What is an IEP and how does it work?
Introduction
An Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is a plan used in the United States to provide educational services to students with disabilities. The purpose of an IEP is to ensure that each student receives the appropriate education tailored to their individual needs so they can reach their maximum potential. Let's take a closer look at how an IEP works.
What is included in an IEP?
An IEP typically includes a student's individual goals, accommodations, and modifications that the school must follow for that student throughout the school year. It also includes information about any related services or therapies provided outside of regular classroom instruction such as speech therapy, physical therapy, or counseling. Additionally, it includes any assessments performed on the student and a timeline for meeting goals.
Who develops an IEP?
The team of people who develop an IEP includes parents, teachers, administrators, counselors, special education personnel and other professionals involved in a student’s education. The team meets regularly to review progress and make necessary adjustments to a student’s program as needed. Each team member has a role in developing and implementing the plan to ensure that it meets all of the student’s needs.
How does an IEP help students?
An IEP provides support for students by giving them access to personalized learning experiences that are tailored to their specific learning style. This helps them stay engaged in learning activities while ensuring they are being challenged appropriately based on their capability level. An IEP also ensures that students receive accommodations or modifications when needed so they can be successful academically and participate fully in classroom activities with their peers.
Conclusion
An Individualized Education Plan (IEP) provides students with disabilities with support tailored specifically for them so they can reach their maximum potential both academically and socially within the classroom setting. It helps teachers provide instruction that is meaningful for each individual student while ensuring students are receiving the necessary accommodations or modifications to help them succeed in school. If you have questions about your child’s individualized education plan, talk to your child’s teacher or school administrator who can provide you with more information about how an IEP works in your particular school district.
Showing posts with label Special education. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Special education. Show all posts
Thursday, March 2, 2023
Monday, August 29, 2022
How to be a substitute teacher or paraprofessional
By Aaron S. Robertson
Introduction
In this post, I offer advice, insights, general strategies, resources, and draw from my own experiences for those interested in serving as substitute teachers and/or substitute paraprofessionals. Back in mid-February (2022), I left my full-time, direct-hire position of 2.5 years as a special education paraprofessional at a middle/high school in a public school district to venture back into the world of subbing. I work as both a sub teacher and a sub paraprofessional covering the full gamut of K-12.
Throughout this post, for those of you who may not be familiar with all the vocabulary used in education, I have shortened the word paraprofessional to para, or aide. When I use the word permanent in an employment context, I am referring to full-time, direct-hire employees of a school or district.
My intended audience assumes that you, the reader, are interested in working as a substitute educator, but you have no prior experience working in education. For those of you who already have prior experience and full teaching licenses, some of the info presented here may not apply to you.
My credentials
The 2022-2023 school year will mark my fifth school year in K-12 education, after spending my working career in business and industry into 2018. In addition to working as a permanent special education paraprofessional and occasional substitute teacher during these past four years, my experience in K-12 education so far also includes proctoring one practice and one live ACT test; providing both general classroom support and 1:1 assistance during one summer school session and one summer STEM camp session; co-teaching a junior English class; tutoring middle and high school students in a variety of subjects, primarily in the social studies, ELA, and business realms; and chaperoning a prom and several other dances.
The competition for subs is really heating up
The 2021-2022 school year was a rough year across the board in K-12 education. I’ve been chatting with teachers, paras, and even administrators all over, and they’re saying the same thing about this past year.
It’s a strange climate in education right now, that’s for sure, and there are major staffing shortages on both fronts – permanent and substitutes. Many permanent staff are leaving their schools and even the profession altogether, and there simply aren’t enough subs and new grads to fill the voids out there. As a result, subs are treated like gold right now. It’s like we ride into town as heroes, treated like royalty. I kid you not. It’s a nice feeling, but it can be overwhelming at times, too. I’m simply trying to make a living like everyone else, and I genuinely want to be there for the kids. Many school districts are upping their daily pay rates for subs. Some are getting creative in other ways, like offering bonuses after so many shifts/days worked, or even free hot lunch.
After subbing for a while, I don’t know if I ever want to go back to working in a permanent capacity ever again
After spending the last four months or so of the 2021-2022 school year subbing, I really don’t know if I ever want to go back to working in a permanent status. I genuinely find myself on the fence regarding this question. I’ve already turned down a number of unsolicited job offers by school and district leaders. I’m loving the freedom and variety.
As I stated earlier, subs really are treated like gold right now in these strange times for K-12 education. Because of huge staffing shortages on both sides – substitutes and those directly hired by schools/districts – subs really do receive a hero’s welcome and have an upper hand in today’s climate. There’s no shortage of work, variety, and opportunity right now for those willing to serve multiple schools/districts and try out multiple roles. Pay, along with other perks, is really getting competitive between districts and schools. And subs generally don’t have to worry about taking any work – and other baggage – home with them.
Working as a permanent employee can expose the employee to the abuses of office and system politics and agendas. It’s my educated guess, based on what I’ve been hearing in the news, along with the personal conversations I’ve had with many in education, that this is the primary reason why so many are calling it quits. Subs are often shielded from a lot of this by the sheer nature of their employment status. For those who just want to be there for the kids, sharing their gifts and talents without the politics and agendas, subbing is an attractive, while increasingly lucrative, option.
Who is subbing for?
Subbing is ideal for a variety of people and for a variety of reasons, depending on factors like career goals, family and other commitments, your need for scheduling flexibility, and so on. For the most part, you can choose to work as often or as little as you’d like, depending on your needs and goals.
I know education majors (college students studying to become teachers) who work from time to time as sub paras around their class schedules. Because they don’t yet have their college degrees, they can’t serve as sub teachers, at least here in Wisconsin. But for them, it’s a wonderful opportunity to gain some initial exposure and practical experience working with students in a live school setting.
I know retired teachers that sub. I know education majors that recently graduated, but they haven’t landed a full-time teaching job yet. There are also plenty of folks that are transitioning into education as a second full-time career, and so subbing offers that initial exposure and practical experience that we just discussed. There are many working-age teachers that have left the full-time game for whatever reason, or they’re looking to land somewhere else eventually, so subbing helps them in this capacity.
Subbing is great for moms; for grandparents whose grandkids are in the schools they serve; for recent college grads of any major who haven’t landed anywhere else yet; and certainly, for anyone wanting to work with children and young adults as coaches, mentors, advisors, and so on.
Looking back on it, knowing what I know now, I wish I would have discovered my current path of subbing/working as a permanent special ed para right away after college. I graduated in 2007, right around the beginning of the housing market crash/recession. As a result, the job market wasn’t the best, either, and for a while there after graduating, I found myself stringing together some odd jobs to make ends meet. It would have also been nice to begin working in K-12 education that early to gain some solid resume experience for getting into college-level teaching later down the road, which I’ll get into in more detail shortly.
