Tag: summer

Stay Cool When Summer Heats Up

Posted on by Nicol Walsh

Summertime brings special challenges for families whose children have special needs. Some medical conditions and medications make individuals particularly susceptible to the heat. Be sure to check with your doctor about which medications might increase heat sensitivity.

Keep in mind that extreme heat combined with humidity can make a person even more vulnerable. It’s harder for the body to sweat and cool itself off when the humidity rises, making it even harder to maintain a healthy body temperature.

The US Department of Homeland Security manages a website, Ready.gov, to help people prepare for and mitigate emergencies, including a variety of natural and man-made disasters. The website offers articles translated into a variety of languages. The campaign provides these bits of advice related to the risks of extremely hot weather:

  • Extreme heat can occur quickly and without warning.
  • Older adults, children, and sick or overweight individuals are at greater risk from extreme heat.
  • Humidity increases the feeling of heat as measured by a heat index.

Here are a few ideas for your family when the heat is on:

  • Stay indoors and in an air-conditioned environment as much as possible unless you know your body has a high tolerance for heat.
  • Drink plenty of fluids but avoid beverages that contain alcohol, caffeine or a lot of sugar.
  • Eat more frequently, but make sure meals are balanced and light.
  • Never leave any person or pet in a parked vehicle.
  • Avoid dressing babies in heavy clothing or wrapping them in warm blankets.
  • Check frequently on people who are elderly, ill or may need help. If you might need help, arrange to have family, friends or neighbors check in with you at least twice a day throughout warm weather periods.
  • Make sure pets have plenty of water.
  • Salt tablets should only be taken if specified by your doctor. If you are on a salt-restrictive diet, check with a doctor before increasing salt intake.
  • If you take prescription diuretics, antihistamines, mood-altering or antispasmodic drugs, check with a doctor about the effects of sun and heat exposure.
  • Cover windows that receive morning or afternoon sun. Awnings and window coverings can reduce the heat entering a house by as much as 80 percent.

If you go outside:

  • Plan strenuous outdoor activities for early or late in the day, when temperatures are cooler.
  • Take frequent breaks when working outdoors.
  • Wear a wide-brimmed hat, sun block and light-colored, loose-fitting clothes when outdoors.
  • At first signs of heat illness (dizziness, nausea, headaches, muscle cramps), move to a cooler location, rest for a few minutes and slowly drink a cool beverage. Seek medical attention immediately if you do not feel better.
  • Avoid sunburn, which slows the skin’s ability to cool itself. Use a sunscreen lotion with a high SPF (sun protection factor) rating.
  • Avoid extreme temperature changes. A cool shower immediately after coming in from hot temperatures can result in hypothermia, particularly for elderly or very young people.

If the power goes out or air conditioning is not available

  • If air conditioning is not available, stay on the lowest floor out of the sunshine.
  • Ask your doctor about any prescription medicine you keep refrigerated. (If the power goes out, most medicine will be fine to leave in a closed refrigerator for at least 3 hours.)
  • Keep a few bottles of water in your freezer; if the power goes out, move them to your refrigerator and keep the doors shut.

The Washington State Department of Health lists additional ideas through its website. Some Extreme Heat Cooling Centers in Washington State are listed through the state’s 211 Information Network.

Additional General Resources:

Cooling Centers:  

National Weather Service (NWS): 

Vulnerable Groups:  

Access and Functional Needs Risk Communications:

Medication Considerations:

Tips to Help Parents Reinforce Positive Behaviors at Home

Posted on by Nicol Walsh

Changes in routine, especially during school breaks, can be challenging for families, but using Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) at home can help create calm, structure, and stronger relationships. PBIS focuses on teaching expected behaviors, using clear communication, and reinforcing positive actions instead of relying on punishment. Families can build supportive routines, model emotional regulation, and use simple strategies to guide behavior at home.

