Harmonizing Theater, Art and Education: Flourishing on an IEP
This is an artistic girl who loves music, art, and dance. She took dance for eight years at a dance studio and now studies under a Baldwin Wallace instructor. She auditioned for an Acappella music group and is currently doing that as a high school freshman. She likes doing hair, makeup, and nails and this picture is an example of a French tip with leopard print that she did on her nails. It looks beautiful. I would pay someone to do that for me.
She is very hard-working and even though her mom knew she needed extra help at first grade, it took until fifth grade to get her on an Individualized Education Program (IEP). Read her mom’s answers about an amazing girl with many gifts to share who needed the support of an IEP. This mom said that homework can be a burden or a helpful tool depending on the type of work. Sometimes, notes, outlined problems, and scaffolding help ease the homework burden. Homework can also be useful to help the child practice recall.
Q: What is one thing you wish teachers know about your child that is not on the IEP?
A: How much she struggles (she works very hard and is so well-behaved….so often teachers think she’s doing fine).
Q: Scores on tests do not define the child. What is something your child is really good at that is not reflected on tests?
A: Artistic, empathetic, and leadership abilities
Q: How important is homework for your child? Is it just a burden, or is it a helpful learning tool?
A: Depending on the work! Multi-step and memory assignments can be rough without scaffolding and helpful tools, (notes, problems outlined, etc) and other homework assignments are no problem and help practice recall for her.
Q: How old was your child when you first knew he/she had special needs?
A: first grade, it took til fifth grade to get her on an IEP.
Q: What is one piece of advice you have for someone with a newly diagnosed child?
A: Every child is different, a diagnosis is only a starting point to determining your child’s needs, strengths, and path.
Q: What is one meal that everyone in your family likes to eat?
A: Chicken avocado bacon salad or avocado toast
Q: What advice do you have for interacting with children with special needs?
A: We are all just humans, although everyone is different, we all have the same basic needs (to be loved, understood, and treated with respect) which if not met, growth will not occur.
Q: What activities do you recommend to other parents to foster self-care?
A: That truly depends on the parent. Journaling is great, but not for everyone… I recommend that a parent finds something/s ( taking a walk, meditation, reading, etc) that brings them inner joy/peace and be sure to make it happen once a week or day, however, it is needed to recharge.
Q: Are there any support groups you recommend for parents or children?
A: Find a group that fits for your child’s needs, whether it be their strengths or weaknesses or both!
Q: What are your favorite family activities?
A: Biking, visiting family, going to the beach, game nights, family dinners.