Navigating school for your child with special needs

“Incorporating Restorative Justice in Schools”

Leila Fakhoury’s TEDx Talk gives very good information in plain language that most parents will have no trouble comprehending. South Bend’s school system used this framework to write its student handbook. I think all parents should learn about restorative justice and how it applies to their children.

“How Childhood Trauma Affects Health Across a Lifetime”

The impact of trauma needs to be explained in a way that parents understand, so they can really grasp what might cause their child to act out. This TED Talk by pediatrician Nadine Burke Harris explains trauma and how it can affect us all.

"What Are IEPs?"

Many parents are unaware of the right language to use when looking for support from their child's school. They are also often unaware of the laws that protect children who have special needs. This video explains what parents/guardians need to know before going into a meeting with the school. (By the way, an IEP is an Individualized Education Program—a legal document that sets reasonable learning goals for a child with special needs and states the services that the school district will provide for the child.)

“Seven Steps in an IEP Process: Special Education Decoded”

I recommend this video because it helps parents/guardians easily understand the IEP (Individualized Education Program) process. In fact, this is one in a series of “Special Education Decoded” videos that can be found on YouTube, making an often bewildering educational system more user-friendly.

“Three Ways to End the School to Prison Pipeline for Good”

Sometimes behavioral issues must be addressed at the policy level. This article helps parents understand different interventions—whether it’s with the school, the school board or the city—to address structural challenges that might lead to their child acting out.

Mental Health Awareness of Michiana

Mental Health Awareness of Michiana is a local affiliate of Mental Health America. The organization helps those in our community access resources and learn more about mental illness, parent support and educational interventions.