A Brief Overview

  • Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is a strategy schools use to teach children about expected behavior.
  • A key PBIS principle is that punishment fails to teach what to do instead. Adults can model calm responses and self-regulation with tools like self-care and mindfulness.
  • Behavior is a form of communication. When children act out, they may be trying to express a need, feeling, or frustration they don’t yet have the words for.
  • The easiest way to change a behavior is to point out what a person does right. Remember this catchy phrase, “5-and-1 gets it done,” to ensure five positive interactions for each negative interaction.
  • Families can use school-based PBIS strategies at home to create safe, consistent, and predictable environments.
  • PAVE provides a video with key information to help families and schools analyze a child’s behavior and develop a positive behavior support plan: Behavior and School: How to Participate in the FBA/BIP Process.
  • If you come up with some great behavior support strategies this summer, be sure to share them with the school in the fall!

Introduction

Changes in routine and seasonal transitions can cause emotional upheaval for families. A few strategies, described below, might help families keep things chill this summer and beyond.

These ideas come from education, where research has helped teachers see the benefits from using Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS). PBIS has been implemented in more than 26,000 U.S. schools. The PBIS framework has been shown to decrease disciplinary removals and improve student outcomes, including grades and graduation rates. When done well, PBIS provides positive social skills, communication strategies and “restorative justice,” (working it out instead of punishing) and may prevent 80-90 percent of problem behaviors.

PBIS is often part of a broader approach called Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), which helps schools and families work together to meet academic, behavioral, and emotional needs through different levels of support.

Positive support makes learning easier

PBIS research highlights problems with punishments, which are called “aversive interventions.” Research shows that a punished child is likely to go into an emotionally dysregulated state (fight/flight/freeze) that actually blocks learning. Chances are low that the child will know what to do next time because the punishment didn’t provide a learning opportunity.

PBIS teaches what to do instead – and how to do it. Adults who calmly guide children and youth toward a new way of problem-solving can interrupt or prevent an escalation and help the child make better and better choices moving forward.

Keep in mind that adults need to stay regulated to help children. PAVE provides resources to help adults work on their own self-control and support their children:

Behavior is a child’s attempt to communicate

Simple, consistent, predictable language is critical for teaching and reinforcing behavior, says Kelcey Schmitz, who works for the University of Washington School Mental Health Assessment, Research, and Training (SMART) Center.

“PBIS is a game changer for children and youth with behavior challenges and their teachers and caregivers,” Schmitz says. “In fact, everyone can benefit from PBIS. Behavior is a form of communication, and PBIS aims to reduce problem behavior by increasing appropriate behavior and ultimately improving quality of life for everyone. The same approaches used by schools to prevent problem behaviors and create positive, safe, consistent and predictable environments can be used by families at home.”

Schmitz, an MTSS training and technical assistance specialist, provides the following specific tips for creating a successful PBIS home environment.

Support Positive Behavior before there is a problem

PBIS is set up with three layers – called tiers – of support. The parent-child relationship is strengthened by loving and positive interactions at each level.

Tier 1 support is about getting busy before there is a problem. Much like learning to wash hands to prevent getting sick, expected behavior is taught and modeled to prevent unexpected behaviors.  Parents can look at their own actions and choices and consider what children will see as examples of being respectful, responsible, and safe.

Tiers 2 and 3 are where adults provide more support for specific behaviors that are getting in the way of relationships or how the child or youth functions. In a school setting, Tier 2 is for students who need a social group or some extra teaching, practice, and reinforcement.

Tier 3 support includes a Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA) to find out why the behavior is occurring, and an individualized Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP). PAVE provides a video: Behavior and School: How to Participate in the FBA/BIP Process.

Any student may access supports that include aspects of Social Emotional Learning at all three Tiers. At home, Tiers 2 and 3 naturally will be more blended and may include support from a community provider. Note that targeted interventions in Tiers 2-3 work best when Tier 1 is already well established.

Define, teach, and routinely acknowledge family expectations

Discuss how you want to live as a family and identify some “pillars” (important, building-block concepts) that represent what you value. Talk about what those pillars look, and sound like in everyday routines. To help the family remember and be consistent, choose only 3-5 and create positive statements about them. Here are a few examples:

  • Speak in a respectful voice.
  • Be responsible for your actions.
  • Be safe; keep hands, feet, and objects to self.

Identify a couple of “hot spots” to begin. Challenging behaviors often occur within routines. Perhaps mornings or mealtimes create hot spots for the family. After discussing 1-2 ways to be respectful, responsible, and safe in the morning, teach what each looks like. Have fun with it! Set up “expectation stations” for practicing the plan and assign each family member one pillar to teach to the rest.

