The new school year is almost here! While this can be an exciting time for you and your student, some anxieties and worries might appear. There are new teachers, staff and students that will be with your child during the school day. A lot of the time, they do not know the complexities of your child. Take time to give staff members a snap shot of what makes your child tick.

Here are some tips:

A Student Profile Snap-shot is a great way to introduce your child to their new teacher, as well as other staff at the school.

Who should receive a copy? In addition to sending it to the classroom teacher, and/or your child's special education teacher, it is a great idea to provide a copy of this one page summary of your child to anyone who interacts with your student on a regular basis, or might support your child at critical times. This could include:

• Bus Driver
• Substitutes (you can ask the teacher if they would be willing to include it in their sub folder)
• Specials Teachers
• Media Specialists
• Intervention Specialists
• After or Before Care Staff
• Cafeteria Staff
• Front Office Staff
• Classroom Aids
• School Nurse and Health Room Techs

If you need assistance in creating a one-page profile for your child please feel free to reach out and I will be happy to help!

Special Education involves many unique terms and acronyms. When sitting in an IEP meeting it is easy to feel confused, lost, and overwhelmed if you don't understand what is being talked about. The most important thing to know is that you can ask to pause the IEP meeting at any time to get clarification on something you don't understand. For a more exhaustive list visit The Parent's Place of Maryland: https://www.ppmd.org/resource/alphabet-soup-a-guide-to-special-education-acronyms/

To get you started in learning more, here are a few of the most commonly used Special Education Acronyms and their meanings:

• AAC - Augmentative/Alternative Communication - This is any system your child uses to communicate. This can include PECS systems and electronic and tablet based communication systems.
• ABA - Applied Behavior Analysis - A scientific approach to understanding behavior.
• ACTT - Augmentative Communication and Technology Team - The FCPS team that assists with supportive and adaptive technology.
• ADA - Americans with Disabilities Act - A civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities
• BCBA - Board Certified Behavior Analyst - A person with a graduate- level certification in applied behavior analysis.
• BIP - Behavior Intervention Plan - A document developed to address the individual behavior needs of a students whose behavior interferes with learning.
• DIBELS - Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills - A set of procedures and measures for assessing the acquisition of early literacy skills.
• ESY - Extended School Year - Special Education and related services that are delivered to a student beyond the regular school year.
• FAPE - Free Appropriate Public Education - Free education designed to meet the student's unique needs and prepares the child for further education, employment, and independent living.
• FBA - Functional Behavioral Assessment - A process for identifying problem behaviors and developing interventions to improve or eliminate those behaviors.
• IDEA - Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act - A law that makes available a free and appropriate education to eligible children with disabilities.
• IEP - Individualized Education Plan - A legal document that lays out the Special Education instruction, supports, and a services a student needs to receive FAPE.
• LRE - Least Restrictive Environment - Assures that a child with a disability must be educated with their non-disabled peers to the fullest extent possible.
• OT - Occupational Therapy - Rehabilitation through the performance of activities required for everyday life.
• PECS - Picture Exchange Communication System - A type of AAC that uses visual symbols to teach the learner to communicate. (These are the symbols frequently seen on student's desks and teacher's lanyards used for communication.)
• PWN - Prior Written Notice - A written explanation of the changes a school district will be making, and/or refusing to make, to an student's IPE. (In FCPS you will receive a PWN after every IEP meeting. It is at the end of your meeting notes that are sent 5 days after the meeting.)
• SEIA - Special Education Instructional Assistant - Supports the Special Education teacher both in the classroom with students and with administrative tasks.
• SLP - Speech Language Pathologist - An individual who can assess and treat speech, language, social communication, cognitive-communication and swallowing disorder

Contact Rachel Spicer-Special Education Community Liaison

Rachel.Spicer@fcps.org or 240-236-8744

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