Are you the parent of a young child, who is receiving special education services, that is concerned about whether your child has the needed skills, to learn how to read? Are you a parent of an older child with autism or a learning disability, that is concerned about your child’s reading success. This article will discuss 5 skills that No Child Left Behind (NCLB) states, are identified by research as critical to early reading success. These skills were found in the No Child Left Behind parent Guide.
Skill 1: Phonemic Awareness: Is the ability to hear and identify sounds in spoken words.
Skill 2: Phonics: Is the relationship between the letters of written language and the sounds of spoken language.
Skill 3: Fluency: Is the capacity to read text accurately and quickly.
Skill 4: Vocabulary: Is the words students must know to communicate effectively.
Skill 5: Comprehension: Is the ability to understand and gain meaning from what has been read.
You should make sure, that any reading program that is used for your child with a disability, to teach them how to read, contain these 5 skills. No Child Left Behind requires that any educational program used should be scientifically research based. What this means is that the education program (reading program), must have research to show that the program is effective to teach children to read.
In 2000 the Report of the National Reading Program identified these 5 skills as critical to children learning to read early. In April 2000 these research findings were reported in the National Reading Panel, they have now been written into the NCLB law. Reading first is the program that was started under No Child Left Behind, to help school districts to improve reading achievement.
By making sure that your child’s reading program contains these five skills, you will be increasing your child’s chances of learning to read. You must be involved with your child’s education to ensure that the child continues to make academic progress, and learns to read. Reading gives children a chance at a fulfilled life!
By: JoAnn Collins
Posts Tagged ‘Parenting Tips’
Parenting Tips – 5 Skills That NCLB State Are Critical to Early Reading Success
March 19th, 2010Parenting Tips – What is Applied Behavioral Analysis and Can it Treat My Child With Autism?
January 26th, 2010
Are you the parent of a young child with autism? Did you know that
there is a behavioral treatment for autism, called applied behavioral
analysis (ABA)? This article will educate you about ABA, so that you
can advocate special education personnel for this effective therapy.
Applied behavioral analysis is a well documented and effective
teaching method for many children with autism. This method involves 1
on 1 instructional sessions and utilizes educational tasks that have
been developed for autism.
This method was designed by O.I. Lovaas. His study in 1987, in
Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology showed “90% of children
substantially improved when utilizing the Lovaas Model of ABA compared
to the control. Close to half of the group attained a normal IQ and
tested with in the normal range on adaptive and social skills.”
Several follow up studies also showed major improvements in most
children with autism, that have received ABA.
For ABA to be most effective the child needs to start as close to age
3 as possible, or at least by age 5. The ABA program needs to be 1 on
one for 30-40 hours per week. The child should continue receiving the
intense ABA program, for at least 3-4 years. The cost is high,
$30-50,000 per year. This is why many parents set up the program at
home, and seek reimbursement from their school district. Check out ABA
caselaw at http://www.wrightslaw.com
While some states have passed autism specific private insurance
mandates, only three states specifically require payment for ABA.
These states are: South Carolina, Texas, and Indiana. Florida has
pending legislation as of April 24, 2008.
It is critical that the person that designs the program is a
professional in behavior analysis with a masters or doctorate degree.
This person should also have experience in working with children with
autism. This person is also responsible for supervising the teacher
assistants, training and meeting with them to go over your child’s
progress.
A wonderful book on ABA is “Behavior Intervention for Young Children
With Autism” which is edited by Catherine Maurice and Co edited by
Gina Green and Stephen C. Luce.
There are many organizations that have information on Autism and
Applied Behavioral Analysis. Some of these organizations are: Defeat
Autism Now, Cure Autism Now, and Autism Speaks.
By understanding what ABA is, how it can be used to treat children
with autism, the positive outcome for most children receiving it, you
will be able to advocate for your own child. It may be a fight with
special education personnel, but your child is worth it!
By: JoAnn Collins
6 Parenting Tips To Help You Assertively Participate In Your Child’s IEP
December 30th, 2009
Are you the parent of a child with a disability in special education,
who would like parenting tips on how to be an equal participant
in your child’s Individual Education Plan (IEP) development? Are
you afraid to give your opinion, because you are not a professional?
Then this article is for you; learn 6 easy to use tips that will help
you assertively participate in the process, for the good of your
child.
Tip 1: Ask a lot of questions. The process can be overwhelming;
The IEP meeting usually has 5-10 disability educators plus the
parents. Ask questions whenever you need to, so that you can
understand what is being said, by school personnel.
Tip 2: Ask the disability educator to slow down, and explain
something that you do not understand. Sometimes school personnel
speak very fast, and do not stop to explain what they are
talking about. This is especially true, when they are giving parents
results of a psychological evaluation. You should ask them to show
you the results of the tests and explain what the scores mean.
Tip 3: Bring a written list of items that you would like to discuss at
the meeting; it can be hand written or typed. Check off each item
as it is discussed. Leave space at the bottom of the list to handwrite
any new issues that come up at the meeting.
Tip 4: Consider bringing a parent input statement to your child’s IEP
meeting. A parent input statement is a one page document that states
what you believe your child’s needs are, and what special education
services your child needs. It should be typed, if possible, and ask
that it be attached to your child’s IEP.
Tip 5: Use the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to
support your position. Peter and Pam Wright have written several
books including Special Education Law; second addition. This book is
easy to read, and use as a reference at any school meetings.The book
can be purchased at http://www.wrightslaw.com.
Tip 6: Read the IEP document before you leave the meeting. What was
said at the meeting is not important, what is important is what is
written in the document. Make sure that any important discussions
about your child are included in the meeting notes, and that all
educational services promised are listed.
With these 6 tips, you are well on your way to learning to assertively
participate in your child’s IEP meeting. You know your child better
than school personnel, so you have a lot of valuable
information to share with the team. Good luck in your advocacy
journey!
By: JoAnn Collins
