Special Education Resources

I heard Education Secretary Linda McMahon speak today, and I left with even more worry for Disabled students, Half a century ago, Disabled students were either shut out of education or segregated entirely. The passage of IDEA was a promise that all students would receive a free and appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment, That promise is now in question. McMahon touched on the idea of moving special education oversight to the Department of Health and Human Services, Turning this into a health policy issue risks stripping away educational rights and reducing services to grant management rather than legal enforcement, This change would isolate special education from broader educational policy and diminish federal oversight at a time when compliance has never been perfect, Even before these proposed changes, not a single state had been deemed fully compliant with federal special education law, Staff cuts, legal confusion, and ongoing layoffs have already weakened the Department’s ability to investigate disability-based discrimination or guide states on how to better serve students. If this transition happens, that loss will only deepen, History has shown us what happens when states are left to their own devices... Disabled students pay the price. Image description: A women in the audience with a sign that says, "she has no IDEA". #DisabilityRights

💭 Many of us grew up without the language to describe our feelings. Imagine the difference if every child had the tools to recognise and communicate their emotions from the start. For many children and young people with SEND, finding the words to describe their inner world can be especially challenging. Instead of a rich vocabulary of emotions, they might only know “happy,” “sad,” or “angry.” I have had emotional literacy training and found it hugely beneficial, both personally and professionally. It showed me that emotional literacy is a skill we can learn, practice and nurture over time. Building emotional literacy helps learners to: ✔ Understand and communicate their needs more clearly ✔ Reduce overwhelm and regulate big feelings ✔ Develop stronger connections with peers and adults ✔ Grow confidence and self-belief 🌀 Tools like the Feelings Wheel provide a visual language that can be adapted to different learners. For some, this might mean using words. For others, it might mean pointing, choosing symbols, or showing emotions through AAC or other preferred communication. For educators and support staff, the goal is not to change or fix feelings. It is to help young people recognise, express and move through them in whatever way is meaningful to them. Next time a learner says they feel “bad” or “fine,” or shows this through behaviour or gesture, try exploring together: 👉 “Can we find a more specific word, picture, or symbol for what you are feeling?” Every child deserves a way to tell their story and the chance to be understood. ❓ I’d love to hear how you support emotional literacy in your setting. Please share your thoughts in the comments. ♻️ If you think this could help another educator, please consider sharing it so more young people have the chance to build this vital skill. #SEND #EmotionalLiteracy #Inclusion #Education #Wellbeing

Here's a cheat sheet to support special education students, ideal for teachers, therapists, and caregivers. It includes strategies, accommodations, and communication tips—simple and practical! 📘 Cheat Sheet: Supporting Special Education Students For teachers, therapists, and support staff 🧠 Understand the Student ✔️ Read the IEP (Individualized Education Plan) ✔️ Know their strengths and needs ✔️ Learn their triggers and calming strategies ✔️ Build rapport and trust 🤝 🛠️ Classroom Strategies 🔤 Instructional Supports ✅ Use visuals (charts, symbols, schedules) ✅ Break tasks into small steps ✅ Repeat & rephrase instructions ✅ Use multi-sensory teaching (see 👀, hear 👂, touch ✋) 📚 Academic Supports ✅ Extra time for assignments ✅ Modified workload ✅ Use assistive tech (text-to-speech, audiobooks) 🧘 Behavioral & Emotional Support ✅ Use calm tone & clear expectations ✅ Offer choices to reduce power struggles ✅ Use positive reinforcement 🎉 ✅ Provide break options (sensory corner, quiet time) 🗣️ Communication Tips ✔️ Use clear, simple language ✔️ Allow processing time ✔️ Use visuals or gestures 🖼️ ✔️ Confirm understanding ("Can you show me what to do?") 🧩 Collaboration 👨👩👦 Work closely with families 📅 Hold regular meetings with the IEP team 🤝 Collaborate with therapists (OT, speech, PT, etc.) ❤️ Build an Inclusive Environment 🌍 Celebrate differences 🫂 Encourage peer support & empathy 📣 Promote strengths and talents 🔁 Daily Routine Ideas ⏰ Visual schedule 📦 Morning check-ins 📕 Preview of changes ⭐ End-of-day review Would you like this turned into a printable Ms word, a visual graphic, or adapted for a specific age group (e.g., preschool, high school)? #specialkids#occupationaltherapy#specialeducation#speechtherapist#abatherapist#socialpost

In recent years, the potential of video games to support children with autism has gained significant attention. This article delves into various studies and expert opinions to explore how video games can be a beneficial tool in the development and learning processes of children with autism. Children with autism are often drawn to video games' visual nature and structured environment, enhancing language, communication, cognitive flexibility, and social skills. Video games serve as an effective medium for developing various skills in children with autism, from motor functions to cognitive training and emotion recognition. The integration of video games into therapeutic plans has been positively received, suggesting their potential as a regular part of autism therapy. Innovative approaches and case studies demonstrate practical applications, including modifying popular games to target specific emotional competencies and using games like "Dungeons and Dragons" to facilitate structured social interactions. In conclusion, video games represent a promising and versatile tool for assisting children with autism in their development, combining enjoyment with educational and therapeutic benefits. For more on this topic, please read my most recent article 👇 #gamesindustry #autism #childdevelopment #videogames #gamificationoflearning

