Monthly Archives: May 2018

Yoga and Mindfulness for Addiction Recovery

May 23, 2018#bethebestyoucanbe, #justbecauseyoushouldknow, #pieedu, 21st Century Learning, Mindfulness, YogaSandy Carl

Author: Matt Gonzales | Last Updated: 5/14/18 | 13 sources

What Is Yoga?

Yoga is a set of physical, mental and spiritual disciplines intended to help improve mood and sense of well-being. The activity uses body postures, breathing modulations and meditation techniques to promote physical strength, relaxation and spirituality.

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Nanci Stockwell of Advanced Recovery Systems describes the benefits of yoga for a person’s overall health and their recovery from addiction.

This stress-management practice has shown to reduce risk factors for diseases such as high blood pressure and heart disease. It may also assuage a range of health conditions, including insomnia and chronic pain.

Some people use yoga to manage their anxiety and depression, two mental health disorders that commonly occur alongside addiction. In fact, the lessons taught through yoga and mindfulness practices target areas in the brain affected by addiction.

Research has indicated that yoga and other mindfulness techniques can be used in conjunction with traditional, evidence-based treatment to help people overcome mental illness and substance use disorders.

“Yoga offers a unique combination of physical exercises and relaxation techniques that are unlike any other conventional exercises,” Geri Topfer, founder and president of Kula for Karma, told DrugRehab.com.

Topfer’s organization brings therapeutic yoga to individuals with physical or mental health problems, from veterans with PTSD to people recovering from heroin addiction. The nonprofit organization partners with Advanced Recovery Systems to provide yoga to people receivingsubstance abuse treatment around the United States.

Popular Types of Yoga

For centuries, worshipers of Hinduism have used yoga to alleviate physical ailments, reduce psychological pain and achieve spiritual enlightenment. While yoga is based in spirituality, people in the United States frequently use the activity to exercise or reduce stress.

Various forms of yoga exist, including:

Bhakti

A spiritual form of yoga, Bhakti yoga focuses on devoting love to a higher power through mantra meditation, which involves chanting.

Hatha

The most common form of yoga in the United States, Hatha yoga involves posture exercises and meditation. These exercises aim to heal the body, mind and soul through poses and breathing techniques.

Jnana

Jnana yoga uses meditation to seek wisdom and self-realization. This type of yoga employs mental techniques such as self-questioning, conscious illumination and self-reflection.

Karma

Karma yoga strives to eliminate self-centeredness and reduce ego. Through various body movements, people learn to detach themselves from their actions.

Bikram

Bikram yoga comprises a series of 26 physically demanding postures. The goal of this activity, which takes place in a room heated to approximately 100 degrees, is to release tension and cleanse the body through sweating.

How Does Yoga Help People Overcome Addiction?

An increasing number of studies suggest that mindfulness activities, such as yoga, can help people overcome addiction when complemented by traditional treatment. Meditation’s effect on the neurotransmitter GABA in the brain may be a reason why.

“Yoga raises the levels of GABA, which has shown to reduce stress and anxiety,” said Topfer.

A 2014 study published in the journal Complementary Therapies in Medicine examined the effect of yoga alongside rehab in treating alcohol dependence. In the trial, 18 people battling alcohol dependence in Sweden received traditional treatment or traditional treatment plus yoga. The results showed that the greatest reduction in drinking occurred among the group that incorporated yoga into treatment.

Yoga may help people addicted to heroin, a drug involved in about 15,500 U.S. deaths in 2016. A study published in the journal Nursing Research indicated that yoga can significantly improve the mood and quality of life in female heroin users undergoing drug detoxification. Researchers concluded that the activity can be used alongside traditional care to treat heroin dependence.

“The twisting poses and the breathing modalities are beneficial during detoxification,” said Topfer.

She also said that individuals battling substance abuse problems may not have cerebral balance, which causes them to focus on their drug cravings. Through yoga, individuals focus on mindfulness rather than immediate physical desires.

The Medical Benefits of Yoga

Scientists are unsure how yoga improves health. But researchers believe that the activity releases endorphins, which are chemicals in the brain that reduce pain and produce feelings of pleasure.

Decreased pain
Improved balance
Lowered resting heart rate
Improved bone density
Increased immunity

Participants of yoga may also experience psychological benefits. For example, the activity can help improve self-acceptance, reduce hostility and increase self-compassion. It can also help people suffering from mental health problems.

Topfer said that many people experience myriad benefits from practicing yoga every day.