Behaviors that get attention get repeated. Notice when a child does the right thing and say something about each success: “I noticed you stopped to pick up your shoes in the hallway. Thanks for putting them away and keeping the walkway safe for others.” The easiest way to change a behavior is to point out what a person does right!

Remember this catchy phrase, “5-and-1 gets it done” to ensure five positive interactions for each negative interaction. When the expected behavior becomes routine, the reinforcement can fade away.

Create engaging and predictable routines

Children crave structure and routine. Adults may look forward to a relaxing evening or weekend, but kids often need regular activity and engagement. Consider that either the kids are busy, or the adults are busy managing bored kids!

Use visuals to create predictability. A visual schedule can display major routines of the day with pictures that are drawn, real photos, or cut-outs from magazines. Create a schedule together, if possible.  Parents can ask a child to check the schedule – especially when moving from a preferred to non-preferred activity. It’s hard to argue with a picture!

Set the stage for positive behavior

Teach, pre-teach, and re-teach. Children need to learn behavior just like they learn colors and shapes. A quick reminder can help reinforce a developing skill: “When we get in the car, sit up, buckle up, and smile!”

Give transition warnings or cues to signal the end of one activity and the beginning of another: “In five minutes, it will be bath time.”

First/then statements set up a child for delayed gratification: “First take your bath; then we can play dolls.”

Focus on Go instead of Stop. Children often tune out words like No, Don’t and Stop and only hear the word that comes next, which is what an adult is trying to avoid. Tell a child what to do instead of what not to do: “Take your plate and put it in the sink.” Save Stop and No for dangerous circumstances that need a quick reaction.

Choices prevent power struggles: “Would you rather play for five more minutes or get in the bath now?”  “Feel free to choose the pink pajamas or the green ones.”

While these strategies may not eliminate all problem behaviors, they create consistency, predictability, and a more positive atmosphere. They teach new skills to help children get their needs met. The solid foundation will help even if challenging behaviors persist by creating a bedrock for additional layers of support.

Final Thoughts

Supporting positive behavior at home doesn’t require perfection—just patience, consistency, and a willingness to learn alongside your child. By using clear communication, setting routines, and teaching expected behaviors, families can create a calm and connected environment where everyone thrives. These strategies not only make summer smoother but also build skills that carry into the school year. If you come up with some great behavior support strategies this summer, be sure to share them with the school in the fall! Working together, families and schools can create strong, supportive systems that help every child succeed.

Learn More

Summer Reading Tips for Families

Posted on by Nicol Walsh

Summer days offer time to focus on play, creativity, and family fun. Reading can also be fun! If summer days include time for reading, it helps children keep the skills they worked on during the school year. PAVE has some tips for families to keep kids interested in reading, while still having fun!

A Brief Overview

  • Reading during summer helps prevent the “summer slide.”
  • Everyone can enjoy reading when they have the right tools, no matter how they learn.
  • Learning Heroes helps families find out their child’s reading level. This can help when asking teachers or librarians for book ideas.
  • Any kind of book that gets kids excited about reading is great—like graphic novels, audiobooks, online read-alouds, or e-books.
  • Multisensory (using pictures, sounds, movement) and interactive tools (like websites and apps) can make reading more fun and interesting.
  • Help kids understand what they read by asking questions, guessing what might happen next, and talking about the story together.
  • Friendly reading competitions can motivate kids. Libraries, bookstores, and even some restaurants like Chuck E. Cheese offer summer reading rewards.

Introduction

Summer is a great time for kids to relax, explore new interests, and enjoy a break from the school routine. But it’s also a perfect opportunity to keep learning in fun and meaningful ways—especially when it comes to reading. Without regular practice, children can lose some of the progress they made during the school year, a challenge often called the “summer slide.” Including reading in summer routines helps kids hold on to important skills like vocabulary, comprehension, and fluency. With a little planning, families can support their child’s learning while still making time for play, creativity, and family fun. 

