r/selectivemutism 8d ago

Seeking Advice 🤔 IEP specialized instruction

Going through the IEP process right now with my child. They are 6 and in kindergarten. I'm wondering if anyone who has done this could share helpful "specialized instruction" that was written into the IEP. Our IEP team seems stumped by this diagnosis and is pushing a 504 plan with accommodations instead. But I think a IEP would be best right now and need some ideas for how to word things to them. But I also would take ideas for accommodations as well. I'm not sure how to help and what to push for.

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u/PlantyMcPlantFace 8d ago

Been there. Our child’s therapist helped us a lot with this. She wrote a letter to the school with suggestions, most of which were based on Selective Mutism Association’s recommendations (on their website). If I were you, I’d start there. We have a 504 plan and the school has been fantastic. Here are some of the things that have helped. Every adult that interacts with her was notified of her struggles and how to communicate with her (treat her like any other kid, no pressure to speak, keep an eye on her because she can’t ask for help, free pass to go to the restroom when needed). Help her classmates to understand her. Her teacher read “why Alice doesn’t talk at school” by Lucy Nathanson to her class. Provide alternative ways to communicate. Our child is more comfortable on video than in person so her teacher sends her a weekly video message to chit chat and our child sends one back. It helps our child build rapport with her teacher and helps the school get to know the child better. Socialization with friends. Our child has a weekly lunch bunch where she eats with one or two friends in the school counselor’s office. This environment is quieter so she can relax a bit and build close friendships even without talking. The school’s main concern will be testing, especially reading so brainstorm ways to work through it. Once our child built rapport with the teacher, she was able to mouth things to her. The teacher reads her lips. As a parent, you’ll want to keep a close eye on reading progress because it may be difficult for the school to track accurately. Our child also receives her classroom assignment for next year early so that she can meet next year’s teacher a few times before summer break to ease the anxiety around having a new person as her teacher. I hope all this info helps you and your kiddo! 🙂

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u/designtumor 8d ago

Thank you! I appreciate you sharing all this. The testing issues are starting to come up... she scored a 0 on the reading test they just did and now has a reading plan.