“It teaches self-control and relaxation,” she said. “When you’re on the mat, you concentrate on self-care. And that is liberating.”

Yoga and Mental Health Disorders

Yoga can also help people deal with mental health disorders, which can co-occur with addiction. For example, people suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder have a greater risk than the general population for engaging in substance use.

A 2014 study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that specialized yoga therapy may help people with PTSD reduce drug and alcohol use. The practice also promoted interest in evidence-based therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy.

Researchers measured the effect of yoga on substance use behaviors in women with symptoms of PTSD. The yoga intervention consisted of 12 Kripalu-based Hatha sessions of 75 minutes each. Researchers modified some poses and incorporated trauma-sensitive yoga techniques, which use nonthreatening language and eschew physical contact.

One month after the clinical trial, nearly 70 percent of yoga participants said their PTSD symptoms were less noticeable. Conversely, more than 90 percent of a control group who took assessments in place of yoga were more cognizant of their symptoms.

“For people suffering from mental illness, [yoga] gives them a greater sense of self-awareness and acceptance,” said Topfer. “It is an effective tool that helps to rewire the brain and avoid any type of relapsing or mental illness.”

Yoga During Recovery

People in recovery may deal with a host of emotions, including anxiety and stress. According to a 2011 study published in the journal Medical Hypotheses, stress can trigger relapse in individuals recovering from alcohol dependence. However, yoga can help ease this tension and help peopledeal with triggers.

“Research has found that yoga can help reduce cravings for people in recovery,” said Topfer.

Kula for Karma offers Kundalini yoga for people struggling with substance abuse. This type of yoga incorporates movement, dynamic breathing techniques and meditation to bring these individuals to a mindful, relaxed state.

Topfer said that her organization also implements yoga Nidra to veterans dealing with addiction and sleeping problems. This form of yoga helps people maintain a state of consciousness between waking and sleeping. Through yoga Nidra, the body falls into deep relaxation.

Yoga of 12-Step Recovery is another organization that caters to people in recovery. The Indianapolis-based organization combines yoga with 12-step practices, and it offers structured weekly meetings that aim to prevent relapse in participants.

“Research has found that yoga can help reduce cravings for people in recovery.”

— TOPFER

The program serves people recovering from various health disorders, including drug addiction. The organization creates a safe area where trauma can be released, according to its website.

Topfer said that people in recovery should incorporate yoga into their daily routine, especially early in the process. Yoga may be most effective for those in recovery when combined with regular therapy sessions, such as 12-step meetings.

“I definitely feel that [yoga] is an excellent way to start your day,” said Topfer. “It focuses on energy, overcoming daily tasks and getting back to living a drug-free life.”

AUTHOR

Matt Gonzales,

Content Writer, DrugRehab.com

Matt Gonzales is a writer and researcher for DrugRehab.com. He graduated with a degree in journalism from East Carolina University and began his professional writing career in 2011. Matt covers the latest drug trends and shares inspirational stories of people who have overcome addiction. Certified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in health literacy, Matt leverages his experience in addiction research to provide hope to those struggling with substance use disorders.

EDITOR

Kim Borwick, MA,

Editor, DrugRehab.com

FEATURED EXPERT

Geri Topfer,

Founder and President, Kula For Karma

View Sources

Education Available at California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitations

May 20, 2018#bethebestyoucanbe, #justbecauseyoushouldknow, #pieedu, 21st Century LearningSandy Carl

Office of Correctional Education (OCE)

As part of CDCR’s Division of Rehabilitative Programs, the Office of Correctional Education (OCE) offers various academic and education programs at each of California’s adult state prisons. The goal of OCE is to provide offenders with needed education and career training as part of a broader CDCR effort to increase public safety and reduce recidivism.

All adult schools in the CDCR prisons are fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) to ensure the highest level of education, and some Career Technical Education programs offer industry standard certification.

OCE PROGRAMS AVAILABLE

https://www.cdcr.ca.gov/rehabilitation/oce.html

Going Back to School for Teaching

May 15, 2018#bethebestyoucanbe, #justbecauseyoushouldknow, #pieedu, #whyamIhere, Loving childrenSandy Carl

Are you considering going back to school to be a teacher? If so, statistics show that this is a smart career choice. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts a 9 percent growth in the country’s overall education sector over the next decade, showing that the demand for teachers will remain as strong as ever. Teachers generally enjoy a stable career with good pay and benefits, as well as many opportunities to advance.