So you’re interested in working as a substitute teacher and/or paraprofessional. Where to start?
I would recommend that you begin by calling the local schools in your area. Office staff should be able to provide you with some general information and get you headed in the right direction. You’ll need to secure licensing through your state’s department of education. Here in Wisconsin, our state department is called the Department of Public Instruction (DPI). While you’re on the phone with someone at your local school(s), find out if they hire their subs directly, or if they use a staffing service, like Teachers On Call (TOC) or Edustaff. This will be helpful to know for later down the road.
To work as a substitute teacher in Wisconsin, you’ll need at least an associate’s degree, along with a clean background check and the completion of a brief, state-approved substitute teacher training program to secure a three-year short-term substitute teaching license. This license allows you to serve in any K-12 sub teaching role through 45 consecutive days at a time. I recently learned that private schools can waive the 45-day consecutive day maximum. Additionally, this sub teaching license automatically allows you to work as a special education paraprofessional or other aide, with no limit on the number of consecutive days in the same role.
There is a standalone special education aide license issued by the Wisconsin DPI, as well. This license is good for five years and only allows you to work as a special ed para or other aide, so you can’t sub teach with this license. For this license, you’ll need a high school diploma, clean background check, and usually the endorsement of a hiring school district that is agreeing to sign off on the license application to the state certifying there is a need for you.
Looking for hidden gems
These days, substitute services like Teachers On Call (TOC) and Edustaff have made subbing simple and streamlined for both subs and districts/schools. Many districts and private/religious/charter schools contract with these services to ensure a stable, efficient pool of qualified, trained, and dependable substitute teachers, paras, and other aides. Yet, there are many schools and districts that aren’t currently filling their sub needs through one of these services, and that’s why I suggested earlier you may want to begin by reaching out to your area schools directly. Many Catholic, Lutheran, and other religious and private schools, as well as plenty of public school districts and charter schools still hire their subs directly, as opposed to contracting with a service like TOC and Edustaff. This makes these off-the-radar schools and districts hidden gems that you’ll have to seek out yourself.
Endless variety – finding your niche(s) as a substitute
Should I work with elementary students? Middle school? High school? Should I work in special ed or regular ed? If I’m qualified to work as either, should I just work as a sub teacher, or should I take work as a sub para/aide, as well? If I’m working with middle school and/or high school students, what subjects should I fill in for? Should I only work in public schools, the religious/private/charter realm, or both? These are all good, solid questions you may be asking yourself right now, and I’m willing to bet you have more. Let’s dive into a lot of these and hopefully ease your mind.
The short answer to all these questions is, “It’s really up to you.” Don’t be afraid to experiment here. Try working with different age groups and grade levels, subjects, special ed (we’ll discuss special ed more a little later), etc. for a while, and you’ll eventually begin to discover one or more niche areas that you’re passionate about and would like to specialize in.
I know this may sound somewhat vague and hence not very reassuring and comforting, so I’ll share with you my own background in more detail here, and how I came to find my niche areas that I’m very much passionate about. They’re quite diverse, and they all revolve around my unique interests, formal education, past work experiences, talents and skill sets, and even my faith.
To begin, when it comes to age groups/grade levels, I primarily work with middle and high school students. For me, I love the higher-level conversations I can have with these students because of their ages. With my business background, I really enjoy discussing, offering advice on, and researching with students, the college application process, college majors and career tracks, gaining practical and meaningful work experiences, networking opportunities, personal finance subjects, marketing and entrepreneurship, creating resumes and cover letters, and making real-world work and career connections to the subjects they are learning in school.
I also have a working background in journalism, local news reporting, and professional communications. Combined with my love for the social sciences (my bachelor’s degree is in political science with minors in sociology and philosophy, and my Ph.D. dissertation interests are in the political science and leadership realms with a focus on China), and I really enjoy, and feel knowledgeable and comfortable working in, both the ELA and social studies realms, as well. I love helping students craft essays and other writing assignments. I can discuss and help research history, political and economic theories, and so on. I can assist with reading and note-taking strategies.
Although I much prefer the middle and high school settings, lately, I’ve been taking more and more elementary school gigs to broaden my horizons and see what and how kids are learning at this level these days. I’m deeply concerned that elementary students are learning to read the wrong way these days, and this certainly affects them down the line as they grow older.
When it comes to subjects, I serve at all grade levels as both a special ed teacher and special ed para when I’m subbing. At the high school level, specifically, as I already alluded to, I like to fill in for business, English, and social studies teachers. In the elementary realm, I’ll occasionally fill in as a lead regular ed classroom teacher in addition to special ed roles. When it comes to the middle school setting, I’ve primarily stuck to special ed, but I’ll venture out into content-specific areas from time to time. I’ve done math, social studies, foreign languages, and physical education.
Finally, I love serving as a sub in Catholic schools, as well. I rediscovered my Roman Catholic faith back in December 2021 after nearly 20 years in the dark wilderness. That’s another, standalone, epic story/blog post for another time. But in short here, I love contributing to the faith life of Catholic youngsters whenever I can. This has also led me to inquire with my parish about teaching Sunday catechism, which I will soon be doing. As a sub teacher, I’ve taught K-8 faith formation lessons, and I’ve led elementary classrooms to Mass and even a Stations of the Cross prayer session during this past Lenten season.
The point I’m trying to make here with all this background info about myself is that it’s my background that has largely shaped and informed my interests and strengths when it comes to subbing. What is your background? What’s your story? What are your own unique experiences, talents and skillsets, etc. that you can bring to the table to benefit students in ways that are meaningful and impactful for both the students and you? Really reflect on these questions, because the answers to them will help you figure out what you’re truly called to teach.
The special education setting – Easing your fears; a world offering plenty of variety and opportunity for the substitute teacher and/or paraprofessional
How I got into special education is, admittedly, a boring and uninspiring story. Being quite honest here, I didn’t feel some sort of special calling. There was no person, situation, incident, etc. in my life that particularly compelled me to dive into this realm. I merely saw it as an inroad to break into the realm of education. Back in 2018, as I was working on my Ph.D. (I’m still working on that…), I was interested in the idea of teaching college students someday, or at least having that option available to me. I was finding it difficult at the time to get hired at the college level with my master’s degree (in management) but with no formal teaching experience, so I began exploring the K-12 realm to hopefully lay some groundwork and proven experience on my resume. That’s why I mentioned earlier that, looking back on it, knowing what I know now, I wish I would have gotten into K-12 education right away after earning my bachelor’s degree in 2007 to lay that foundation.
Long story short, I investigated several possible pathways beginning in 2018 to earning full teaching certification in subjects I enjoyed and had some sort of background in, but they all required me to either go back to school taking undergrad courses, participating in a night school -type program, and/or going through the traditional, unpaid, student teaching route for a semester. None of this was practical or appealing to me, so I decided to pursue work as a permanent special ed para and occasional sub teacher. I would need a high school diploma for the former (check), and at least an associate’s degree for the latter here in Wisconsin (check), along with passing a background check (check), so this became my path.
