IEPs and accommodations: Do they happen?

Check your child’s IEP to see the wording on how or if “accommodations” are being provided. 

If the words “as needed” is listed, then the accommodation may not be happening at the school.  “As needed” is often interpreted by a school staffer to mean they get to decide whether or not to implement it.  Classes full of students and overwhelming workloads may result in the inability of the staff to take the effort necessary to accommodate. 

“As needed” listed on an accommodation is a red flag; an IEP team can be creative and come up with other approaches to make the accommodation take place.

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Time-out rooms and kids with IEP’s

Last night a local television station had a news story about a student north of the river who was placed in a time-out room.  They interviewed the mother who indicated she learned her boy was placed in there for running in the hall; he has ADHD.  She said he was in there for over two hours and that he was nine-years-old.  The video showed a lighted small room with a bean-bag and carpet.  The mother continued that she had not given permission to the school for her son to be in such a place.

Parents need to not be surprised (like this mom) when their child is placed in disciplinary situations that are inappropriate.  To avoid it, one thing a parent can do is make sure that discipline is spelled out in the IEP; and, if there are techniques that the parent does NOT want used then the parent can write to the school and notify them that you do not give consent for them to do it. 

Also, parents can request manifestation determination meetings that is suppose to define between which behaviors are disability related or not.  

The IEP Center dot com has advocates who assist parents in MO and KS with these issues.  We are not attorneys and do not give legal advice.