The BLS also forecasts student enrollment will increase at multiple grade levels. This all confirms that teachers will be in demand for the foreseeable future and that going back to school for teaching has the potential to secure you a long career. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to have a huge impact on your students that may last for the rest of their lives. That is the power of teaching!

professor in classroom with student

Skills and Interests to Consider Before Going Back to School for Teaching

If you’re thinking of going back to school for teaching, it is advisable to review your motivation for pursuing this profession to ensure you have the necessary passion and resilience for the job. But those are not the only requirements for success as a teacher, as you must also have the skills needed to do the job effectively.

Why Choose to Be a Teacher?

You may have your own reasons for going back to school to be a teacher. Teachers have different reasons for following this profession, some of which are very personal. Generally, all teachers feel the need to have a positive impact on people’s lives in the following ways:

Improving the quality of education. Many teachers strive to be the best they can be in imparting their knowledge of a subject to their students. Whether it’s English, math, science, engineering, or the arts, you need a passion for the particular subject that you teach before you can have an impact on the quality of education.

It’s your passion that drives you to improve your knowledge of a subject and also improve your teaching skills so that you can transfer that knowledge to your students effectively. While education administrators compile curricula,teachers have a direct impact on the success of their students through the quality of their teaching.

Maximizing student potential. This is probably what drives teachers the most. Developing student potential and being a part of their individual successes can make all the effort that you put into the job worthwhile.

Very few teachers can achieve a 100 percent success rate, but the particularly difficult challenges that turn into success stories are the ones that stimulate a teacher and provide the most job satisfaction. Every school year presents fresh challenges and new successes, which will keep your passion for teaching alive.

Changing the lives of students. As a teacher, you can take part in shaping the next generation. That demands more than straight teaching. It includes assessing the abilities of individual students and helping them to develop their talents. That means that you may often have to be more than a teacher—you may have to be a mentor or confidant.

Teachers do not only interact with students from a purely academic perspective. Great teachers will nurture their students by encouraging them to excel. They will also try to remove any obstacles that may prevent students from realizing their potential. These obstacles may often be personal, such as low self-esteem or problems at home. Whatever the reasons, good teachers strive to gain the trust and confidence of their students so that they can help them to overcome those personal challenges that stand in their way.

Giving back to the community. You may have a tremendous attachment to your community and feel the need to give back in some meaningful way. Nothing could be nobler than teaching, which helps to develop younger generations and prepare them for success in their chosen careers.

Skills Necessary for Teaching

Apart from a passion for teaching, you must have the necessary skills for the job:

Organization. You must be organized and able to conduct courses that have structure and conform to the required curriculum.
Communication. You must have the ability to teach subjects and explain concepts in a way that students will comprehend. Written and oral communication skills are also important when interacting with parents, peers, and other members of school staff.
Patience. Teachers must understand that not every student learns at the same pace. You need to be extremely patient with slower learners to ensure they are not left behind.
Knowledge. Nothing reduces your credibility faster than your inability to answer a question from one of your students. You must maintain a high level of knowledge of the subject being taught, which often requires ongoing learning on your part.

Educational Pathways For Students Going Back to School for Teaching

If you are considering going back to school to be a teacher, you must be aware of the educational requirements. For most teaching posts in the United States, you are required to have at least a bachelor’s degree. This must be supplemented by the completion of a state-accredited teacher certification program at a college or university.

Requirements for certification or licensure vary from state to state in the U.S. All certification programs include a period of practical teaching experience as a requirement to gain a license to teach. The duration of the teaching internship varies by state. All but four states also require you to pass three Praxis competency exams prior to certification. These exams are designed to test your knowledge and skills.

Types of Teaching Degrees

The following types of education degrees are some of the most common:

Early Childhood Education Degree. A degree in early childhood education is necessary if you intend to teach children between the ages of two and five.
Educational Leadership Degree. This type of program focuses on developing effective leadership and communication skills while teaching the administration requirements for a school, college,or university. Having a degree in educational leadership is ideal if you want to become the principal of a school at the elementary, middle, or high school level. College administrators will find this qualification useful for career advancement, while it is essential for a university president to have an educational leadership degree.
Bachelor’s in Education. It usually takes four or five years to complete a bachelor’s degree in education. This type of program allows you to pursue a specialty in a particular subject, such as math, English, or chemistry. You may also have the option to major in a second subject to broaden your career prospects. A bachelor’s degree program typically teaches you effective teaching methods, classroom management, and student psychology.
Master’s in Education. Having obtained a bachelor’s degree, you must usually then complete a two-year program to earn your your master’s degree. In this program, you will learn how to incorporate the latest technology in the classroom, as well as innovative teaching methods. This degree is designed for teachers who want to increase their chances of career advancement. In many cases, educational institutions will finance a deserving teacher to complete this degree.