Even though I didn’t feel some sort of special calling; even though there was no person, situation, incident, etc. in my life that particularly compelled me to dive into this realm, I’m so very thankful that this did indeed become my path. It’s been truly rewarding on many levels, and I hope you’ll discover the same for you. Getting in the door as a permanent special ed para also led to opportunities for me that I actively sought out in the regular ed environment, as well, like administering tests, tutoring, chaperoning, leading small group discussions and lessons, co-teaching, and so on.
Here’s the general gist about working in special education, either as a sub teacher or sub para: If you have fears, like whether you’re qualified, ready to take on the challenges, afraid of possible physical and other behavioral outbursts, push them out of your mind.
I’ve found when filling in as a substitute para that the permanent staff will almost always change their own schedules for the day to prevent you from working with the most challenging cases. This includes behavioral outbursts, toileting, lifting, etc. Permanent staff usually doesn’t expect you to have to work with these types of cases. They’re grateful you’re there to help, and they want you to return! And often, it’s in the best interests of the students, as well. They may be more prone to acting out and taking advantage of you because they know you don’t usually work with them, and/or it may be aggravating to them that their usual routine has been interrupted.
Similarly, I’ve found when filling in as a sub teacher in special ed, the permanent paras and other staff will often take care of everything for you. Trust them. Let them lead. They know and understand each student inside and out because they work with them every day.
Now, as a former permanent special ed para myself, I come into each special ed substitute gig, whether teaching or working as a para, mentally prepared and open for anything. I’ve done plenty of toileting, lifting, feeding, and so on in my time. I’m well-versed in Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs). I’m familiar and comfortable working with most assistive technologies, etc. So, I tell the permanent staff right away at the beginning of the day, “I’m one of you. I’m here to help in whatever way I can. I’m here to work.” But that’s me. That’s my comfort level. That’s my experience. Even though I offer that invite at the beginning of the day, though, permanent staff will still often decline it for the reasons just mentioned – the most challenging students may simply try to take advantage of the fact that I’m new, and/or it could genuinely aggravate them that they’re working with an unfamiliar face who is interrupting their routine.
As both a sub teacher and sub para in special ed, I’ve enjoyed so much variety and so many meaningful and impactful moments, with both students and staff. On a longer-term assignment I was on, working as a sub para at a high school, I had the opportunity to help a student make a how-to video in his automotive repair class, in which he performed several basic maintenance checks on a vehicle. In this same longer-term role, I worked 1:1 supporting a student in a personal finance class, which was a lot of fun for me, given my business background. I’ve assisted students in math, English, social studies, gym, music, and science classes. I’ve led small group reading lesson sessions. I've done skills testing. I helped a high school student develop a marketing plan for a food truck business he created for his marketing class. Again, a lot of fun for me. Working in special ed offers a lot of variety and opportunity, along with being intrinsically rewarding by its very nature. I’m about to begin the 2022-2023 school year in a long-term sub teaching role in special ed at the elementary level, and I’m really looking forward to it.
Different strategies you can use for subbing
There are several strategies you can employ for managing your work and overall experience as a substitute.
To book gigs in advance, or take it day-by-day?
I struggle with this one, often going back and forth debating in my mind. There are benefits and drawbacks to both. However, I usually fall on the side of booking in advance. I work in multiple school districts, and I need to work consistently for financial reasons. It’s comforting to know, then, that my calendar is booked solid far in advance. The downside to this, though, is that, by having gigs booked in advance, the booking system will not allow me to see what other opportunities might be available on any given day. Perhaps a higher-paying gig, and/or one closer to home, and/or a school I already know and like is available, but I won’t know this if I’m already booked in advance. This is where taking the day-by-day approach has its perks. The downside to taking one day at a time, however, is that you may not have an available gig to go to on any given day. If you need to work for the income, this can deliver a blow to your finances. You’ll also need to be up by 5:30am-6am every day to start checking the system and your phone. Only you can decide on the strategy that makes the most sense to you.
Many districts, or narrow it down to one or two?
This is another decision that only you can make, based on what you feel is best for you. Casting a wider net ensures that there is virtually no shortage of available work opportunities. On the other hand, if you’ve discovered a couple schools/districts that you really enjoy, then you may miss out on seeing gigs at those schools/in those districts. Narrowing the scope (the number of districts you’re open to) can help with this, but on the other hand, the pickings may become slim and dry spells (streaks with no available work) may occur.
When I started subbing again back in mid-February, I began with a wide net approach. I was opened to working in five or six districts. I soon began to realize, however, that I had discovered my “favorites” when it came to schools and districts, so I decided to cut that number in half by the end of April. I realized that there were schools and districts I wasn’t visiting at all. No offense to them. I just found some favorites I really enjoy working at. We’re creatures of habit, and it’s easy to stick to something that you already know is working for you and that you enjoy. I’m sure you will discover your own, too.
Finding your favorites and narrowing your focus also helps with building rapport and establishing networking connections if your goal is to eventually get hired directly by a school/district you enjoy. If you want to remain a sub, rather than getting hired by a school/district directly, then this relationship-building and familiarity with the school/district in question can help you secure preferred sub status – this is where teachers, paraprofessionals, and the school office may reach out to you first because they’ve gotten to know and trust you! I’ve been very blessed to find this happening more and more for me. I receive a lot of inquiries about my availability directly from teachers, paras, and school offices now.
Conclusion and helpful resources
These are indeed unusual times for K-12 education across the country right now. It’s a strange climate. There are major staffing shortages in both schools and among the substitute ranks, and so working subs currently have quite an advantage. This is a high-in-demand field to be in right now, one in which pay and other incentives among districts and schools are really starting to get competitive.
If you’re interested in learning more about subbing, start by contacting schools in your area to see what their hiring process is and to get some general direction on next steps, like the state licensing process. Look into whatever substitute staffing services, if any, service the schools in your area, like TOC and Edustaff. They can help you begin looking into the state licensing process and give you general direction on where to go next, as well. While you’re beginning to investigate all of this, begin reflecting on these key questions in mind that we raised earlier:
What is your background? What’s your story? What are your own unique experiences, talents and skillsets, etc. that you can bring to the table to benefit students in ways that are meaningful and impactful for both the students and you?
