Show #100 Sharon Martin, SLP on Response to Intervention (RTI) and Individualized Education Programs (IEP).

In today's show, Sharon and I discuss how you might go about getting help for your child in school. Part of this is understanding the first steps, called Response to Intervention, or RTI. Teachers are supposed to try different, research-based interventions with the child in the classroom, to see if the child improves, before referring the child for possible testing and evaluation for special education services, that might require developing a special education program, commonly called an Individualized Education Plan or Program (IEP).

As part of this show, I have put together a list of common modifications and accommodations that are typically made for kids in the classroom- think of this as a "menu" of sorts of possible, but not exclusive, changes that can be made to help your child. You can find this list and links to other resources under the link "Accommodations Guide".

We have our big holiday book give away coming- and I hope you will are participate! Here are the rules:

1. The give away closes December 15, 2008.
2. We'll have a link at the top of our website for you to enter the drawing-you'll need to answer two questions and information so we can mail out the book to you. The only condition is that you let us know when it arrives! We'd love it if you'd leave us a review in iTunes as well, but that's optional, of course!

We'll have copies of Marcus Buckingham's latest book, The Truth about You, a few audio books, books by Mel Levine, Rick LaVoie, Edward Hallowell, and more!

Thank you so much, each and everyone of you, for making this one of the most rewarding things I've ever done.

Click here to listen to show #100- Response to Intervention and IEP's

Show #63- Avoiding Extremes

Show # 63- Avoiding Extremes- We're Back From vacation!

In today's show, I talk about how we need to keep centered, and avoid the extreme reactions to things. For example, we can choose to be an advocate, or we can choose to be adversarial with school staff; We can ask for help or we can demand services; we can work as a team or take defensive and polarizing positions.

In the end, parents need to work together with schools, teachers, doctors, therapists and more. We need to work through the bureaucracy, rather than just rail against it. We need to work as much within the system as possible, and try to get as many others on our child;s side as possible. By showing yourself as an engaged and concerned parent, you are more likely to get what you and your child need, than if you take an adversarial and combative approach to every interaction with professionals.

You want to be respected, and as such, you have to be the professional as well, even when it's frustrating and makes you angry. We all need to remember- When the elephants fight- it's the grass that gets trampled. In other words, when we fight with professionals, our child may really be the one hurt in the end by all this conflict.

Today's song is Black Coffee by Chaz and is available on the podsafe music network.

If anyone's interested, you can see some of the great shots we got on our whale watch by going to our main website, at www.ldpodcast.com and clicking on the link. That way, you won't get the whole movie downloaded to your computer by accident!.

Click here to listen to Show # 63, Avoiding Extremes

Show #62 Summer Updates with Melody

I got a chance to sit down with Melody at her home, and talk about a variety of things including:

• How to find great summer camps
• Summer schedules
  
• A Wonderful video- Different and Normal by Richard Colosi-
• Changing labels over time along the spectrum
• involving your child in their IEP's andtalking to them about their issues

We also feature a song "Odd Bird" by the Lacivious biddies from the Podsafe Music Network

Enjoy, and we'll be back full force after a week off for conference and vacation!

And.... we've been successful at Handwriting Without Tears for both kids, the last 6 out of 8 days at home!

Also side note- The Apple retail stores are doing a series of summer camps in July- my kids went today, and it was fantastic. Camps are free to attend, and kids got some neat stuff as well as an opportunity to learn something new in a short period of time- I highly recommend this to every parent!

Click here to listen to Show #62

This is the URL for Different & Normal:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TkrrcLgrMs

Peter Wright, Wrightslaw: Special Education Law and You

Show #52 Conversation with Peter Wright, Part II

Peter Wright is a well-known attorney, specializing in special education law. He argued an important special education case, Florence County School District v. Carter, before the Supreme Court. This is particularly impressive, since Pete himself has learning disabilities, and talks openly about his struggles in school as a child.

Pete has also written many books, including From Emotions to Advocacy, Special Education Law, and No Child Left Behind.

In part II of our conversation, Pete and I talk about why we aren't always using the best reading programs for kids with learning issues in public schools; why parents are so important in making sure kids get what they need, and why inclusion/segregation is more about the most appropriate learning environment for an individual rather than a system-wide one size fits all goal.

