Welcome to NICHCY's blog page! Here we'll feature information and perspectives related to serving students with disabilities in schools. We hope to represent a variety of viewpoints and helpful resources. If you are interested in writing for our blog, please contact us at nichcy@fhi360.org.

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Enter the Gateway to National Organizations

Would it surprise you to know that your friends at the National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities (NICHCY) are actually a very small group of passionate people serving a very large nation of hard-working early interventionists, educators, and families? We've learned over the years how to stretch limited resources to serve many thousands of requesters and information seekers. One of our favorite strategies is to offer as much information … [Read more...]

FAQ: One-on-one assistants and LRE for students with disabilities

Cross-posted with permission from our friends at Exceptional Children’s Assistance Center (ECAC). ECAC is a Regional Parent Technical Assistance Center and the Parent Training and Information Center in North Carolina serving families of children with disabilities, their teachers, and other professionals. Visit ECAC’s website at http://www.ecac-parentcenter.org/Default.aspx to access free publications, training opportunities, and other resources, … [Read more...]

Teachers on the Team

by Lisa Küpper National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities (NICHCY)  So you made the team—the IEP team, that is, of a student with a disability. That’s a very good thing, because as a general or special educator you bring critical experience and educational know-how to the discussions that go on at IEP team meetings. This blog takes a closer look at what your role on the team involves and why it’s so important that you’re … [Read more...]

The Importance of Including Your Child in the IEP Meeting

by Dennise Goldberg Cross-posted from Special Education Advisor We as parents spend a lot of time advocating for our children when they are young. However, there comes a time when our children become older and they have to learn how to advocate for themselves; knowing when the time is right will depend on your child. If your child is still attending elementary school, they are most likely NOT mature enough to participate. For those of you who … [Read more...]

Jerry: Paraprofessional, Part Three

This three-part series on Paraprofessionals is adapted with permission from the Council on Exceptional Children’s (CEC’s) Reality 101 series. Jerry is a special educator teaching in a self-contained classroom for K-5 students. Find his ongoing blog series at http://www.cecreality101.org/blogger-jerry/ ********************************************************************************************************************** I know a paraprofessional … [Read more...]

Accommodations and modifications: Wait, they’re not the same?

by Kori Hamilton and Elizabeth Kessler, professional special educator and NICHCY advisor Being able to provide ample opportunities for success to all students requires a clear understanding of the needs of each individual student. Every student has a unique learning style, and some students require more help than others. Students who receive special education services have a plan in place to identify the type of support(s) that’s needed. One … [Read more...]

Jerry: Paraprofessionals, Part Two

This three-part series on Paraprofessionals is adapted with permission from the Council on Exceptional Children’s (CEC’s) Reality 101 series. Jerry is a special educator teaching in a self-contained classroom for K-5 students. Find his ongoing blog series at http://www.cecreality101.org/blogger-jerry/ ********************************************************************************************************** The services provided by paraprofessionals … [Read more...]

Social Skills Can Help Some “Problem Behaviors”

Cross-posted with permission from our friends at Exceptional Children’s Assistance Center (ECAC). ECAC is a Regional Parent Technical Assistance Center in North Carolina serving families of children with disabilities, their teachers, and other professionals. Visit ECAC’s website at http://www.ecac-parentcenter.org/Default.aspx to access free publications, training opportunities, and other resources, and be sure to check out their Ask ECAC blog … [Read more...]

Jerry: Paraprofessionals, Part One

This three-part series on Paraprofessionals is adapted with permission from the Council for Exceptional Children’s (CEC’s) Reality 101 series. Jerry is a special educator teaching in a self-contained classroom for K-5 students. Find his ongoing blog series at http://www.cecreality101.org/blogger-jerry/********************************************************************************************************Many paraprofessionals who assist with instructional … [Read more...]

Connecting to Evidence-Based Teaching Practices

by Kyrie Dragoo National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities You know what’s hot these days? Data. You may have heard about New York Times blogger Nate Silver’s remarkable 50-for-50 correct predictions of the presidential election this year. Possibly, you’ve been following the monthly “jobs report” on unemployment in the U.S. and seeing the data graphs that accompany it. Or perhaps you’ve just been working in schools … [Read more...]