As for training and other learning opportunities, there are plenty of wonderful resources out there that can help you build new or strengthen existing skills. You can buy affordable courses on a variety of K-12 education subjects, including special education topics, on Udemy.com. I love Udemy, and you can read my review of this awesome learning platform here. I fulfilled my substitute teacher training course requirement as part of my state license application through STEDI.org. You can come across many different resources with a few simple YouTube and/or Google searches, like this article on ThoughtCo.com, “Ideas for Substitute Teachers With No Lesson Plans,” or this piece on WeAreTeachers.com, “50 Tips, Tricks, and Ideas for Substitute Teachers.” The substitute staffing agencies, if you end up working for them, offer a rich variety of both required and voluntary training videos, webinars, in-person workshops, and so on. But perhaps the best advice I can leave you with here when it comes to training, is that you simply need to dive in. Learn by doing. Ask questions, try out different grade levels, try out both reg ed and special ed, etc. Best of luck to you and thank you for wanting to serve our children, families, communities, and country in this very special way!
Introduction
In this post, I offer advice, insights, general strategies, resources, and draw from my own experiences for those interested in serving as substitute teachers and/or substitute paraprofessionals. Back in mid-February (2022), I left my full-time, direct-hire position of 2.5 years as a special education paraprofessional at a middle/high school in a public school district to venture back into the world of subbing. I work as both a sub teacher and a sub paraprofessional covering the full gamut of K-12.
Throughout this post, for those of you who may not be familiar with all the vocabulary used in education, I have shortened the word paraprofessional to para, or aide. When I use the word permanent in an employment context, I am referring to full-time, direct-hire employees of a school or district.
My intended audience assumes that you, the reader, are interested in working as a substitute educator, but you have no prior experience working in education. For those of you who already have prior experience and full teaching licenses, some of the info presented here may not apply to you.
My credentials
The 2022-2023 school year will mark my fifth school year in K-12 education, after spending my working career in business and industry into 2018. In addition to working as a permanent special education paraprofessional and occasional substitute teacher during these past four years, my experience in K-12 education so far also includes proctoring one practice and one live ACT test; providing both general classroom support and 1:1 assistance during one summer school session and one summer STEM camp session; co-teaching a junior English class; tutoring middle and high school students in a variety of subjects, primarily in the social studies, ELA, and business realms; and chaperoning a prom and several other dances.
The competition for subs is really heating up
The 2021-2022 school year was a rough year across the board in K-12 education. I’ve been chatting with teachers, paras, and even administrators all over, and they’re saying the same thing about this past year.
It’s a strange climate in education right now, that’s for sure, and there are major staffing shortages on both fronts – permanent and substitutes. Many permanent staff are leaving their schools and even the profession altogether, and there simply aren’t enough subs and new grads to fill the voids out there. As a result, subs are treated like gold right now. It’s like we ride into town as heroes, treated like royalty. I kid you not. It’s a nice feeling, but it can be overwhelming at times, too. I’m simply trying to make a living like everyone else, and I genuinely want to be there for the kids. Many school districts are upping their daily pay rates for subs. Some are getting creative in other ways, like offering bonuses after so many shifts/days worked, or even free hot lunch.
After subbing for a while, I don’t know if I ever want to go back to working in a permanent capacity ever again
After spending the last four months or so of the 2021-2022 school year subbing, I really don’t know if I ever want to go back to working in a permanent status. I genuinely find myself on the fence regarding this question. I’ve already turned down a number of unsolicited job offers by school and district leaders. I’m loving the freedom and variety.
As I stated earlier, subs really are treated like gold right now in these strange times for K-12 education. Because of huge staffing shortages on both sides – substitutes and those directly hired by schools/districts – subs really do receive a hero’s welcome and have an upper hand in today’s climate. There’s no shortage of work, variety, and opportunity right now for those willing to serve multiple schools/districts and try out multiple roles. Pay, along with other perks, is really getting competitive between districts and schools. And subs generally don’t have to worry about taking any work – and other baggage – home with them.
Working as a permanent employee can expose the employee to the abuses of office and system politics and agendas. It’s my educated guess, based on what I’ve been hearing in the news, along with the personal conversations I’ve had with many in education, that this is the primary reason why so many are calling it quits. Subs are often shielded from a lot of this by the sheer nature of their employment status. For those who just want to be there for the kids, sharing their gifts and talents without the politics and agendas, subbing is an attractive, while increasingly lucrative, option.
Who is subbing for?
Subbing is ideal for a variety of people and for a variety of reasons, depending on factors like career goals, family and other commitments, your need for scheduling flexibility, and so on. For the most part, you can choose to work as often or as little as you’d like, depending on your needs and goals.
I know education majors (college students studying to become teachers) who work from time to time as sub paras around their class schedules. Because they don’t yet have their college degrees, they can’t serve as sub teachers, at least here in Wisconsin. But for them, it’s a wonderful opportunity to gain some initial exposure and practical experience working with students in a live school setting.
I know retired teachers that sub. I know education majors that recently graduated, but they haven’t landed a full-time teaching job yet. There are also plenty of folks that are transitioning into education as a second full-time career, and so subbing offers that initial exposure and practical experience that we just discussed. There are many working-age teachers that have left the full-time game for whatever reason, or they’re looking to land somewhere else eventually, so subbing helps them in this capacity.
Subbing is great for moms; for grandparents whose grandkids are in the schools they serve; for recent college grads of any major who haven’t landed anywhere else yet; and certainly, for anyone wanting to work with children and young adults as coaches, mentors, advisors, and so on.
Looking back on it, knowing what I know now, I wish I would have discovered my current path of subbing/working as a permanent special ed para right away after college. I graduated in 2007, right around the beginning of the housing market crash/recession. As a result, the job market wasn’t the best, either, and for a while there after graduating, I found myself stringing together some odd jobs to make ends meet. It would have also been nice to begin working in K-12 education that early to gain some solid resume experience for getting into college-level teaching later down the road, which I’ll get into in more detail shortly.
So you’re interested in working as a substitute teacher and/or paraprofessional. Where to start?
I would recommend that you begin by calling the local schools in your area. Office staff should be able to provide you with some general information and get you headed in the right direction. You’ll need to secure licensing through your state’s department of education. Here in Wisconsin, our state department is called the Department of Public Instruction (DPI). While you’re on the phone with someone at your local school(s), find out if they hire their subs directly, or if they use a staffing service, like Teachers On Call (TOC) or Edustaff. This will be helpful to know for later down the road.
To work as a substitute teacher in Wisconsin, you’ll need at least an associate’s degree, along with a clean background check and the completion of a brief, state-approved substitute teacher training program to secure a three-year short-term substitute teaching license. This license allows you to serve in any K-12 sub teaching role through 45 consecutive days at a time. I recently learned that private schools can waive the 45-day consecutive day maximum. Additionally, this sub teaching license automatically allows you to work as a special education paraprofessional or other aide, with no limit on the number of consecutive days in the same role.
There is a standalone special education aide license issued by the Wisconsin DPI, as well. This license is good for five years and only allows you to work as a special ed para or other aide, so you can’t sub teach with this license. For this license, you’ll need a high school diploma, clean background check, and usually the endorsement of a hiring school district that is agreeing to sign off on the license application to the state certifying there is a need for you.