Reading is for everyone! No matter a child’s learning style or ability, there are ways to make reading accessible and enjoyable. For children with learning disabilities, vision challenges, or physical conditions like cerebral palsy, there are tools and resources that can help. One example is Bookshare, a free service that provides e-books in alternative formats such as audiobooks, braille, large print, and more. These options allow all children to experience the joy of reading and continue building their skills in ways that work best for them.

Understand Your Child’s Reading Level

Understanding your child’s reading level and the typical milestones for their age can help you choose the right books and activities to support their growth. Reading milestones—like recognizing letters, sounding out words, or understanding story structure—give helpful clues about what your child is ready to learn next. If possible, ask your child’s teacher for information about their current reading level before summer break. This can help you use any reading guides from the school or library more effectively.

You can also use tools like the Learning Heroes ‘Readiness Check’ to get a quick snapshot of your child’s reading skills. Knowing what your child can do—and what they’re still working on—makes it easier to find books that are just right: not too easy, not too hard, and still fun to read. Matching reading materials to your child’s level helps build confidence and keeps them moving forward.

Washington State’s Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) offers helpful guidance for teachers and families through its Early Literacy Pathways booklet, which includes a chart of developmental milestones linked to reading. Understood.org also provides a helpful guide called Reading skills at different ages, which outlines what reading progress typically looks like from early childhood through middle school.

Follow Your Child’s Lead

Ask a librarian to show you where to find books in your child’s general reading level, then turn your child loose to explore. Children will often gravitate to books that look interesting and accessible.

Don’t worry if the child wants to explore a book that seems too easy or too hard. Keep in mind that the point is to keep the child interested in reading. Sometimes children need something easy to keep it fun, and sometimes the subject of a harder book makes it more fascinating. 

Some children choose comic books or books with diagrams, which are rarely included on teacher lists but can keep kids going to the library. Consider whether guilt-free reading options might reduce battles and keep eyes engaged on the page. Any format that captures a child’s imagination and makes them enjoy reading is valuable. Consider graphic novels, audio books, read aloud online videos, or e-readers in addition to traditional books.

Pull Words from the Page

Some kids enjoy reading more when it’s hands-on or uses more than just words. Adding pictures, sounds, movement, or even smells and tastes can make reading easier and more fun. Multisensory reading activities help children connect with stories in meaningful ways,

The infographic below contains screen-free multisensory ideas. Try these ideas:

Download the Multisensory Activities Infographic in:
English | Chinese (Simplified) 中文 (Zhōngwén) | Korean 한국어 (Hangugeo) | Russian Русский (Russkiy) | Somali Soomaali | Spanish Español | Tagalog | Vietnamese Tiếng Việt

Encourage Reading Comprehension Skills

Building strong reading comprehension skills helps children understand, remember, and enjoy what they read. It’s not just about recognizing words—it’s about making meaning from the text. These skills help kids follow the story, understand characters’ actions, and learn new ideas and vocabulary. They also allow children to connect what they read to their own lives or other books, which deepens their understanding. When kids ask questions and think about the story in different ways, they grow into more confident and capable readers. Encouraging curiosity, discussion, and creativity during reading time can make a big difference in how well children engage with books.

Some ideas to support reading comprehension at home are:

  • Ask open-ended questions during and after reading to spark thinking and conversation.
  • Make predictions about what might happen next in the story.
  • Connect to personal experiences or other books to help kids relate to the story and understand it better.
  • Use visuals like drawings, story maps, or graphic organizers to break down key ideas.
  • Reread favorite books to reinforce understanding and notice new details.
  • Discuss new vocabulary and use it in different contexts to build word knowledge.
  • Summarize together—ask your child to retell the story in their own words.