In my years in HR, I've witnessed countless faces etched with fear, exhaustion, and despair. I remember vividly the 3 AM email from 𝗡𝗶𝗻𝗮, a brilliant manager and new mother: "I've thought long and hard about this, and I've come to the conclusion that I can't do this anymore." Her words spoke volumes about the overwhelming pressure of balancing motherhood and career. 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝘄𝗻, a new leader and charismatic personality. His voice cracked during an urgent call: "I don't know how much longer I can do this. I can't get the system to work, and I'm failing my team." His confession revealed a deep-seated loneliness that many high-achievers silently endure. My talented colleague, 𝗔𝗺𝗮𝗻. His anxiety turned to insecurity, making every interaction a minefield. His misinterpretation of innocent comments pushed away even his closest allies, and corroded his strongest relationships. These stories aren't just anecdotes from my professional life. I, too, have felt the ground shift beneath my feet as I transitioned from a carefree individual to a caregiver, grappling with a sense of overwhelm and helplessness I never thought possible. What I've learned is this: 𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗿. They touch our brightest minds, our most dedicated workers, and yes, even those of us who think we have it all figured out. In the modern workplace, there's no room for the outdated notions of "toughing it out" or maintaining a facade of invincibility. As leaders, we must cultivate environments where vulnerability is seen as courage, where seeking help is a sign of strength. As individuals, we need to intentionally build support systems, creating safe spaces for ourselves and others. In this journey, 𝗔𝗜 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝗵𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆. Tools I have found helpful  1. Waking Up & Headspace have sections dedicated to mental health issues  2. Wysa is a great 24x7 mental health companion  3. Happypillar supports new parents to be more confident, less overwhelmed caregivers These apps are a lifeline, a first step when the weight feels too heavy to bear alone. Yet, 𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗱𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆, 𝘄𝗲 𝗺𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗵𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗵𝘆. A simple, genuine "How are you 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 doing?" can open doors to healing conversations. To every soul struggling in silence - remember, you are not alone. We're all in this together, navigating the complexities of being human in an increasingly demanding world. 𝗟𝗲𝘁'𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗮 𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 - 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝘃𝗲𝘀, 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘁'𝘀 𝗼𝗸𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗯𝗲 𝗼𝗸𝗮𝘆. Because it's in acknowledging our shared vulnerability that we find our greatest strength. #MentalHealthAwareness #MentalHealthMatters #ItsOkayToNotBeOkay

It shouldn’t take a Supreme Court case to get schools to follow special education law. And when you get a 9-0 ruling, that means a whole lot of people had to have screwed up in the five to seven year average time it takes to get a case to the Supreme Court. Parents who challenge school districts under IDEA, the ADA, or Section 504 face huge barriers. Expert evaluations are expensive, and families rarely get reimbursed. The legal process is long, emotionally draining, and stacked against them. All of this while parenting under the drama of watching your child fall further and further behind in an indifferent education system. In A.J.T. v. Osseo Area Schools, the district provided fewer hours of education to a student with severe epilepsy, ignoring her disability-related needs. Lower courts said her parents had to prove bad faith or gross misjudgment, which is an almost impossible standard to meet. The Supreme Court just reversed that. Unanimously. Now, parents only need to show "deliberate indifference," something that most parents of disabled kids can tell you they see regularly. This level of proof is far more consistent with other disability cases. This is a win. But the system is still broken if families need SCOTUS just to access the education their kids are already legally entitled to. And don't even get me started on how this is all going to get chucked into a great big bonfire if Trump is successful in dismantling the Department of Education and shifting special education to Health and Human Services. Read more about this case here: https://lnkd.in/gU48DxqB #AccessibilityTriumphThursday #SpecialEdReform #DisabilityRights #SupremeCourtRuling #Disability #InclusiveEducation #IDEAAdvocacy #Inclusion #Accessibility #IDEA

The L&D community is still treating Accessibility as an afterthought, and it's hurting our learners. Too many learning designers are checking accessibility boxes without genuinely understanding or prioritizing their audience's diverse needs. Here's why this is a problem: 1. "Compliance Over Care" Mentality: Too often, Accessibility is approached as a compliance issue rather than a genuine commitment to inclusive learning. This mindset leads to bare minimum efforts that don't serve our learners. 2. Lack of Proper Training: Many learning designers haven't received adequate training in Accessibility best practices, which causes them to design courses that unintentionally exclude or frustrate learners with disabilities. 3. Accessibility Added as an Afterthought: Waiting until the end of a project to consider Accessibility means it's often rushed and poorly implemented, leading to subpar learning experiences. 4. Ignoring Diverse Learning Needs: The one-size-fits-all approach is too common. Every learner is different, yet many courses don't account for this, especially regarding cognitive or sensory differences. 5. Limited Tool Familiarity: Many designers aren't familiar with the tools that can make their content more accessible. This lack of awareness limits the quality and effectiveness of the learning materials. How do we fix this? 1. Shift the Mindset: Accessibility should be a core component of learning design, not just a checkbox. It's about creating a better experience for everyone. 2. Invest in Training: Organizations must prioritize training their L&D teams on Accessibility. It's not just about knowing the rules; it's about understanding the why behind them. 3. Design from the Start: Make Accessibility a foundational part of your design process, not something you tack on at the end. Use the Right Tools: Familiarize yourself with and use tools that enhance Accessibility. Don't just rely on what you know—explore new resources that can help. 4. Get Feedback: Actively seek feedback from learners with disabilities and incorporate their insights into your design process. What is your organization doing to make its e-learning content more accessible? Let me know in the comments below!

𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗚𝗼 𝗤𝘂𝗶𝗲𝘁: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗻 𝗘𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿 As therapists, we don’t always catch the signs when a client starts sinking deeper into an eating disorder. When their voice fades, it’s not just silence,it’s a red flag. Unless you’re trained in eating disorders, you may not realise this: ➔ If a client isn’t eating properly, they’re not regulating emotionally. ➔ If they don’t value themselves, they won’t value their voice. Here’s the uncomfortable truth: Some clients might choose a therapist who isn’t trained in eating disorders to mask their struggles. And without proper understanding, we risk colluding with the illness, unintentionally keeping them stuck. Why does this happen? ➔ Eating disorders thrive in secrecy. ➔ The stigma around eating disorders remains massive, even in therapy. ➔ Many clients feel safer staying silent than facing the underlying issues. What’s the cost of this silence? ➔ Burnout for the client, as the eating disorder keeps them stuck. ➔ Missed opportunities to address the real issues, keeping them silent. ➔ A delay in finding purpose, rebuilding their lives, and regaining their voice. So, how can we, as therapists, do better? ➔ Spot the early signs: When a client goes quiet, explore what’s beneath the silence. ➔ Address the stigma: Talk openly about eating disorders and challenge the shame surrounding them. ➔ Seek early intervention: The earlier we address the eating disorder, the more effective the work becomes. ➔ Listen for “hot words”: Those subtle phrases or emotions that reveal what’s going on. Let’s stop leaving eating disorders until they reach crisis point. Early intervention can make all the difference in helping clients reclaim their voices and rebuild their lives. What do you think holds us back from addressing eating disorders earlier in therapy? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Let’s start the conversation. #EatingDisorders #TherapyMatters #MentalHealthAwareness #EarlyIntervention

Mental Health First Aid 101: What You Need to Know Have you ever noticed a colleague at work go from outspoken to increasingly withdrawn, missing deadlines, and avoiding conversations? You notice, but you’re unsure how to help. Or has a friend shared that they’re feeling hopeless, and you struggle to find the right words. Situations like these are more common than we think. The Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is a framework designed to empower anyone to provide initial support to someone experiencing a mental health challenge or crisis. Here are some actionable steps from Mental Health First Aid that can help you make a real difference in such situations: 📌Recognize the signs: Be alert to changes in behavior, mood, or appearance. Common signs include withdrawal, persistent sadness, difficulty concentrating, irritability, or excessive worry. 📌 Approach and listen: If you notice someone struggling, approach them in a private and non-judgmental way. Use open-ended questions like, “I’ve noticed you seem different lately. Would you like to talk about it?” 📌 Offer support without judgment: Listening is powerful. Avoid interrupting or offering unsolicited advice. Instead, acknowledge their feelings with statements like, “That sounds really difficult. I’m here for you.” 📌 Encourage professional help: Mental health first aid doesn't mean solving the problem but guiding the person to appropriate resources. This could mean suggesting they speak with a counselor, a trusted doctor, or calling a crisis hotline. 📌 Provide resources and follow Up: Share helpful resources, like local mental health services or online platforms. Check back with the person after your initial conversation to show ongoing support. Mental health challenges are becoming increasingly common, equipping ourselves with these skills is essential. MHFA training is a great way to learn and practice these techniques. What would your workplace or community look like if everyone had the tools to respond to mental health challenges with confidence and compassion?

Scaffolding techniques are vital for supporting students with learning disabilities, as they provide structured, personalized pathways to understanding while honoring each learner’s unique needs. For students with dyslexia, tools like phonemic awareness activities, color-coded texts, and audio books can reinforce decoding and comprehension, allowing them to engage with content without being hindered by reading challenges. Those with dyscalculia benefit from hands-on manipulatives, visual models, and real-life math applications that make abstract concepts more concrete and accessible. Students with dysgraphia thrive when given graphic organizers, typing options, and chunked writing tasks that reduce cognitive overload and promote expression. For learners with ADHD, scaffolding might include clear routines, visual schedules, movement breaks, and task segmentation to maintain focus and reduce impulsivity. Meanwhile, students with auditory processing disorders need multimodal instruction such as written directions, visual supports, and opportunities for repetition to fully grasp spoken information. These scaffolds not only enhance student confidence and independence but also help teachers create inclusive environments where every learner can flourish. #AccessibleEducation