Looking for hidden gems
These days, substitute services like Teachers On Call (TOC) and Edustaff have made subbing simple and streamlined for both subs and districts/schools. Many districts and private/religious/charter schools contract with these services to ensure a stable, efficient pool of qualified, trained, and dependable substitute teachers, paras, and other aides. Yet, there are many schools and districts that aren’t currently filling their sub needs through one of these services, and that’s why I suggested earlier you may want to begin by reaching out to your area schools directly. Many Catholic, Lutheran, and other religious and private schools, as well as plenty of public school districts and charter schools still hire their subs directly, as opposed to contracting with a service like TOC and Edustaff. This makes these off-the-radar schools and districts hidden gems that you’ll have to seek out yourself.
Endless variety – finding your niche(s) as a substitute
Should I work with elementary students? Middle school? High school? Should I work in special ed or regular ed? If I’m qualified to work as either, should I just work as a sub teacher, or should I take work as a sub para/aide, as well? If I’m working with middle school and/or high school students, what subjects should I fill in for? Should I only work in public schools, the religious/private/charter realm, or both? These are all good, solid questions you may be asking yourself right now, and I’m willing to bet you have more. Let’s dive into a lot of these and hopefully ease your mind.
The short answer to all these questions is, “It’s really up to you.” Don’t be afraid to experiment here. Try working with different age groups and grade levels, subjects, special ed (we’ll discuss special ed more a little later), etc. for a while, and you’ll eventually begin to discover one or more niche areas that you’re passionate about and would like to specialize in.
I know this may sound somewhat vague and hence not very reassuring and comforting, so I’ll share with you my own background in more detail here, and how I came to find my niche areas that I’m very much passionate about. They’re quite diverse, and they all revolve around my unique interests, formal education, past work experiences, talents and skill sets, and even my faith.
To begin, when it comes to age groups/grade levels, I primarily work with middle and high school students. For me, I love the higher-level conversations I can have with these students because of their ages. With my business background, I really enjoy discussing, offering advice on, and researching with students, the college application process, college majors and career tracks, gaining practical and meaningful work experiences, networking opportunities, personal finance subjects, marketing and entrepreneurship, creating resumes and cover letters, and making real-world work and career connections to the subjects they are learning in school.
I also have a working background in journalism, local news reporting, and professional communications. Combined with my love for the social sciences (my bachelor’s degree is in political science with minors in sociology and philosophy, and my Ph.D. dissertation interests are in the political science and leadership realms with a focus on China), and I really enjoy, and feel knowledgeable and comfortable working in, both the ELA and social studies realms, as well. I love helping students craft essays and other writing assignments. I can discuss and help research history, political and economic theories, and so on. I can assist with reading and note-taking strategies.
Although I much prefer the middle and high school settings, lately, I’ve been taking more and more elementary school gigs to broaden my horizons and see what and how kids are learning at this level these days. I’m deeply concerned that elementary students are learning to read the wrong way these days, and this certainly affects them down the line as they grow older.
When it comes to subjects, I serve at all grade levels as both a special ed teacher and special ed para when I’m subbing. At the high school level, specifically, as I already alluded to, I like to fill in for business, English, and social studies teachers. In the elementary realm, I’ll occasionally fill in as a lead regular ed classroom teacher in addition to special ed roles. When it comes to the middle school setting, I’ve primarily stuck to special ed, but I’ll venture out into content-specific areas from time to time. I’ve done math, social studies, foreign languages, and physical education.
Finally, I love serving as a sub in Catholic schools, as well. I rediscovered my Roman Catholic faith back in December 2021 after nearly 20 years in the dark wilderness. That’s another, standalone, epic story/blog post for another time. But in short here, I love contributing to the faith life of Catholic youngsters whenever I can. This has also led me to inquire with my parish about teaching Sunday catechism, which I will soon be doing. As a sub teacher, I’ve taught K-8 faith formation lessons, and I’ve led elementary classrooms to Mass and even a Stations of the Cross prayer session during this past Lenten season.
The point I’m trying to make here with all this background info about myself is that it’s my background that has largely shaped and informed my interests and strengths when it comes to subbing. What is your background? What’s your story? What are your own unique experiences, talents and skillsets, etc. that you can bring to the table to benefit students in ways that are meaningful and impactful for both the students and you? Really reflect on these questions, because the answers to them will help you figure out what you’re truly called to teach.
The special education setting – Easing your fears; a world offering plenty of variety and opportunity for the substitute teacher and/or paraprofessional
How I got into special education is, admittedly, a boring and uninspiring story. Being quite honest here, I didn’t feel some sort of special calling. There was no person, situation, incident, etc. in my life that particularly compelled me to dive into this realm. I merely saw it as an inroad to break into the realm of education. Back in 2018, as I was working on my Ph.D. (I’m still working on that…), I was interested in the idea of teaching college students someday, or at least having that option available to me. I was finding it difficult at the time to get hired at the college level with my master’s degree (in management) but with no formal teaching experience, so I began exploring the K-12 realm to hopefully lay some groundwork and proven experience on my resume. That’s why I mentioned earlier that, looking back on it, knowing what I know now, I wish I would have gotten into K-12 education right away after earning my bachelor’s degree in 2007 to lay that foundation.
Long story short, I investigated several possible pathways beginning in 2018 to earning full teaching certification in subjects I enjoyed and had some sort of background in, but they all required me to either go back to school taking undergrad courses, participating in a night school -type program, and/or going through the traditional, unpaid, student teaching route for a semester. None of this was practical or appealing to me, so I decided to pursue work as a permanent special ed para and occasional sub teacher. I would need a high school diploma for the former (check), and at least an associate’s degree for the latter here in Wisconsin (check), along with passing a background check (check), so this became my path.
Even though I didn’t feel some sort of special calling; even though there was no person, situation, incident, etc. in my life that particularly compelled me to dive into this realm, I’m so very thankful that this did indeed become my path. It’s been truly rewarding on many levels, and I hope you’ll discover the same for you. Getting in the door as a permanent special ed para also led to opportunities for me that I actively sought out in the regular ed environment, as well, like administering tests, tutoring, chaperoning, leading small group discussions and lessons, co-teaching, and so on.
Here’s the general gist about working in special education, either as a sub teacher or sub para: If you have fears, like whether you’re qualified, ready to take on the challenges, afraid of possible physical and other behavioral outbursts, push them out of your mind.
I’ve found when filling in as a substitute para that the permanent staff will almost always change their own schedules for the day to prevent you from working with the most challenging cases. This includes behavioral outbursts, toileting, lifting, etc. Permanent staff usually doesn’t expect you to have to work with these types of cases. They’re grateful you’re there to help, and they want you to return! And often, it’s in the best interests of the students, as well. They may be more prone to acting out and taking advantage of you because they know you don’t usually work with them, and/or it may be aggravating to them that their usual routine has been interrupted.
