"SPECIAL NEEDS" is a broad umbrella underneath which a large array of diagnoses can be wedged.
Children with special needs may have mild learning disabilities or profound mental retardation; food allergies or terminal illness; developmental delays that catch up quickly or remain entrenched; occasional panic attacks or serious psychiatric problems. While the designation is useful for getting needed services, setting appropriate goals, and gaining understanding for a child and stressed family, it can certainly be overwhelming just figuring out where and how to start the process.
PARENTS of children with special needs are heroes. Local mom, Retta Slay, deserves special recognition because of her work in getting many special needs camps and programs going in our area. While we can't pin her down to do a profile, we can promote those programs below. >
RESOURCES... The Santa Barbara community is rich with dedicated professionals. Sports programs, inclusion preschools, tutoring services, parenting support groups and special needs materials resources are all available locally. >
IEP... Parents can advocate for their children with learning disabilities by filing an Individualized Education Plan with thier child's school. The IEP keeps teachers and administrators informed and follows your child through schools so that they receive the services they need.
- What is an IEP? Kids with academic challenges or disabilities might be eligible for special services that provide individualized education programs in public schools, free of charge to families. Parents can now work with specialists (speech and language, reading, etc) to develop a plan - the individualized education plan (IEP) - to help kids succeed in school. The IEP describes the goals and benchmarks the team sets for a child during the school year, as well as any special support needed to help achieve them.
- Who is eligible for an IEP? A child who has difficulty learning and functioning or has been identified as a special needs student is the perfect candidate for an IEP. Kids struggling in school may qualify for support services, allowing them to be taught in a special way.
- What is the process? The referral process generally begins when a teacher, parent or doctor is concerned that a child may be experiencing difficulty in the classroom. Parents can request a conference with the teacher, administrator and specialist. This informational meeting helps school personnel determine what the next step will be. Strategies specific to the student can be implemented to help the child become more successful in school. After assessments and evaluations, the next step is an IEP meeting at which the team and parents decide what will be addressed in the plan. Click to read more detailed information on KidsHealth.org.
- What is a 504 plan? This refers to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act, which specifies that no one with a disability can be excluded from participating in federally funded programs or activities, including schooling. This can include physical impairments; illnesses or injuries; communicable diseases; chronic conditions like asthma, allergies and diabetes; and learning problems. A 504 plan spells out the modifications and accommodations that will be needed for these students to have an opportunity perform at the same level as their peers, and might include such things as wheelchair ramps, blood sugar monitoring, an extra set of textbooks, a peanut-free lunch environment, home instruction, or a tape recorder or keyboard for taking notes. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is the public school's special education legal basis of how and what programs will be in place for the special needs student. IDEA mandates that special education students be placed in the least restrictive environment with the appropriate supports. In other words, where ever possible, special needs students should be placed in the regular classroom.
TOLERANCE, RESPECT & UNDERSTANDING... Inclusion programs provide an opportunity for children with and without special needs to learn together. It's the lack of exposure to students with disabilities that create the fears in children. When mainstream students are exposed to students with special needs, there is an opportunity for acceptance and understanding. As parents and teachers, it is a wonderful time to teach our children respect, patience and understanding. Nobody wants to feel different and we all struggle with insecurities. One way to address why a child in their class may have a special aid assigned to them or may need to leave class for speech therapy is to explain that every child has areas of strengths and weaknesses and that some may need extra resources. Children need to be reminded that while they do not need to befriend every child, they do need to show every child respect. A local teacher tells us more about Ability Awareness at Kellogg School in his article below. >
"Women and the City" is a big night of fun sponsored by Women's Economic Ventures (WEV). View a private,  premiere screening of Sex and the City 2 and attend pre-and post- event parties on Friday, May 28th in Ventura.
Would you like to go with a girlfriend? We have one set of two passes to give away...
Tell us why you deserve a night out on the hot pink carpet with the girls >
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Sample activities from this awareness you can do at home:
