by Common Ground | Apr 15, 2016 | Parents, Professionals, Teachers
Schools are required to accommodate frequent absences when caused by a disability or chronic illness. For such students, a “health plan” should be developed as part of an IEP or a 504 Plan. Often, services and supports can be delivered in an alternative setting, such...
by Common Ground | Oct 6, 2015 | Professionals, Teachers
Children are very resilient — but they are not unbreakable. No matter their age, children are deeply hurt when they are physically, sexually, or emotionally abused. When children see and hear violence, their world feels unsafe and insecure. Exposure to violence can...
by Common Ground | May 14, 2015 | Professionals, Teachers
Developing more positive school environments — and minimizing exclusionary discipline practices — requires a shift in the emphasis of older discipline policies, away from zero-tolerance to practices that facilitate positive problem-solving mechanisms, actively...
by Common Ground | Nov 4, 2013 | Teachers
By Glenn Martins A “one size fits all” approach to planning will not work when considering the needs of students with disabilities.It’s not merely a question of if your school could be affected by a disaster; it’s quite possibly a matter of...
by Common Ground | Jun 25, 2013 | Teachers
Strategy instruction gives students the tools and techniques they need in order to understand and learn new material or skills.If you’ve ever played chess, chances are you used a fairly unsophisticated approach when first making your way around the board. It’s also...
by Common Ground | Nov 13, 2012 | Teachers
by Fred Gruber One of the main goals of our nation’s system of public education is to give all students the tools they need to succeed in adult life, and this is especially so for students with disabilities. For more than 35 years, The Individuals with Disabilities...
by Common Ground | Sep 24, 2012 | Teachers
1. When Entering the Room and Starting Class… If seats are not assigned, allow your student to choose where to sit. Do not pick a seat for him/her. Do not take out your student’s materials (pen, homework, etc.) or open his books for him/her (unless he has...
by Common Ground | Sep 21, 2012 | Parents, Professionals, Q&A, Teachers
An assistive technology (AT) device is used to maintain or improve the functional capabilities of a student with a disability. An assistive technology service assists in the selection, acquisition, or use of an AT device, and incorporates evaluations, modifications,...
by Common Ground | Apr 16, 2012 | Parents, Professionals, Q&A, Teachers
“Children with apraxia often have family members who have a history of communication disorders or learning disabilities. This observation and recent research findings suggest that genetic factors may play a role in the disorder.” Apraxia of speech (called...
by Common Ground | Apr 5, 2012 | Features, Parents, Professionals, Teachers
By: Dr. Meir Flancbaum As a teacher, you can serve as the child’s “coach,” when he implements strategies in the classroom. Sam is a bright, considerate, athletic middle school student, but he dreads going to school. Throughout his day, unintended movement and noises...
by Common Ground | Sep 12, 2011 | Features, Parents, Professionals, Teachers
An Interview with an Expert on Bullying Provides a Thought-provoking Perspective “Bullying by teachersis enabled by a conspiracy of silence.” – Dr. Alan McEvoyBy Jean Harkness Many parents would advise a child that the only way to deal with bullies is to stand...
by Common Ground | Sep 12, 2011 | Teachers
By Tracy Landon and Linda Oggel Students sometimes described as lazy, unmotivated, distracted, disorganized, and chronically late may in fact be struggling with a condition know as executive dysfunction. This problem, in the frontal lobes of the brain, is one of the...
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