Thread by @SEALS_065

SEALs!! We need you to do an action item!! Please take a few minutes to email your director of special education and ask them how they're going to provide FAFE for our special education children. After you email your special education dept please let us know which school district

you emailed!! Please email them today!!!

IEP Parents- Listen up, here's the sobering truth.

We've all read the Dept of Ed guidance, and everything else out there. It all says that yes, our kids are guaranteed FAPE, even during these difficult times. The Governor of Ohio

has even gone so far as to suggest that services in the home should be considered if online and distance learning is not appropriate for your child.

But here's the cold, hard truth: The only people available to teach our kids in the coming weeks is US. Because instruction and

therapy in the home flies directly in the face of what we're supposed to do--which is STAY AWAY from each other.

You should not expect a teacher or therapist to put him/herself and their families at risk, nor should you put yours at risk by having them come to your home.

Washington state schools are closed for 6 weeks. Ohio for a month. Are we going to sit around and wait for FAPE, and hope that it is provided and complain when it is not? Or are we going to do something about it?

Many, many parents successfully homeschool their disabled

children and we're going to have to learn from them. Focus on what you can control.

We just have to do the best we can and focus on the light at the end of the tunnel. We will get through this. Our kids will likely regress, and we'll deal with that in the future. My child's

health is worth more than 4 or 5 lost speech sessions--we have to focus on the big picture.

Look at your child's IEP. What can you replicate at home? Join Facebook groups for homeschool parents, learn from them. Ask for tips. Email your child's providers and ask what you can

replicate at home.

We have to take control here. Look online, look at videos for gross motor activities you can do in your home or yard. Get Bookshare (free) or Kindle Unlimited. I have seen a zillion things in my feed lately about free activities for kids. Go support

TeachersPayTeachers and buy some printables.

There is nothing I would love more than for my son's behaviorist or teacher or OT to be able to come to the house and provide services. But that's a terrible idea. It just is.

And if online learning isn't appropriate, telephone

learning isn't appropriate, and we can't have people come to the house--we have to face the truth--WE HAVE TO DO THIS OURSELVES.

The Gov of Ohio has suggested comp ed as a solution. If you wish to pursue that, do it. Not now, but when the dust settles. Keep your data and

paper trail. But also, I would expect that schools are going to be given a tremendous amount of leeway given that these are extenuating circumstances.

We can do this. #unroll @threadreaderapp