Use Interactive Tools to Boost Literacy

Another great way to support comprehension is by using interactive tools that bring stories to life. Digital reading platforms and apps often include features like audio narration, animations, and games that help kids stay focused and understand what they’re reading. Many of them also offer books at different levels, so kids can read at their own pace while still being challenged. Below are some free interactive reading platforms that make reading both fun and educational:

  • Storyline Online: Celebrities read books aloud with animations
  • Unite for Literacy: Digital picture books with narration in multiple languages
  • PBS Kids Reading Games: Interactive games and stories with PBS characters
  • Starfall: Phonics and reading activities for Pre-K to Grade 2
  • International Children’s Digital Library (ICDL): Books from around the world in many languages
  • Oxford Owl: Free eBooks and parent resources for ages 3–11
  • ReadWorks: Reading passages with comprehension questions and audio support
  • CommonLit: Reading lessons for Grades 3–12 with accessibility tools

Ask the teacher or school district what they offer over summer. Many schools partner with local organizations or offer school-supported access to digital learning applications, such as:

From May 9th through September 12th, kids can explore the Scholastic Summer Challenge: Home Base, a free mobile phone app full of stories, games, and favorite book characters. Home Base is moderated 24/7 to keep it safe and welcoming for all readers. Kids can attend virtual author events, play book-themed games, write stories and comics, and discover new books to enjoy.

Many Washington state public libraries offer free access to digital reading platforms like Libby and Overdrive, where families can check out audiobooks and eBooks with a library card. For younger children, ask your local librarian about themed kits—these are specially curated for preschoolers and include books and toys centered around fun topics like counting, transportation, farms, colors, and seasons. These kits make reading interactive and engaging for little learners.

Make Reading Part of Everyday Activities

Children learn reading habits from their family, and when adults show they love to read, children will often model that behavior.

Read during everyday activities. Notice and read signs and billboards while you travel around town. Ask children to read the recipe while they help prepare a meal. They can help read a text message, an email, or a letter that came in the mail. Turn on the television’s closed caption feature, so a favorite show includes the words to read and follow along.

Everyone Wins with Playful Reading Rivalry

Encouraging friendly competition is a great way to keep kids motivated to read over the summer. Turning reading into a fun challenge—like participating in a read-a-thon or a family reading contest—can inspire children to pick up more books and stay engaged. Whether it’s tracking the number of books read, minutes spent reading, or completing themed reading challenges, a little competition can go a long way. Offering small rewards, celebrating milestones, or creating a shared reading chart can make the experience exciting and rewarding for everyone involved.

Washington families can take advantage of a variety of summer reading programs that offer fun incentives to keep kids motivated. Many public libraries across Washington participate in the Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP), which encourages kids to keep reading all summer long. Through this statewide initiative, children can join reading challenges at their local library and earn prizes for reaching reading goals—such as reading for a certain number of days or completing themed activities. Libraries often offer badges, small rewards, and special events to celebrate progress and keep kids motivated.

Barnes & Noble offers a free (B & N) Summer Reading Program for children in grades one through grades 6. Read a total of eight books, write the title of each book and what your child like best about the book on their journal. Take the completed journal to Barnes and Noble to get a free book from the booklist for their grade.  Visit the store to ask for a journal or print out the journal at home, to track summer reading. Similarly, Books-A-Million offers a fun reward for summer readers. Kids who read a book from the Summer Reading Adventure list and complete a printable reading log can earn a themed backpack. 

Even Chuck E. Cheese joins in with a Reading Rewards Calendar, available for download in English and Spanish, that earns kids free play points. When kids meet their reading goals, they can bring the calendar to a Chuck E. Cheese location and receive 10 free bonus Play Points through the Page Turning Pro Award. Whether it’s a bedtime story or a brand-new chapter book, this reward celebrates their effort and helps make reading feel like a win. These and other downloadable resources are available on Chuck E. Cheese’s Parent Resource Center webpage.

Additional Summer Reading Resources

Washington State Library has free access to everyone a Washington State Library Digital Inclusion Resource Collection. The Resource Collection contains links to Goodwill job skill training, LinkedIn Learning, and other learning opportunities. LinkedIn Learning offers short classes in photography and other personal interests in addition to business classes. There are thousands to choose from based on personal interest and the classes are all free.

Search locally online for “summer reading [your city]” or “summer reading program near me” because many local or state-specific businesses and restaurants host summer reading programs.

Final Thoughts

Summer is a season full of possibilities—and reading can be one of the most rewarding adventures of all. Whether your child is flipping through picture books, listening to audiobooks, or diving into a favorite series, every page helps build skills, spark imagination, and foster a lifelong love of learning. With so many accessible tools, community programs, and creative ways to make reading fun, families can turn summer into a time of growth and discovery. So grab a book, find a cozy spot, and enjoy the journey—because every story is a step forward.

