APRIL 2021 • LONGISLANDPRESS.COM 39
An individualized education plan (IEP) may be the answer for some studentswith special needs. (Getty Images)
CHILD MISSING MILESTONES?
BY EMILY LEVY
Have you noticed your child struggling in school? Perhaps they are having a hard
time learning to read, can’t grasp multistep math problems, or are having difficulty
staying focused in class.
Their self-esteem is plummeting as schoolwork becomes increasingly challenging,
and their struggles seem insurmountable. Your child may have special needs and, if
so, the sooner you can identify these needs and address them, the better it will be
for their overall confidence and academic performance. So what can you do?
For starters, if you see your child struggling, talk to their doctor and teacher. Discuss
milestones they may or may not have met and determine if their teacher notices
the same challenges you see at home. If you feel these struggles are getting worse
or think they may benefit from additional accommodations at school, you might
consider having them tested. This testing can be done for free either through your
state’s early intervention program (if your child is under age 3) or through your
child’s school district. The evaluation and specific tests administered may differ, but
evaluators will typically test your child’s IQ and will likely also test language, motor,
behavior, and achievement skills.
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PARENTING ACTS OF
PRESS
KINDNESS CAMP GUIDE FAMILY & EDUCATION
WHEN THE NEXT STEP IS AN IEP
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