We have a song by Uncle Seth- Both Sides Now, followed at the end by a few minutes of "bonus" audio about parents and understanding the law.

I want to thank Cathlin, Tyson, and Michelle for their emails, questions and feedback, and encourage you to do the same!

Please email us with your feedback about shorter vs. longer shows, and any comments- ldpodcast@gmail.com, or call our voicemail line, (206) 666-2343. I'd love it if you'd consider leaving a review in iTunes for us as well.


Click here to download Show # 52: Peter Wright, Wrightslaw - Special Education Law and You

LD Online's Dale S. Brown

LD Online is one of the best reference sites for learning disabilities on the internet- and one that has been around the longest. Dale Brown is Senior Manager of LD Online, as well as an author of 5 books on learning disabilties and one of the initial organizers of the self-help movement for the disability community . She worked in public service for over 25 years, including positions at the US Department of Labor, where she helped ensure the Jobs Corps program was accessible to students with disabilities. She is the "go to" expert for information on employment and accomodations for people with learning disabilities.

In this 2 part conversation, Dale and I talk about what it was like for her growing up with Learning Disabilities, before the IDEA and laws that require schools to make accommodations for students with different educational needs. We talk about the importance of teaching children self-advocacy, positive reinforcement, and being realistic with them about their capabilities. In part II, we discuss Coaching, allowing kids to make mistakes and accept challenges, and identifying their strengths. We also discuss LD Online, the resources available, and what's coming in the near future. I know you'll get alot out of these conversations.

While Dale's learning disabilities include ADD, I've placed these interviews in our ADHD month series, to help parents realize how many successful people have learning disabilities, and what we can do to try to make sure our kids are part of this success story.

Listen for the announcement of the upcoming contest where we give away copies of Dr. Mel Levine's wonderful book, A Mind at a Time!

Please email us at ldpodcast@gmail.com; voicemail (206)666-2343

Click here to download a Conversation with Dale Brown, Part I

Show #34: Smart Kids witth School Problems

Rich Weinfeld is a many with many talents. Besides being the father of two boys, he is an author of two great books, Smart Kids with Learning Difficulties: Overcoming Obstacles and Realizing Potential, and Helping Boys Succeed in School. Rich has been a special educator, he lectures at Johns Hopkins University, and has a private practice education consulting group, The Weinfeld Education Group. Rich was kind enough to talk with me a few weeks ago about how we identify kids with learning disabilities, how to talk with teachers and administrators to make sure your child is getting what they need while forging constructive relationships, and when you might want to consider an educational advocate. Most kids have gotten one set of grades by this point in the school year, and if your child is struggling, there may be cause to investigate further. This great information may help you start those tough conversations, and help you help your child at the start of a new year, if not get the ball rolling before the Holiday break!

Happy Holidays to all! Please email us at ldpodcast@gmail.com or contact us via our voicemail number, (206) 666-2343

Also check out our other blog through Grasshopper New Media Parents- GNM Parents

Click here to download Show #34- Rich Weinfeld

Home Schooling

Home Schooling with Karen Patrick

I don't know about you, but when I read that over 1.1 million kids were being homeschooled, I wondered what all of this was about. Was this all religious fundamentalists who were against the school system, andlooked at it as corrupt and evil? Well, regular people are opting to home school their children for a variety of reasons, including the needs of their family, and it provides the flexibility to customize your child's education in a way that simply can't be done in a public school environment.

Home Schooling is not for everyone- I'm not sure I would be good at it, myself, but I have always wondered about it. Karen Patrick is the mother of two children, both schooled at home. Her husband, Dr. Mike Patrick Jr., is a pediatrician, and host of Pediacast- a great podcast that addresses all those little questions you want answered by your own pediatrician, but never have time for in the office. (Dr. Mike was kind enough to be interviewed on Show #19 of the LD Podcast). Karen and Mike decided to homeschool both of their children for many reasons, and have really enjoyed the closeness it has helped develop in their family. I think you'll enjoy Karen's perspective on education and schooling, and how it works for their family!

As always, you can contact us by email at ldpodcast@gmail.com, call the voicemail line at (206) 666-2343, or leave a comment on the blog.

Click Here to Download Show # 32- Homeschooling