Happy reading this summer and always!

Learn More

Keeping Kids Busy Through Summer: Summer Camp Alternatives

Posted on by Nicol Walsh

Summer camp is an excellent way for children to spend the long summer days. However, camps are often filled quickly, and many are out of the financial reach of families. Here are some alternatives to those summer camps to entertain children and give caregivers some much needed respite.

A Brief Overview

  • There are many inexpensive ways to entertain children over the summer
  • Check with local parks and recreation for activities, including those for children and youth with disabilities
  • Washington State Parks are wonderful for exploring as a family
  • Consult with family organizations, schools, and educators for ideas and information on programs

Full Article

Local parks and recreation departments often boost their options for children over the summer. These can include sports, preschool classes, and outdoor activities. Some of the parks and rec departments, especially in larger communities, have adaptive or accessible classes, for those with disabilities and/or sensory issues. Boys and Girls Clubs have activities, classes, and day camp for a small fee. Their Find a Club interactive map will let you locate the nearest club. The YMCA also can offer day camp options, along with their usual sports and recreation options. 4H, the nation’s largest youth development organization, has many opportunities for children and youth to engage in hands-on learning, skill building, and community interaction. Various branches of 4H offer Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM) activities, civic engagement, animal science, environmental science, performance arts, nutrition and health, and many, many more activities are available through your local camps.

Washington State Parks provide for a wide range of outdoor activities this summer and even have special events that can be viewed on their calendar. For children four and up, their Junior Ranger Program has activities to print out and ideas for indoor and outdoor fun. For those with physical limitations, an interactive ADA map of park facilities shows the wheelchair accessible options throughout the State Park system.

Libraries often have surprisingly varied options, including reading programs, arts and crafts, educational classes, and movie nights. Many libraries now have take-home kits for creative activities to do with the whole family. Summer reading lists are available both on library websites and in-person.

Movie theaters sometimes offer sensory-friendly film viewing at certain scheduled times, check with the theater. Good for those hot afternoons!

Parent groups and family organizations are often up to date on the latest summer activity offerings around the community. The Arc of Washington and Parent to Parent are both focused on families with children with disabilities or special health care needs, are aware of many opportunities, and may even offer some events for families and kids.

Some school districts have enrichment activities over the summer beyond the extended school year (a.k.a. summer school) options. Local school district websites will have full listings for anything they may offer. Often schools and school districts also have recommendations for summer activities and information on summer events. Teachers are a useful resource for summer ideas and information, as they have heard a lot about what their students are doing this summer, so a quick chat with them may be in order.

Several websites focus on community events and classes that children and youth can be involved in over the summer. The most prominent is Macaroni KID, but others include Parent Map, and Family Day Out. The local Chamber of Commerce and local newspapers also will post some event highlights and may list on their community calendars. Summer is also the time for County Fairs and other events, many of which take place in August.

Lifespan Respite WA (a program of PAVE) has a list of registered providers that is accessible to everyone, where it is possible to find recreation and respite options by county, age served, disabilities served, and respite type. The options listed under Recreation on the “Respite Type” menu has an array of interesting options that may have flown under a family’s radar, such as equine therapy, music classes, and sensory-friendly playgrounds. Check out their page “Creative Options for a Respite Break” for more low-cost and free ideas for summer (and year-round) activities. Visit their Voucher Program page to find out if you qualify for a small grant for short respite breaks!

Tips to Help Parents Plan for the Upcoming School Year

Posted on by Nicol Walsh

A Brief Overview

Full Article

Summer provides an opportunity to reset for the school year ahead. If your child has a disability, you may want to think about what went well or what could have gone better last year. By getting organized, you can plan for fall and beyond. This article includes resources and information to help you get ready for a new school year. 

The Back to School Checklist from PAVE includes a downloadable picture view (infographic) of essential tasks.

Locate and organize documents

Now is a good time to re-read important documents, such as your student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP), Section 504 Plan, or Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP). Organize a place to store the most current copies. Whether you choose an electronic file or a physical folder, label everything with the school year and renewal dates so you can easily notice when something is due for an update.

