Do you have a child with autism, or a learning disability that is in a regular classroom? Do you have a child with another disability that is in a self contained classroom, and you would like them to receive some mainstreaming? This article will discuss the individuals with disabilities education act (IDEA) requirements, for least restrictive environment (LRE), and how you can use them to benefit your child’s education.
IDEA states: “To the maximum extent appropriate, children with disabilities . . . are educated with children who are non disabled.” What this means is that children with disabilities, have the right to be educated with children without disabilities.
IDEA also states: “Special classes, separate schooling or other removal of children with disabilities from the regular educational environment occurs only if the nature and severity of the disability is such that education in regular classes with the use of supplementary aids and services cannot be achieved satisfactorily.”
IDEA requires a continuum of placement options. These options start in the regular classroom go to a special class, special school, hospital program etc.
Ways to use LRE to help your child:
1. Use the requirements of LRE, to gain access for your child to the regular classroom curriculum. Many studies have shown that children with disabilities that have access to the regular education curriculum, do better in their education. LRE requires that placement option discussions need to start at the regular classroom, and then become more restrictive, as the child’s disability warrants.
2.If your child requires a self contained placement, use the requirements of LRE to help them receive mainstreaming. When a child is young 5-9 years, there are a lot of opportunities for interaction with non disabled children. Lunch, recess, arts and crafts, music, special parties or projects. Children with behavioral issues can learn appropriate behavior by having contact with non disabled children.
3. Use the LRE requirements of IDEA to get your child a placement other than the regular classroom, if their educational needs require it. Many school districts only offer an inclusive (regular education) placement; which they are not allowed to do under the “continuum of placement options” in IDEA.
4. Use the LRE requirements of IDEA to get your child “supplementary aids and services” that will help your child succeed in the regular classroom. These aids and services can be anything that your child needs in order to benefit from a regular classroom placement. For Example: A classroom aide, an individual aide, shorter assignments, tape recorder, modified curriculum, modified or shorter tests, ability to take tests verbally, etc. The list is endless, just depends on your child’s educational needs.
By knowing the least restrictive environment requirements, you will be able to successfully advocate for the placement that will meet your child’s educational needs. Remember that LRE is different for each child, depending on their disability and needs.
By: JoAnn Collins
Posts Tagged ‘Education Curriculum’
Special Education – 3 Benefits Your Child Could Receive From an Inclusive Placement
October 30th, 2009
Are you considering an inclusive placement for your child with autism,
or learning disabilities? Would you like to know what benefits, your
child with a disability could gain by being in an inclusive placement?
This article will discuss what inclusion is, and what positive things
your child can receive, from an inclusive placement. Remember,
inclusion is not for every child with a disability, but it is an
option.
Inclusion is a type of placement that is available, for any child with
a disability. The education takes place in the regular classroom. This
could be a full time inclusive placement or a part time, whatever your
child needs to benefit from their education.
3 Benefits:
1. In an inclusive setting, your child will have access to the regular
education curriculum. What this means, is that your child will
hopefully receive the same educational instruction, as children
without disabilities. Parents and special education personnel, should
have high expectations for children with disabilities, and access to
the regular education curriculum may be what the child needs.
2. In a inclusive setting, your child will also receive district wide
and state testing. This testing will bring about accountability for
your child, and will also help you understand if they are not
learning, and need a more intense placement. Keep copies of all
district and state wide testing, in case a dispute occurs between
yourself and school personnel.
3. In an inclusive setting, your child will have a greater access to
children without disabilities, which will help them develop
appropriate social skills. Children with disabilities have the right
to be educated with children without disabilities, to the maximum
extent appropriate.
Remember, that if your child is in a regular classroom, they have the
right to supplementary aids and services, that will help them benefit
from a regular education classroom. These could be anything that your
child needs; a classroom assistant, and individual assistant, shorter
assignments, shorter tests, etc. These supplementary aids and services
will help your child succeed in a regular classroom.
By understanding what benefits your child can receive from an
inclusive placement, you will be better able, to make an informed
decision about placement. What is most important is what placement
your child needs in order to learn.
By: JoAnn Collins
