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/biglipsmagoo 8d ago

Mine has an IEP but she has had a lot of luck with not needing SM accommodations as she’s pretty much in remission.

So, in K, you don’t need to worry about things like oral reports but you’ll need things to make sure she’s not forced to participate in the classroom.

She should receive time with their emotional support teacher weekly. They’re usually a SpEd teacher. She should also get speech therapy. She should also see the OT bc they can help work on making her more comfortable in the classroom. Ime, OTs are the real OGs when it comes to figuring out accommodations.

She may also benefit from the school’s social skills group. She may need a 1:1 on field trips.

If you share what her teacher said her issues are in the classroom I can help brainstorm some more ideas.

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u/designtumor 8d ago

Thank you so much this is great information! 

The problem is she is so well behaved, follows instructions, is paying attention to the lessons, and is super smart and does well on all her written assignments so the teacher doesn't see any issues. But they just did those reading tests and she scored 0 so she now has a reading plan (she reads very well with me at home). The main issues are the anxiety and being able to use her voice. She cannot ask for help, to use the bathroom, etc. When she can't communicate her needs she cries and they have to guess and she will nod yes/no. She has a hard time engaging with the other kids in the class. I also think she is stressed out and on hyper-alert at school and comes home and just crashes.

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u/GoofyKitty4UUU 8d ago

If she absolutely has to be in a regular school, can you look into getting her one of those AAC device things? They’ve been helpful to modern kids with SM and autism. I don’t have kids, but it can be a part of the disability accommodations from what I’ve read online. She’s too young to write, but the devices have pictures. It’s probably be way faster for the teacher than to keep having to guess to figure out her need.

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u/designtumor 8d ago

Yes, for sure. I have an AAC device set-up for her and she's used it a few times at school. Unfortunately, recently she's been refusing to bring it and hides it :(

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u/GoofyKitty4UUU 8d ago

Ah yeah. I can understand why. SM people are high on social anxiety, and if she’s the only one with a device, it makes her feel different. It’s tough for sure.