https://padlet.com/smrtmom/ajppl1itaec8 Made with swagger en-us 2016-06-21 12:13:25 UTC 2016-06-21 13:11:53 UTC hello@padlet.com smrtmom https://padlet.com/smrtmom/ajppl1itaec8/wish/115146028
a)My resource for this topic is http://www.parentcenterhub.org/repository/evaluation/

After reading the article  "Evaluating Children for Disability'  i realized that the evaluation process is guided by requirements in our nation’s special education law, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). IDEA is a federal law that requires schools to serve the educational needs of eligible students with disabilities. Schools are required to evaluate children who are identified by their teacher/parents of having disabilities , including learning disabilities. I also realized that not every child with learning or attention issue will qualify for special education services under the IDEA law.
The first and foremost step towards identifying a child with disability is to evaluate a child , this can be done on the advise/request of the parents or the teachers. IDEA also requires the school to give notice and obtain approval from the parents that their child will be evaluated.A written consent must be gathered.Once approval has been given then the evaluation should be catered towards that child only and cannot be combined with other children. It should be focused on the identified child only. In order to gain information about the child a variety of assessment tools and strategies should be used including information provided by the parents.Evaluation should look above and beyond the cultural barriers. Typically whatever mode of communication the child is familiar with that mode of communication should be used for accuracy.Parents are integral part of the evaluation and  should be provided the copy of the evaluation report which will provide information if their child  is eligible. If as a parent you do not agree with the evaluation results parents can and should conduct the evaluation via an independent evaluating agency.Once a child has been identified as special need evaluation should be an ongoing process and the parents should be informed about the reevaluation.

b) My second resource for the same topic is http://www.readingrockets.org/article/understanding-concerns-parents-students-disabilities-challenges-and-roles-school-counselors

The article titled "Understanding the Concerns of Parents of Students with Disabilities: Challenges and Roles for School Counselors" made me realize that a disability in a child's life can occur at any point. This can be a learning disability or a disability suffered as a result of a accident or a birth defect. Labeling a child as disabled destroys the hopes and dreams of the parents. Even before a child is born parents dream and wish for a healthy child. Parents need to grieve the loss of the hopes and dream and this is the first process of acceptance.The school counselors  and psychologist play a very vital role at this time.School counselors can help the parents by forming parent support groups or referring parents to existing support groups, either school based or in the community.Parents are always overly concerned about the safety of their child at school .Teachers have to reassure the parents that their child is in safe hands.Teachers and parents should understand that fostering  independence  is highly encouraged.Inclusion plays the most significant role in a child's life. Creating awareness among other parents and encouraging friendships with normal children should be highly encouraged. Parents are always concerned as the child has been labeled as disabled and lacks the confidence that the  teacher does not look beyond the label.The school School counselors can serve as advocates for children with disabilities within their schools and can help to educate teachers to look beyond the child's disability to his or her abilities.Understanding the concerns of parents of children with disabilities is an important first step towards serving as an advocate for children  with disabilities.

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