Similarly, I’ve found when filling in as a sub teacher in special ed, the permanent paras and other staff will often take care of everything for you. Trust them. Let them lead. They know and understand each student inside and out because they work with them every day.
Now, as a former permanent special ed para myself, I come into each special ed substitute gig, whether teaching or working as a para, mentally prepared and open for anything. I’ve done plenty of toileting, lifting, feeding, and so on in my time. I’m well-versed in Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs). I’m familiar and comfortable working with most assistive technologies, etc. So, I tell the permanent staff right away at the beginning of the day, “I’m one of you. I’m here to help in whatever way I can. I’m here to work.” But that’s me. That’s my comfort level. That’s my experience. Even though I offer that invite at the beginning of the day, though, permanent staff will still often decline it for the reasons just mentioned – the most challenging students may simply try to take advantage of the fact that I’m new, and/or it could genuinely aggravate them that they’re working with an unfamiliar face who is interrupting their routine.
As both a sub teacher and sub para in special ed, I’ve enjoyed so much variety and so many meaningful and impactful moments, with both students and staff. On a longer-term assignment I was on, working as a sub para at a high school, I had the opportunity to help a student make a how-to video in his automotive repair class, in which he performed several basic maintenance checks on a vehicle. In this same longer-term role, I worked 1:1 supporting a student in a personal finance class, which was a lot of fun for me, given my business background. I’ve assisted students in math, English, social studies, gym, music, and science classes. I’ve led small group reading lesson sessions. I've done skills testing. I helped a high school student develop a marketing plan for a food truck business he created for his marketing class. Again, a lot of fun for me. Working in special ed offers a lot of variety and opportunity, along with being intrinsically rewarding by its very nature. I’m about to begin the 2022-2023 school year in a long-term sub teaching role in special ed at the elementary level, and I’m really looking forward to it.
Different strategies you can use for subbing
There are several strategies you can employ for managing your work and overall experience as a substitute.
To book gigs in advance, or take it day-by-day?
I struggle with this one, often going back and forth debating in my mind. There are benefits and drawbacks to both. However, I usually fall on the side of booking in advance. I work in multiple school districts, and I need to work consistently for financial reasons. It’s comforting to know, then, that my calendar is booked solid far in advance. The downside to this, though, is that, by having gigs booked in advance, the booking system will not allow me to see what other opportunities might be available on any given day. Perhaps a higher-paying gig, and/or one closer to home, and/or a school I already know and like is available, but I won’t know this if I’m already booked in advance. This is where taking the day-by-day approach has its perks. The downside to taking one day at a time, however, is that you may not have an available gig to go to on any given day. If you need to work for the income, this can deliver a blow to your finances. You’ll also need to be up by 5:30am-6am every day to start checking the system and your phone. Only you can decide on the strategy that makes the most sense to you.
Many districts, or narrow it down to one or two?
This is another decision that only you can make, based on what you feel is best for you. Casting a wider net ensures that there is virtually no shortage of available work opportunities. On the other hand, if you’ve discovered a couple schools/districts that you really enjoy, then you may miss out on seeing gigs at those schools/in those districts. Narrowing the scope (the number of districts you’re open to) can help with this, but on the other hand, the pickings may become slim and dry spells (streaks with no available work) may occur.
When I started subbing again back in mid-February, I began with a wide net approach. I was opened to working in five or six districts. I soon began to realize, however, that I had discovered my “favorites” when it came to schools and districts, so I decided to cut that number in half by the end of April. I realized that there were schools and districts I wasn’t visiting at all. No offense to them. I just found some favorites I really enjoy working at. We’re creatures of habit, and it’s easy to stick to something that you already know is working for you and that you enjoy. I’m sure you will discover your own, too.
Finding your favorites and narrowing your focus also helps with building rapport and establishing networking connections if your goal is to eventually get hired directly by a school/district you enjoy. If you want to remain a sub, rather than getting hired by a school/district directly, then this relationship-building and familiarity with the school/district in question can help you secure preferred sub status – this is where teachers, paraprofessionals, and the school office may reach out to you first because they’ve gotten to know and trust you! I’ve been very blessed to find this happening more and more for me. I receive a lot of inquiries about my availability directly from teachers, paras, and school offices now.
Conclusion and helpful resources
These are indeed unusual times for K-12 education across the country right now. It’s a strange climate. There are major staffing shortages in both schools and among the substitute ranks, and so working subs currently have quite an advantage. This is a high-in-demand field to be in right now, one in which pay and other incentives among districts and schools are really starting to get competitive.
If you’re interested in learning more about subbing, start by contacting schools in your area to see what their hiring process is and to get some general direction on next steps, like the state licensing process. Look into whatever substitute staffing services, if any, service the schools in your area, like TOC and Edustaff. They can help you begin looking into the state licensing process and give you general direction on where to go next, as well. While you’re beginning to investigate all of this, begin reflecting on these key questions in mind that we raised earlier:
What is your background? What’s your story? What are your own unique experiences, talents and skillsets, etc. that you can bring to the table to benefit students in ways that are meaningful and impactful for both the students and you?
As for training and other learning opportunities, there are plenty of wonderful resources out there that can help you build new or strengthen existing skills. You can buy affordable courses on a variety of K-12 education subjects, including special education topics, on Udemy.com. I love Udemy, and you can read my review of this awesome learning platform here. I fulfilled my substitute teacher training course requirement as part of my state license application through STEDI.org. You can come across many different resources with a few simple YouTube and/or Google searches, like this article on ThoughtCo.com, “Ideas for Substitute Teachers With No Lesson Plans,” or this piece on WeAreTeachers.com, “50 Tips, Tricks, and Ideas for Substitute Teachers.” The substitute staffing agencies, if you end up working for them, offer a rich variety of both required and voluntary training videos, webinars, in-person workshops, and so on. But perhaps the best advice I can leave you with here when it comes to training, is that you simply need to dive in. Learn by doing. Ask questions, try out different grade levels, try out both reg ed and special ed, etc. Best of luck to you and thank you for wanting to serve our children, families, communities, and country in this very special way!
Friday, August 19, 2022
Fight to save gifted and talented programs in schools
Aaron S. Robertson
Recently, I came across this article in the Wall Street Journal, "The Unclear Future for Gifted-and-Talented Education."
From the article:
"Controversy has ramped up around the longtime practice of providing accelerated classes for selected students. Racial-justice movements highlighted inequalities, prompting changes in districts across the nation. Lawsuits related to these programs are pending in states including Virginia, Missouri and New York.I don't often editorialize here at this blog, but I must say this article troubled me. It's my sincere hope that we as a nation and as individual communities and school districts will choose to fall on the side of finding meaningful ways to sustain and expand these programs to include more students, rather than simply choosing to eliminate them altogether in the name of racial and income equality. Because it unfairly punishes each and every individual student either already deemed gifted and talented, or possessing as-of-yet unrecognized potential, following the latter approach will only continue to weaken us as a country and society on the collective level. It is unjust, therefore - indeed, it is immoral - on multiple levels, to pursue the latter path and intentionally hold back the education and development of young minds with these levels of talent and potential.