In the United States, a master’s degree program will teach students educational theories, teaching modalities, and educational policies. You can elect to pursue your particular area of interest, including special education, administration, language instruction, or primary or secondary education.

Doctorate in Education. A doctorate in education is essential if you want to secure a leadership position in higher education. The doctoral program at a leading university will focus on teaching you how to impact higher education at the institutional level. You will learn how the fluctuating economy, changing technology, and increased competition have an impact on institutional growth, as well as the ways you can counteract any negative influences to ensure continued growth.

A doctoral degree program from one of the top universities will equip you with the skills to achieve the following:

Better prepare students for the workplace
Improve delivery and efficiency in higher education
Adapt an institution to emerging technology and modern administration systems
Gain insight into contemporary higher educational governance, policy, and financing

Potential Careers After Going Back to School for Teaching

If you’re intent on going back to school for teaching, you can rest assured that you will have the potential for a stable career ahead of you. Generally, teacher salaries are decent, and when you factor in the benefits and vacation time that you can spend with your family, it is a good career choice.

Teacher Salaries

Depending on your specialty and teaching preference, there are many career opportunities for teachers across the United States:

Preschool teachers. Median salary: $27,130.
Kindergarten and elementary school teachers. Median salary: $53,090.
Middle school teachers. Median salary: $53,430.
High school teachers. Median salary: $55,050.
Career and technical education teachers. Median salary: $51,910.
Special education teachers. Median salary: $55,060.

Median salaries are calculated across all states in the nation. Salaries differ according to the location, grade level, and subject taught. For example, the salary paid to elementary school teachers in New York ($74,830) is considerably higher than the U.S. median. Although salaries vary, teachers will continue to have excellent job opportunities to meet the growing need for educators.

A study has shown that teachers with a master’s degree earn, on average, $20,000 more per year than educators with only a bachelor’s degree. This qualification enables you to move into administration and become a vice principal or principal. The BLS reports that the median salary of elementary, middle, and high school principals is $87,760.

Career Advancement Prospects

Generally, the best way to advance your teaching career is to go back to school. In order to teach students in a higher grade or different subject and, in turn, earn a higher salary, teachers need to gain additional education to complement their teaching experience. This can open the pathway to a leadership or administrative position as a principal, vice principal, or department head.

A master’s degree allows you to advance your teaching career to higher education by becoming an educator or tutor at a college or university. This qualification gives you the option of moving away from a teaching role and into an administrative one. For example, you could be involved in the research and development of curricula for educational institutions. As another option, you could work in the business world, as corporations often hire teachers with a master’s degree to train and motivate their employees.

Teachers with a doctorate in education can pursue a post as a professor at a university or college. They can even advance to become the president of an institute of higher learning . Other administrative career opportunities include school administration and curriculum coordination.

Scholarships and Grants for Future Teachers

Teaching is recognized as a career that is critical to the nation’s well-being. For that reason, there are many avenues through which you can secure the necessary funding for your education. If you are going back to school to be a teacher, there are a number of both government and private grants and scholarships that you can apply for.

Government Grants

Federal grants for aspiring teachers include the following examples:

The Federal TEACH Grant. The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant is a non-repayable government grant that provides students with up to $4,000 per year. In return, recipients are required to teach for four years in a high-need field at an elementary school, secondary school, or educational service agency that serves students from low-income families. If you do not complete this obligation, the grant will be converted into a loan that must be repaid with interest.

High-need fields that have been identified include mathematics, foreign language, bilingual education and English language acquisition, reading specialist, science, and special education. These categories change with time as the government identifies teacher shortages nationwide.

The Federal Transition into Teaching Program. This program includes a selection of loans and loan forgiveness plans. It specifically targets teaching students who agree to take up jobs in historically underserved communities after graduation.
The Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG) and National SMART Grant. These grants are available to students intending to teach in the critical-need fields of science, mathematics, engineering, technology, and foreign languages. The ACG is available only to undergraduate students, while the SMART grant is awarded to graduate-level students.

