Tag: Progress

New Year’s Resolutions?

Many people look forward to the new year for a new start on old habits.  ~Author Unknown

 

Each year people make New Year’s Resolutions. Well, I learned a long time ago that I wouldn’t keep them. However, I did learn that setting goals each year works for me. I don’t know why the change in language works, but it does. Sometimes the goals are abstract, sometimes they are concrete, but they are mine and I own them.

During this time of year, I also like to help students and their families work on their goals. That’s why this month is Program Review and Assessment Month. It is during this time of year that we take a look at what each of our student has accomplishing and set new short-term goals as well as adjust the long-term ones.

I also like to take time at this point in the year to celebrate the BDS Behavioral Technicians. They are so important to helping each of our students succeed. They spend so much time working to help support out students. So to help kick their year off right, we also call this Rising Star Month.

During Rising Star Month, we ask that you all write in and tell us why you love your Technicians. You don’t have to limit it to praise, we welcome all feedback that you can provide. The best way to help our star Technicians increase their skills is to tell us what they are doing right and wrong so that we can provide more guidance or resources where necessary. Send your feedback to [email protected].

Thank you so much for continuing to read our blog, following us on Twitter, liking us on Facebook, and checking out our website. If you are in need of assistance, services, or just have a question for us, feel free to use our Contact Us form, email us at [email protected] or give us a call at 240-355-0834.

Have a safe, happy, and prosperous year,

Barbara Erby

President

Breakthrough Developmental Services, LLC

www.BDSHelps.com

IEP Planning Month

I, for one, am glad that March is finally here. Yes, I’m glad to say goodbye to winter this month and hello to spring. I’ve been
enjoying that a bit more daylight that we’ve been having each and every day. Plus, I can see the temperatures starting to rise.

 

With the warming of spring brings along with it other things, such as updates to your child’s Individualized Education Program/Plans (IEP). So, this month at BDS, we are celebrating Music In Our Schools Month and IEP Planning Month. I published a short article in Monday’s BDS Journal about music and teams. In today’s blog posting, I wanted to focus on IEPs.

 

The purpose of the IEP is to tailor your child’s learning program to meet their unique needs. It list out services and supports that your child will be provided by the local school district as well as specific goals and objects that your school-based team will be focusing over the next year. It is at this time of year, that I like to sit down with my families and review that progress that their child has made over the past year. Based on the information that has been provided in the progress reports, we are better able to bridge the gap between the home and school environments.

 

You know although the IEP process can be daunting, at times, I have to say that I have been really blessed over my career to work with many schools and teachers that try to make the IEP process go smoothly. They accept what I have to say about a child’s home progress and we are able to work together with the future independence of the child in mind.

 

Let’s start this week with reviewing your child’s progress on their current goals.  If you are in need assistance with regard to reviewing your child’s IEP, contact Breakthrough Developmental Services, LLC.

Have a great day,

Barbara

 

Barbara Erby is an Education & Behavioral Consultant with Breakthrough Developmental Services, LLC. Barbara received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Bowie State University in 1999 and a Master of Science in Psychology with a specialization in Educational Psychology and an emphasis in Developmental Psychology from Capella University in 2004. Ms. Erby has worked with a variety of students in the school, home, and community environments as a Direct Care Worker, Family Trainer, and an Education & Behavioral Consultant.

Your Commitment

I want you to take a no excuses approach to your child’s learning and education. I want you to do this because we won’t always be here to take care of our children and it is important that they are able to function as autonomous and productive members of the society in which they reside.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that your child needs to be able to do absolutely everything for themselves. There are a number of things that you and I can’t do and so we need to help your child reach their greatest level of independence for themselves. Whatever that may be, we need to get them to that point. I have asked that each member of my staff make the following commitment to each one of our clients. However, I am asking all of our parents to do the same for their children and those others around them. This is the first step in changing your mindset towards the education of your child. 

“From this day forward, I will do my best to ensure that (child’s name) has what they need to be the most independent individual possible today, tomorrow, and for the rest of (his/her) life.”

No big, long, drawn out declarations; nothing strange and out of the ordinary. By making that one short sentence commitment, you are saying that you are going to take a “no excuses” approach to your child’s education and independence. There may be some trials, but from here we are making a conscious decision that the only place to go is up.

 

Barbara Erby, MS

Education & Behavioral Consultant

Breakthrough Developmental Services, LLC

 

Barbara Erby is an Education & Behavioral Consultant with Breakthrough Developmental Services, LLC. Barbara received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Bowie State University in 1999 and a Master of Science in Psychology with a specialization in Educational Psychology and an emphasis in Developmental Psychology from Capella University in 2004. Ms. Erby has worked with a variety of students in the school, home, and community environments as a Direct Care Worker, Family Trainer, and an Education & Behavioral Consultant.

Stop, Look, Listen: Monitor Your Child’s Progress

Parents remember to view their child’s progress at school, be it by report card or IEP. But parents often forget to review the book and progress of their child’s home and community based program. Progress at home is just as important as school. So, remember to check those books and data sheets. Make sure that you are aware of the current, future, and mastered targets. This is especially true for the mastered and current targets.

If you know what the current target is, you can teach and generalize this target in the natural environment which assists with the generalization of the skill. For example, if your child is learning about the color blue, you can point out that color throughout the day in different locations and situations. Also, if there is a target that your child has mastered a target and you, or the school, has encountered situations where your child does not appear to know the mastered target, please inform your consultant/family trainer.