Social Worker Solutions for Challenging IEPs by Kim Moran

2024-10-30 19:39:17 UTC

Issues: teacher not following the accommodation plan/lack of resources

I would set up a meeting with teacher to model or provide strategies to help encourage her to use them. Also try to get creative with resources to help reduce behavior.

kamoran3 — 2024-10-30 19:39:21 UTC

They may not have an understanding. I would do a mini lesson on the strategies

2024-10-30 19:39:25 UTC

I would go to the specific teachers, go over the accommodations, and ask what the barriers are for providing those. I would discuss why each accommodation is helpful for the student and then try to address the barriers individually with each teacher.

Inconsistency with teachers

2024-10-30 19:39:54 UTC

I would have a meeting with administration and the teachers to brainstorm ways to find staff to make these accommodations or adjust the accommodations.

2024-10-30 19:40:04 UTC

2024-10-30 19:40:28 UTC

Are these the accommodations Maria needs? Sometimes it feels like there’s a list of standard accommodations that people use, rather than work with the teachers to determine what is most useful

2024-10-30 19:40:29 UTC

Issue: Teacher not implementing accommodations for an equitable learning environment

Solution: track student behavior and academic performance in that class as well as others with the accommodations to help show the teacher the influence these accommodations would have, reconvene a team meeting in order to explain the obligations of IEP accommodations, provide the opportunity for a conversation around the needs and diagnosis

2024-10-30 19:40:29 UTC

-Teacher is not knowledgeable on support needs of student

-limited resources to meet need as specified on IEP

IEP/Student with Autism

2024-10-30 19:40:30 UTC

Issue- teacher not making accommodations or even understanding the accommodations

Possible Solution- Teachers need to ask for more resources and get clarification on the student's needs

The issue is with the teachers. Interventions cannot be discontinued or refused due to “lack of resources” or lack of understanding.

2024-10-30 19:40:33 UTC

I would meet with the teachers and problem solve how to access/create the resources. I’d also educate the teacher on the specific needs of this child as well as how the students autism affects their access to their education

2024-10-30 19:40:44 UTC

I would try to find out what the reluctance is stemming from and then try to address them individually. Like limited resources in what way? If they don’t feel they have a peer in the class, maybe I could support finding one by observing the class. If spacing is an issue, I would advocate for more furniture in the clsssroom to create more space

2024-10-30 19:40:56 UTC

I would provide ideas and examples of a calm corner for the classroom and give examples of a buddy system and offer to help in setting it up.

2024-10-30 19:40:58 UTC

a lack of understanding of a student’s disability would be my primary concern. I would want to meet with the teachers individually to see if I could help educate them more on the student’s disability and provide perspective on why they need those accommodations.

2024-10-30 19:42:29 UTC

Issues: teachers not implementing accommodations

I would schedule a meeting with the teacher to work with them on how to implement the accommodations with given resources. I would do a student observation and model how to implement the accommodations. During the meeting discuss the student’s needs

IEP

2024-10-30 19:42:37 UTC

Support teachers in understanding diagnosis and symptomology, and how support and modifications can be implemented in the classroom.

Support student in identifying what they actually need.

Challenges:

2024-10-30 19:42:39 UTC

Reluctance to implement accommodations and lack of understanding of the student's needs.

Solutions: Meet with teachers to identify resources available and resources needed.

Meet with teachers to discuss needs and answering questions.

Suspension is not appropriate for this student!

2024-10-30 19:46:35 UTC

2024-10-30 19:46:51 UTC

-Educate on why suspension is not the answer

-push into classroom to model self-regulation and coping skills with student and potentially whole class

2024-10-30 19:46:54 UTC

I would sit down with admin about why student is being suspended to see if it is related to the student's disability. See if maybe we can use restorative practice instead of always OSS. I would also advocate for space and explain why. I would also clarify if the student qualifies for individual and group or just individual since group might be better space wise.

2024-10-30 19:47:06 UTC

Push for systems changes about how discipline is handled for students with IEPs, first of all. Offer Sam whatever time I do have, like a 15 minute check-in twice a week to take a walk outside or even just in the hallway. Advocate for another social worker to be hired so that I can meet IEP needs.

2024-10-30 19:47:20 UTC

Issues: high case load/limited resources and discipline is high.

Alternatives to suspension based on the students disability/needs.

Possible FBA/BIP for this particular student

Asking for support from admin team

2024-10-30 19:47:21 UTC

Though there are challenges I would consider trying a coping skills group. Also if a student with an IEP is getting suspended frequently then there should probably be a manifestation determination meeting

2024-10-30 19:47:23 UTC

Issues- no dedicated space for individual counseling sessions; high caseload, frequently using suspensions as punishment

Possible solutions- advocate for a dedicated space and additional staff;

Someone needs to PD administration on the legalities of suspending sped students!

2024-10-30 19:47:24 UTC

2024-10-30 19:47:41 UTC

Maybe the social worker could talk to the administrator about the legal requirements to meet the student's IEP. Talk about how suspensions aren't helpful and could make it so the student is not accessing their resources. The social worker could start a group, not ideal but could be creative about teaching the skills.

2024-10-30 19:47:49 UTC

Relying on disciplinary actions, instead implement a restorative practices approach.

2024-10-30 19:48:19 UTC

Issue: limited resources, no space for counseling, suspension

Solution: push in to classes, model regulation skills in small group settings, restorative practice

Develop alternatives to suspension with admin.

2024-10-30 19:48:45 UTC

2024-10-30 19:49:08 UTC

Work with outside resources, community referrals as well, to have wrap around services, deter suspension and work for alternative discipline methods.

2024-10-30 19:49:14 UTC

I would sit down with administration about getting a space to work with students on the caseload and advocate for space to help with teaching the skills. Also advocate for suspensions to not be used when the behavior is a documented area of need. Do push-in services until a space is aquired.

2024-10-30 19:49:14 UTC

As a school social worker myself, these are common problems to run into. I would definitely be advocating to administration that this student has other needs occurring and perhaps go to talk with the teachers who may be recommending suspension to help them understand the goals we are working on. Find a confidential space that could be used in conjunction with a professional who also supports the student like the school counselor or the school nurse. Work together to make sure the student can become more stable.