Critics say gifted-and-talented classes lead to racial segregation and take resources away from other students who need them. Even some proponents say changes may be needed in methods for selecting students and in the names of these programs, which many brand as elitist."
Now, there's no doubt that the state of American education, as a whole, is in a state of serious turmoil, and these gifted and talented programs are just one slice of the big pie that makes up K-12 education. I understand that. I primarily work in special education, and I'm as equally passionate about ensuring students with IEPs and 504s are receiving all the services and resources they need for success, too. The same with all the kids in the "middle" that are right on grade level and moving through the regular education environment. It's a big pie, no doubt, and there are always internal and external fights and competitions for funding and other valuable resources taking place between each slice.
But I'm particularly concerned and bothered by the arguments made by some educators, administrators, and others quoted or cited in this article. There seems to be a prevailing sense among many that gifted and talented programs should be eliminated outright because, again, they contend, there currently are not enough minorities and poorer kids represented in them. I think it's a weak argument for elimination, one that punishes these students specifically, and broader society and our country generally, by seeking to hold back their proven gifts and potential.
I have an interest in international relations (IR), and I'm a China observer. When we combine the elimination of these programs with the broader problem of 300,000 teacher and support staff vacancies across the U.S. right now, China, along with other countries around the world, really has to be laughing at - and learning from - us. Global competition and threats are real.
Let's focus on finding more ways to bring more students into the fold, rather than lowering standards of excellence across the board over perceived privilege. It's a very poor, and even dangerous, solution to the problem. Again, I state with clear conviction, that it is immoral to intentionally hold back the education and development of young minds with these levels of talent and potential. We need to educate them, nurture their gifts, and simultaneously help them develop virtue and character so that they truly come to understand and appreciate their gifts - and the responsibilities to themselves and to others that come with them.
No matter who you are - whether you're a student, parent, fellow educator, or simply a concerned citizen reading this - I invite and encourage you to get more involved if you're worried about the future of these gifted and talented programs in our country. Do further research and write letters to the editor for your local and state newspapers. Talk with your elected state and federal representatives. Talk with your school board members. Talk with teachers and administrators. If you have your own blog or website, use it to make your voice heard and contribute to the debate. Feel free to leave your thoughts, questions, ideas, concerns, research, and experiences right here at my blog, in the Comments section below.
Tuesday, March 24, 2020
Emotional Disturbance
Emotional Disturbance (ED) and Emotional Behavioral Disorders (EBD)
The terms EBD (which stands for Emotional Behavioral Disorders) and ED (Emotional Disturbance) are often mistakenly used interchangeably, but Emotional Disturbance (ED) is the official term used in federal special education law, and it has a specific definition and set of criteria that must be met as laid out in the law.
Emotional Disturbance, according to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) of 2004, is,
A condition exhibiting one or more of the following characteristics over a long period of time and to a marked degree that adversely affects a child's educational performance:As previously stated, the terms EBD (which stands for Emotional Behavioral Disorders) and ED (Emotional Disturbance) are often mistakenly used interchangeably, but Emotional Disturbance (ED) is the official term used in federal special education law, specifically IDEA of 2004.
- An inability to learn that can't be explained by intellectual, sensory, or health factors.
- An inability to build or maintain satisfactory interpersonal relationships with peers and teachers.
- Inappropriate types of behavior or feelings under normal circumstances.
- A general pervasive mood of unhappiness or depression.
- A tendency to develop physical symptoms or fears associated with personal or school problems.
The reason why these terms are often used interchangeably is because it is certainly possible for a student to struggle with an emotional/behavioral disorder that does not meet the definition and criteria of ED as laid out in the special education law.
In fact, it is estimated that as high as 16% of the student population may have an EBD of some kind, and that 3-5% of all students have a diagnosable psychiatric disorder. Out of a class of 30 students, this translates into anywhere from 1-5 students having a psychiatric disorder. Up to 20% of these students show symptoms of disorders, yet only 1% of these students are referred for special education services. Only around 12% of schools and districts conduct universal screening for EBDs.
Students identified with EBD experience intense, chronic behavior and/or emotional challenges that last longer than six months. They are considered to have a mental health disability, and diagnosis is typically made by a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist. They are at-risk in every social and academic facet. Indeed, many EBD students miss out on instruction due to trips to the office, suspensions, and expulsions. Many have Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs) in place that are designed to provide customized strategies and tools for helping them behave appropriately.
Keys to success for these students include strong, healthy relationships with school staff, as well as early identification, intervention, and various academic and behavioral supports. Staff should avoid power struggles with these students.
Further Reading and Additional Resources
Emotional Disturbance - Center for Parent Information & Resources
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) - U.S. Department of Education
Emotional and Behavioral Disorders in the Classroom - EducationCorner.com
Monday, March 23, 2020
Dyslexia
It's said that 15-20% of the population has dyslexia. That equates to roughly four students out of a class of 20. Of those who have dyslexia, 20% drop out of high school. Only 10% of those with it are often referred to as "highly successful," while the remaining 90% often go unseen.
Common myths and misperceptions about dyslexia, in no particular order:
Potential signs a student has dyslexia:
Indicators very inconsistent
The indicators that a student has dyslexia are very inconsistent. What one student shows for symptoms, another student will not. And those who have dyslexia can have different days or even different moments - one day or moment is great, while the next one is a complete struggle. It's this inconsistency and lack of predictability that leads to, unfortunately, the misperception held by teachers and others that a student is merely lazy or unmotivated.
Students with dyslexia are visual thinkers, possess strong imaginations
While we know that indicators are very inconsistent for those that have dyslexia, we also know that dyslexics are strong visual thinkers/learners. They tend to be what is referred to as visual-spatial, or, in other words, non-verbal, in their learning styles. As such, they can have rather strong, creative imaginations. School systems are traditionally excellent when it comes to accommodating verbal learners, but not so much visual-spatial learners.
As visual-spatial, or, non-verbal, learners, the thinking process for those with dyslexia is much faster than for those thinking with words. This explains the apparent struggling with, or stumbling over, words, and being out of sequence. Furthermore, it helps explain why those with dyslexia struggle with simple words like the, from, was, and - there's no point of visual reference with these words. Nothing comes to mind when trying to picture these words.