PAVE provides an article to help: Steps to Read, Understand, and Develop an Initial IEP.

Do you have concerns about anything that’s included or missing from your student’s program or plan? Write down your concerns and plan to use these notes to organize your top priorities. When you have an organized list of your top concerns, save this list to share with the school so these points will be included in your next meeting’s agenda.

Here are questions to think about as you review your child’s IEP, 504 Plan, or BIP

  1. Do the Present Levels of Performance describe your child in current and accurate ways? If not, you may want to request a new evaluation. PAVE provides a Sample Letter and information to help families seeking an evaluation.
  2. If your child has a 504 Plan but has never been formally evaluated, consider requesting a formal special education evaluation to make well-informed decisions about service needs. The state’s Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) offers family-friendly guidance, downloadable in multiple languages, about  Section 504 protections, plan development, and civil rights complaint options.
  3. Do IEP goals sound SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time appropriate), based on the annual renewal date listed on the IEP’s cover page? PAVE has an article to help families participate in goal-setting and progress monitoring.
  4. Does the Adverse Impact Statement list all the major ways that the student’s disability affects how they do in school? If not, does that important statement need to be rewritten? Is there enough evaluation information to write an accurate statement? If not, additional evaluations may be needed.
  5. Make sure the highlighted needs and the services match! Each area of need mentioned in the Adverse Impact Statement must have a service or accommodation that applies to the area of need. Services and accommodations can apply to multiple areas of need.
  6. Is the IEP clearly written to show what skills the student is working on to support progress? For example, if a reading disability makes it hard for the student to keep up with their grade-level reading, does the IEP clearly describe the services and goal setting/progress monitoring to make sure the student is getting better at reading?  
  7. Will each accommodation or modification work in real time to make sure the student has the support they need to use the classroom and curriculum?

Keep in mind that accommodations and modifications are intended to meet the needs of each specific student in an individualized way. Cut-and-paste, generic accommodations are not best practice. The state’s Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) has model forms for Section 504 Plans and IEP with Secondary Transition and IEP without Secondary Transition. If the accommodations need work, make notes and plan to request a meeting.

  1. If there is a Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP), take a careful look at the target behaviors and replacement behaviors to decide whether you agree that the plan is built to support the student’s learning and skill-building. PAVE has a video to help: Behavior and School: How to Participate in the FBA/BIP Process.
  2. Think about how behavior is going this summer and any insights you may wish to share. PAVE provides an article with Tips to Help Parents Reinforce Positive Behaviors at Home.
  3. You can ask for an IEP or 504 plan meeting anytime you have concerns. During summer you may be able to meet with district staff even if school staff are unavailable. The state’s Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) provides a Special Education Staff directory including local, regional and state level staff.
  4. Many parents want to meet with teachers and other school staff a few weeks into a new school year to see how things are going and make sure services are on track to support good outcomes. Plan to schedule your meeting as soon as school staff are back in the building for the best chance to get a day/time that works well for you and the rest of the team.
  5. Keep in mind that the school is required to support your participation in your student’s special education services program development and implementation. PAVE provides an article about the parent participation requirements of special education process.

Mark your calendar with important dates

IEP Annual Renewal date (usually on the cover sheet of the IEP).

The IEP team, including you, needs to meet before that date to review the IEP and make any necessary changes. Mark the renewal date on your calendar and set yourself a reminder to schedule an IEP team meeting about a month before that.

If something happens and you cannot meet before the deadline, keep in mind that your participation is a higher priority than the deadline. Your student’s IEP will not “lapse” or “expire” because of a meeting delay. That deadline is there to hold the school accountable, not to punish families if they need to delay a meeting.

Keep in Mind: If you want an additional meeting, set a calendar reminder to contact the district and as soon as soon as teachers are back at work to get your meeting on everyone’s calendar.

Is a new evaluation due?

 A new evaluation is required every three years to guarantee ongoing eligibility and to make sure that services meet current needs. Note those dates on your calendar.

You can ask for a new evaluation anytime you have concerns about an unmet need that isn’t fully documented or understood. You also have the right to request an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) from a provider outside the school district if you don’t agree with the school’s evaluation.

