All Things IEPs

Quick Overview

In this webinar, Michelle Harvey-Martin discusses Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for children with Angelman Syndrome. She explains the components of an IEP, including present levels, goals, and services. Michelle provides tips for analyzing goals and offers resources for finding goal ideas. She also addresses the challenges of virtual learning and offers suggestions for structuring at-home learning. Michelle emphasizes the importance of parent involvement and encourages parents to reach out for support and guidance.

Good evening, everyone. We’re so excited you’re here for Day 10 of the ASF Virtualpalooza. Once again, you’re in for a real special treat tonight. Tonight, I don’t have one of my T-shirts on, but I would show you fresh off the press. Check it out. The awesome Angelman face masks have come in.

Introduction

This is such a hot topic. Stella says hello, too, by the way. We have a dear friend of ours who has been working as a resource director for the Angelman Syndrome Foundation for many years, specifically around IEPs. So for those of you that don’t know and may be new to the space, we do have the opportunity for the families and the community to reach out and talk to any of our resource directors. Michelle has been one for a very long time, and she spends time walking people through their IEP journey.

Michelle’s Background

Michelle is incredibly passionate about all these amazing kiddos and is passionate about helping you. So she’s here tonight to share with you everything IEP. Now, this is a big, big topic, so she might not get to everything tonight, but please do ask questions.

Michelle’s Experience

Michelle has been a special education teacher and has been a part of IEPs for many, many years. But she has a special connection to Angelman Syndrome because her brother, Matthew, who’s 25, who just turned 25 recently, right, has Angelman Syndrome. And her father, Dan, has been on the ASF board for I don’t even know how many years, probably from the beginning of the inception of Angelman Syndrome, has also served on our scientific advisory committee.

Understanding IEPs

So Angelman Syndrome and the Angelman Syndrome Foundation runs deep in this family. And Michelle is incredibly passionate about all these amazing kiddos and is passionate about helping you. So she’s here tonight to share with you everything IEP. Now, this is a big, big topic, so she might not get to everything tonight, but please do ask questions.

Present Levels

The present level section of the IEP should describe the student’s strengths and weaknesses in all subject areas. It should include multiple sources of data and information, such as observations from the teacher, hard data (numbers and prompt levels), and descriptions of work samples. The present levels should be objective and not subjective, focusing on the student’s abilities and areas for growth.

Goals

Goals in the IEP should be measurable, attainable, and specific. They should have a clear link to the present levels section and address all areas of need identified for the student. Goals should be broken down into shorter-term objectives that help the student work towards the annual goal. The criteria for mastery should be reasonable and practical, and the goals should be based on the student’s rate of progress and be meaningful to the student.

Services and Supports

The services and supports section of the IEP should detail who will provide instruction to accomplish the goals and where the instruction will take place. There are various service options that provide the least restrictive environment for the student, and the choice of setting should be based on the student’s needs and the parent’s comfort level. It is important to communicate with the school team about any concerns regarding services and supports and to document any discrepancies between the IEP and the actual implementation of services.

At-Home Learning

At-home learning during virtual or distance learning can be challenging, but there are strategies that can help. It is important to structure the learning time and break it up into shorter periods with breaks in between. Visual supports such as token boards and schedules can help provide structure and support for the student. Parent coaching and guidance from the teacher can also be helpful in implementing at-home learning effectively. It is important to communicate with the school team about any concerns or challenges and to find a balance that works for both the student and the family.

Conclusion

In conclusion, IEPs are an important part of the education journey for students with Angelman Syndrome. It is important to understand the components of the IEP, such as present levels, goals, and services and supports. It is also important to advocate for your child and communicate with the school team about any concerns or questions you may have. Remember, you are not alone in this journey, and there are resources and support available to help you navigate the IEP process.