Three main solutions/strategies to dealing with dyslexia in the school setting through special education services:
Remediation - reteaching in a different way, in a different setting, or at a different time
Accommodation - changes made to the environment, or to teaching and learning variables
Modification - changes made to curriculum
What Is Dyslexia? - WebMD.com
Orton-Gillingham Approach (a.k.a. "structured literacy) to reading instruction
Davis Theory - Davis Dyslexia Association International
International Dyslexia Association
Common myths and misperceptions about dyslexia, in no particular order:
- Reversing letters is the symptom by which dyslexia is diagnosed
- If a student can read, s/he doesn't have dyslexia
- It's the result of a deficiency in IQ
- Students who don't write or read well are lazy and/or simply not motivated to want to learn
- Phonics instruction is the key to helping children with dyslexia
- Dyslexia doesn't really exist - it's just an excuse
- Affects only, or mainly, boys. The truth: About equal between boys and girls. As with ADHD, more boys tend to get referred for dyslexia screening because they tend to act out more in class. Girls are usually quieter, so they're, sadly, flying under the radar.
- It will be outgrown
- Cannot be diagnosed until the age of eight
Potential signs a student has dyslexia:
- Often spells poorly
- Often reads larger words without difficulty, but makes errors with words like the, from, was, and
- Very bright, but doesn't do well in school
- Has a feeling of being "dumb," or has low self-esteem
- Gets easily frustrated and/or emotional about activities like reading, school, or taking tests
- Not wanting to read aloud
- Writes or reads with omissions, additions, repetitions, and substitutions
- Good at math laid out in straight arithmetic format, but not with math word problems
- Overall challenges with reading fluency, word recognition, writing, spelling, and potentially spoken language
- Often misreads word endings, or leaves them off when writing
Indicators very inconsistent
The indicators that a student has dyslexia are very inconsistent. What one student shows for symptoms, another student will not. And those who have dyslexia can have different days or even different moments - one day or moment is great, while the next one is a complete struggle. It's this inconsistency and lack of predictability that leads to, unfortunately, the misperception held by teachers and others that a student is merely lazy or unmotivated.
Students with dyslexia are visual thinkers, possess strong imaginations
While we know that indicators are very inconsistent for those that have dyslexia, we also know that dyslexics are strong visual thinkers/learners. They tend to be what is referred to as visual-spatial, or, in other words, non-verbal, in their learning styles. As such, they can have rather strong, creative imaginations. School systems are traditionally excellent when it comes to accommodating verbal learners, but not so much visual-spatial learners.
As visual-spatial, or, non-verbal, learners, the thinking process for those with dyslexia is much faster than for those thinking with words. This explains the apparent struggling with, or stumbling over, words, and being out of sequence. Furthermore, it helps explain why those with dyslexia struggle with simple words like the, from, was, and - there's no point of visual reference with these words. Nothing comes to mind when trying to picture these words.
Three main solutions/strategies to dealing with dyslexia in the school setting through special education services:
Remediation - reteaching in a different way, in a different setting, or at a different time
Accommodation - changes made to the environment, or to teaching and learning variables
Modification - changes made to curriculum
Further Reading and Additional Resources
What Is Dyslexia? - WebMD.com
Orton-Gillingham Approach (a.k.a. "structured literacy) to reading instruction
Davis Theory - Davis Dyslexia Association International
International Dyslexia Association
Sunday, March 22, 2020
ADHD
Symptoms, causes, and diagnosis of ADHD
Symptoms of ADHD - Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder - cause impairment in functioning. Those with the disorder experience, among other challenges, difficulty with: regulating emotions, organizing and planning, working memory, time management, staying on task, inhibition, and the ability to sense and appreciate the needs and situations of others.
The causes of ADHD are still unknown, but what we do know is that it can run in families. Prenatal factors, such as the mother's stress levels, nutrition, and exposure to toxins, may be potential causes. There is no evidence that parenting practices or teacher practices cause the disorder, but they can certainly impact impairment for either better or worse.
Symptoms of ADHD - Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder - cause impairment in functioning. Those with the disorder experience, among other challenges, difficulty with: regulating emotions, organizing and planning, working memory, time management, staying on task, inhibition, and the ability to sense and appreciate the needs and situations of others.
The causes of ADHD are still unknown, but what we do know is that it can run in families. Prenatal factors, such as the mother's stress levels, nutrition, and exposure to toxins, may be potential causes. There is no evidence that parenting practices or teacher practices cause the disorder, but they can certainly impact impairment for either better or worse.
Currently, there are no medical / laboratory tests available that can diagnose ADHD. It is usually diagnosed by a licensed psychologist after meeting specific criteria.
Criteria for diagnosis
As previously stated, ADHD is usually diagnosed by a licensed psychologist. The required criteria for diagnosis are a minimum six months of displaying symptoms, along with a minimum of two different settings where those symptoms are being displayed (like home and school, for example).
Approximately 11% of school-aged children have ADHD. It is said to be the most common neurodevelopmental disorder affecting children. Indeed, it accounts for 1/3 to 1/2 of all referrals to psychologists. Many children who have ADHD experience strong emotional reactions to any sort of provocation.
Additionally, many with ADHD have other disorders, as well. These may include, in no particular order:
ADHD's relationship to other disorders and how it affects children
Approximately 11% of school-aged children have ADHD. It is said to be the most common neurodevelopmental disorder affecting children. Indeed, it accounts for 1/3 to 1/2 of all referrals to psychologists. Many children who have ADHD experience strong emotional reactions to any sort of provocation.
Additionally, many with ADHD have other disorders, as well. These may include, in no particular order:
- anxiety disorders
- conduct disorder (CD)
- specific learning disorders
- oppositional defiant disorder (ODD)
- language disorders
- Depression and/or other mood disorders
- Tourette syndrome (TS)
Different for boys and girls
It is thought that, sadly, girls tend to be underdiagnosed because
they usually do not display the overt hyperactivity component as much. Whereas boys tend to show the hyperactive/behavioral piece, making their symptoms easier to spot, girls are struggling quietly with the inattentive/inability to focus part.
How ADHD relates to special education
Regardless if a student is taking medication, interventions in the school environment are, more often than not, needed.
Since 1991, ADHD is classified as Other Health Impaired (OHI), which allows children to qualify for special education services. Before 1991, a diagnosis of ADHD, alone, did not suffice for special education services. Some 60% of students who are receiving special education services in the categories of either Other Health Impaired (OHI) or Emotional Disturbance (ED) meet the criteria for ADHD.
The two most relevant laws benefiting children with ADHD are the 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) of 2004.
Continues into adulthood
There's a misconception out there that children with ADHD will simply "outgrow" the disorder in adulthood. The simple truth is that ADHD carries into adulthood. It is a chronic condition through life, and that's why early diagnosis, intervention, and good management of symptoms are vital for success. We are finding that adults with ADHD tend to have higher rates of car accidents, difficulties with relationships of all kinds, employment challenges, substance abuse, unstable
friendships and romantic relationships, and higher rates of divorce.
Why ADHD in Girls Is Often Overlooked - AdditudeMag.com
Further Reading and Additional Resources
Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) - CDC.gov
ADHD Health Center - WebMD.com
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