How to Secure a Teacher’s Assistant for A Special Education Student
Many Special Education Students are in great need of a teacher’s assistant not only because of their specific needs but also because of the impact they have upon the everyday classroom. When we revised our son’s Individualized Education Plan for next year we tried to “fight” for a Teacher’s Assistant (TA) but they did not want to provide him with one because his IEP for next year is extensive and the classroom he will be in is much more conducive to his needs.
Harold Doherty of Facing Autism in New Brunswick has eight suggestions on how to secure a TA for your child.
Wrightslaw states that parents are often frustrated by the school districts response to a request for a TA. Rightly so, right? Most school districts will immediately deny a request for a TA suggesting that students can be successful during the day, especially in a small, self contained classroom with two aides and a teacher.
However, schools can assign TA’s for a variety of reasons; behavior management, instructional support, daily living (toileting, dressing, hygiene), social skills, task redirection, safety, etc. We requested a TA for behavior management, student safety, sensory occupational breaks, and task redirection.
When it comes down to it, most school districts will maintain the ruling that the self contained (aide enhanced classroom) is adequate and meeting the student’s needs because a TA costs them more money.
To state your case for an assistant:
1. Find a Special Education Advocate
2. Find Parents to help who already have or are in the process of getting TA’s
3. Use documentation from your team of specialists that specifically state that your child needs a TA to succeed. ie: our neuropsychologist recommended a TA so that AJ could take heavy work breaks at scheduled times without interrupting the rest of the classroom.
4. Safety is key for all students in school, not just special education students. However, this must be stressed especially if your child is a danger TO others or a danger at playgrounds, on the bus, or even is not physically capable of participating because he/she is not developmentally able.
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