PAVE has more information and a sample letter for requesting an IEE. As you review your student’s documents, think about whether asking for an evaluation is part of what you want to do. Evaluation requests must always be in writing, and schools are responsible for providing forms to support written requests.

Parent Conferences and other important school dates:

Review the school’s calendar and make notes of parent conferences and other important dates.

If your student will be a graduating senior, plan for senior year activities and make sure to allow plenty of time to request any accommodations. You may want to begin this process in early January.

More information to support families of transition-age youth is available from PAVE: School to Adulthood: Transition Planning Toolkit for High School, Life, and Work.

Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP)

A Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) often needs to be rewritten in a new school year because of changes in staffing and environment. You may want to ask for a fresh Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA) early in the new school year to make sure your child gets a fresh start on the year with supports designed to match current needs.

See PAVE’s training video: Behavior and School: How to Participate in the FBA/BIP Process. Mark your calendar to send a FBA request letter right away if that is something you want to happen when schools reopen in the fall. 

If your child has experienced discipline and/or isolation and restraint in previous school years, summer is a good time to review state and district policies about discipline. PAVE provides an article: What Parents Need to Know when Disability Impacts Behavior and Discipline at School.

Ask for a copy of the district’s student handbook so you clearly understand expected student behavior and what might be grounds for a suspension or expulsion. Review the rules with your child and do your best to check that they understand.

If there are rules you don’t think your child will be able to understand or follow, plan to discuss those challenges with school staff.

Keep in mind that if your student is sent home from school because of behavior, they are being suspended. The school is required to file paperwork with the state and share that paperwork with you. PAVE provides an on-demand training: Discipline and Disability Rights: What to do if Your Child is Being Sent Home.

Make notes about summer regression to talk about ESY for next year

If you notice your child’s emerging skills are lagging during summer vacation, write down what you observe. When school starts again, pay attention to how quickly or if those skills return. This information is important for a discussion with the school about Extended School Year (ESY), which is a special education service provided outside of regular school hours for eligible students. See PAVE’s article for more information: ESY Helps Students Who Struggle to Maintain Skills and Access FAPE.

Is your child with disabilities included with non-disabled peers? How they are included is important to know

Special education laws require education in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) to the maximum (largest) extent appropriate to meet the needs of each student. LRE requires that students with disabilities get the supplementary aids and supports they need so their inclusion is equitable.

Keep in mind: equity doesn’t mean equal. It means people get the support they need to have the same opportunities.

Parents can support their child’s inclusion by thinking about how services might be given in the general education setting. If you think your child’s inclusion can be improved, bring specific ideas into an IEP meeting. Here are some resources you can review to prepare for those discussions with the school:

Write an informal letter to your student’s teachers

Before the new school year gets going, think about what you most want your child’s teachers to understand or remember.

  • Is there something you say at home to help your child stay calm or refocus?
  • Is there a behavioral intervention that’s working well this summer?
  • Is there something unique about your child that isn’t obvious until you get to know them better?
  • What do you most want to share to help teachers understand and support your child?
  • Are there important points in the IEP, 504 Plan, or Behavior Intervention Plan that you want to call attention to?

All these points can be included in a short letter or email you share with teachers at the start of the school year. If you’re not comfortable writing, consider making a short video to share.

Keep in Mind. For a quick guide to keep your back-to-school planning on track,The Back to School Checklist from PAVE includes a downloadable picture view (infographic) of essential tasks.

Enjoy time with your children

Summer can fly by, especially in the Northwest. Getting ready for fall is important, but so is enjoying the sunshine, swimming pools, hiking trails, camping, games, or whatever makes summer special for your family. Relish time to do something that everyone enjoys and notice how you feel. If something feels challenging next year, you can tap back into the feelings you found during a special summer moment to remember what can go well. Teachers want to know those highlights too!

PAVE has an article, with links to self-care videos: Self-Care is Critical for Caregivers with Unique Challenges.

PAVE works all year and is happy to help. If you click Get Help and fill out a request for individualized assistance, we will contact you by phone and/or email and schedule time to discuss your specific questions.

Resources

Here are on demand training videos and articles from PAVE to help parents understand special education rights, the special education process, and family involvement.