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Flashcards — Services & Placement

Card 1 of 17

Services & Placement

What is a continuum of placements?

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Schools must have a range of options, from general classes with support to special classes and other settings. The team picks the least restrictive one that works.

Services & Placement

How can I track whether services are happening?

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Ask for service logs showing dates and minutes. Compare them to what the IEP promises.

Services & Placement

Does 'appropriate' mean my child should make progress?

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Yes — the IEP should be designed so your child can make meaningful progress given their circumstances. Tiny progress year after year is a reason to ask questions.

Services & Placement

Can I ask for a paraprofessional (aide)?

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Yes, and the team should decide based on your child's needs. Ask how the aide will be trained and how your child's independence will be built.

Services & Placement

What is assistive technology?

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Tools that help your child learn or communicate, like text-to-speech, a tablet, or a pencil grip. The IEP team must consider whether your child needs it.

Services & Placement

Who decides where my child is placed?

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The IEP team, including you. Placement should be based on the IEP, not on the disability label or what's convenient.

Services & Placement

Red flag: a shortened school day.

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A shorter day should only happen if the IEP team decides it's needed for your child, not as a behavior shortcut. Ask for it in writing with a plan to return.

Services & Placement

What if the school wants to move my child to a more separate setting?

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Ask what supports were tried in the current setting, and what data shows they didn't work. You should get the decision in writing.

Services & Placement

Can transportation be an IEP service?

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Yes. If your child needs help getting to school because of their disability, transportation can be written into the IEP.

Services & Placement

What is the 'least restrictive environment' (LRE)?

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Your child should learn alongside kids without disabilities as much as possible, with supports. Moving to a separate setting needs a reason based on your child's needs.

Services & Placement

Can my child get counseling at school?

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Yes. If your child needs it to benefit from school, counseling can be a related service in the IEP.

Services & Placement

Red flag: 'All kids with autism go to that classroom.'

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Placement must be individual. A diagnosis alone shouldn't decide where your child learns.

Services & Placement

What does FAPE mean for my child?

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A Free Appropriate Public Education: specialized instruction and services, at no cost to you, designed for your child's needs. 'Appropriate' doesn't mean 'the best possible.'

Services & Placement

Is extended school year only for kids who regress?

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No. The team should look at your child's individual needs, and losing skills over breaks is just one factor.

Services & Placement

Can my child join field trips and clubs?

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Yes. Kids with disabilities should have an equal chance to join activities, with supports if needed.

Services & Placement

What happens if the school misses services?

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Ask how the missed time will be made up. Making up lost services is called compensatory services.

Services & Placement

Red flag: 'We don't have staff for that.'

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Services should be based on your child's needs, not what staff is on hand. Ask: 'What does my child need, according to the data?'

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