER on the TRANSCRIPTS from Aniah's Due Process Hearing!

Glad this chapter is over!

1 HOUR 15 Minute IEP Meetings ~ PURE NONSENSE!!

Why do some schools only allow for just an 1 HOUR & 15 minutes to have an  ANNUAL IEP meeting that also needs to include the Matriculation into Kindergarten and now also a Reevaluation Plan meeting??? 


*That's right all that NEEDED to be covered in just a ONE HOUR & 15 MINUTE IEP MEETING! Who are they kidding? 




How can anyone even think so much can be covered and worked on "collaboratively" in an hour & 15 minutes? 


BROWARD ESE DEPARTMENT ~ WHY & HOW DO ESE SPECIALIST CONTINUE TO GET AWAY WITH DOING THIS TO FAMILIES YEAR AFTER YEAR?


Pure deliberate nonsense I say! 

To My Old Master ~ A CONFIDENT - Educated SELF ADVOCATE!

This letter is so beautifully crafted and perfectly articulated to get into writing a snapshot of what happened and trying to be collaborative in the process of providing written knowledge of what happened to him as a SLAVE for 32 years to his Old Master.


This is a letter that shows he ~ gets it ~ he understands what his rights are, he sought out getting himself educated on the laws and moved forward with enthusiasm, perserverence and pride to move on and make sure his daughters got the full package of a quality education! He is a proud and confident man!


I love this letter because, this is the sort of letter that shows true strong parent advocacy skills! 


If you are a parent working hard to make sure your children are receiving a quality education today and maybe your child has some unique special learning needs, then make sure you do your homework first and know what your rights are! Take the time to learn the policies and laws. Regularly added trainings and conferences to widen your knowledge base. Stay connected to others going through same and similiar things. Learn that if it isn't in writing......it didn't happen or it wasn't said. Document things that happen. 


Have you ever heard of writing a letter to a stranger? This is exactly that! Here we are reading something from years ago that provides a look into our History and how things were and the people's true Spirit! Write your letters like this man did, to his Old Master, so your pride and confidence shines through as his does in this letter!


Share this letter, it's worth reading this tiny snippet of history from a true advocate!


http://www.lettersofnote.com/2012/01/to-my-old-master.html Click this link or Title of this post to read the letter to My Old Master.










*Follow my Blog! Sign up and follow....on 
the right side of this site, see my other Blogs!

WOW!!! Such Discrimination stories!! *it's 2011 folks!

MyVSY.com http://myvsy.com/The%20Story.htm
Click on the link above here to read some pretty incredible and upsetting stories from parents and their Children trying to obtain an education. 


I never really knew how much this was really happening around me! I have a son with ADHD and a daughter with Down syndrome, it hasn't been easy getting the two of them educated. I have had my own situations I could discuss here, but would rather have you check out this website called: My VSY.com ~ check it out!

Down syndrome Inclusive Educational Strategies

Schools who let one criterion, such as a specific disability, automatically determine the placement are likely to be held in violation of federal law.

~ Supreme Court - Board of Education v. Rowley ~

"Inclusion is a right, not a special privilege for a select few".
~ Federal Court - Oberti v. Board of Education ~

"Separate educational facilities are inherently unequal"
~ Supreme Court - Brown v. Board of Education ~

All children with disabilities are to be educated to
the "maximum extent" with children who do not have disabilities.
~ Federal Law I.D.E.A. Sec. 612.5 (A) ~

Elementary & Secondary Education - What is Inclusion?
http://www.ndss.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=58&Itemid=83&limitstart=3

Elementary & Secondary Education - Tips for Teaching Students with Down syndrome
http://www.ndss.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=58&Itemid=83&limitstart=2

A for Accountability Award!

A for Accountability Award - we all should be working on this award!
Read over on the RIGHT HAND SIDE of this link (in the blue)...interesting reading for sure!

Everyone one of us needs to speak up for what is true and right!

Parent Advocates.org is a great resource - enjoy!

http://www.parentadvocates.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=article&articleID=484

Advocating ~ means being on your toes...

Advocating...

You are their first teacher of every little thing 

Celebrate big & small accomplishments

Stay up-to-date with current information

Be CONFIDENT in your parenting role

Praise & be Joyful in the little things

As a parent you do not get a day off 

Work together for the common goal

Being on your toes.....ALL the time

Stand tall knowing what you know 

Have good working relationships

Share with others your concerns

Educate one person at a time

Meet others in the same boat

Go to trainings & conferences

Attend National Conventions

You know your Child BEST 

Speak up for your Child

Guidance for Safety

Positive redirection 

Praise to success

Protect your Child

Share solutions

Be organized

Help others

Be strong

Volunteer

Smile

Love

Hug

Cry

'o)

Created by Nancy Linley-Harris

Feb. 24, 2011

Pledge for Parental Involvement

Pledge for Parental Involvement

I pledge to support my child's education
to the best of my ability.
I will have high expectations for my child
to succeed in school and in life.
I will make my child's education a priority,
and model positive actions and attitudes.
I will partner with my child's school
to ensure I am informed and involved
in all aspects of my child's education,
and I will be an active advocate
for my child's education.
I understand that education is the key
to success, and will do everything I can
to nurture my child's ability to learn.

*November is Parental Involvement Month
I received this saying at a Title I Parent Training

ParentAdvocactes.org

Great website and resource!

http://www.parentadvocates.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=contribute

God Doesn't Make Mistakes .......a video & song

This is just beautiful!! SHARE THIS WITH THE WORLD!

HOMEWORK POLICY ~ Broward Public Schools

HOMEWORK POLICY ~ Broward Public Schools
Hope this link (click above) is helpful!
It would be a good idea to print out the HOMEWORK POLICY and keep a copy handy whenever you have a parent teacher conference and need to make reference to your Child's homework. This policy says it all and I'm sure will be very useful for many!

Did you know it is suggested that the total time to do homework should be 10 minutes per the grade. So say a 5th grader should have a TOTAL of 50 minutes of homework and say a 9th grader should have a TOTAL of 90 minutes of homework assigned per day.

This homework policy was written by our school board members....let's be sure our Children benefit from it! Are teachers and staff aware of this policy and what it says? Tell another parent about this policy and share the link with them so they too can print it out and know what this policy states.

Enjoy!