Private Sector Grants and Scholarships

There are many grants and scholarships awarded by bodies in the private sector each year. Some are awarded by states and local educational institutions, while others are not state-specific. These include the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship and scholarships from Phi Delta Kappa, the American Montessori Society, and Bright Futures.

Scholarships are also awarded to minorities to promote diversity within the teaching profession. Some of the organizations that provide such assistance include the Hispanic Scholarship Fund, the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund, the United Negro College Fund, and the National Federation of the Blind.

You are advised to speak with someone at the financial aid office of the university or college where you intend to study. An academic adviser will be able to give you guidance on all the private sector grants and scholarships available for teaching.

Dare to Take That First Step Toward a Teaching Degree

The entire nation recognizes the importance of teaching even though it is not one of the highest-paid professions. But teaching can offer a stable career, with great benefits, and is the right choice for someone with the right amount of passion and the correct skill set.

If you’ve been thinking about going back to school to be a teacher, we are sure that this guide has convinced you that it is a good choice. Ready to learn more about how you can start the process of going back to school for a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate degree? Then take that first step and contact an enrollment advisor today.

Here are some other resources to consider when going back to school:
Statistics about Adult Students
Back to College Checklist
Going Back to School for Working Adults
Maryville Online

Sources:

https://teach.com/blog/reasons-for-becoming-a-teacher/

https://www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2016/article/education-jobs-teaching-for-a-living.htm

https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/types/grants-scholarships/teach

http://www.collegescholarships.org/grants/teachers.htm

Navigating Learning Disabilities and the Cost for Treatment

May 15, 2018#justbecauseyoushouldknow, Educational Resources, Educational Support, Special Needs, Student SupportSandy Carl

by DeVonne GoodeUpdated on 05.07.18

Education

Living with a learning disability can be a source of great frustration if it’s not fully understood – especially during a child’s school-age years. These disabilities have very little to do with a child’s behavior or level of intelligence. Rather, it comes down to understanding that people who live with learning disabilities are living with a different cognitive wiring than others.

For this reason, a learning disability can affect multiple areas of a person’s life well into adulthood. What can be helpful, however is early diagnosis and early intervention. By identifying a learning disability and implementing adequate and affordable tools for treatment, your child can have a full and productive life.

Types of learning disabilities

There can be a danger of generalizing all learning disabilities by saying that they merely cause difficulty with comprehension. The reality is there are multiple types of learning disabilities, and each have their own fingerprint.

According to the National Center for Learning Disabilities, about 10% of children in the U.S. live with some form of learning and attention issues. They range from the “specific learning disabilities” – which is the lawful designation under the Individuals with Education Disabilities Act (IDEA) – to the related but slightly different disorders that don’t quite get the same designation.

Here are a few of the more common types of specific learning disabilities and their traits:

Dyslexia

Referred to as a Language-based disability, where a person has trouble deciphering written words. This disorder makes it difficult to comprehend, recall, write, or spell words.

Approximately 15% of people have some form of dyslexia.

Dysgraphia

A learning disability that affects handwriting and fine motor skills. This disability can make it difficult to spell, write legibly, or think while writing.

Approximately 7% – 15% of people have some form of dysgraphia.

Auditory Processing Disorder

A sensory disorder that affects how the brain interprets sounds. Even if a person has normal hearing and vision, this disability can make it difficult to process sounds to make any meaningful connection.

Approximately 5% of children are living with a form of APD

Language Processing Disorder

A sensory disorder very similar to APD, but specific to interpreting language. This disorder makes it difficult to process words or sentences into receptive communication. Speech is also impeded.

The percentage of diagnosis is similar to APD, but there are specific areas of difference

Visual Perception Disorder

A disorder that affects how the brain processes visual stimuli. It can make drawing or copying shapes very difficult. It can also affect hand/eye coordination.

The symptoms and percentage of diagnosis can overlap with those of dyslexia, but there are specific areas of difference

Nonverbal Learning Disorder

A neurological disorder that affects the interpretation of body language, facial expressions, or other nonverbal communication. This disorder can also cause a person to have weaker visual-spatial and social skills.

Studies suggest that approximately 1% of people are diagnosed with a specific NVLD. However, this disorder is most closely connected to Asperger’s syndrome

Learning disorders are different from other conditions such as deafness, blindness, and autism. While these conditions can make learning difficult, they aren’t considered learning disabilities under Federal law. Also, attention disorders such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is often designated as a learning disorder, but it is not. Differentiating between attention disorders and specific learning disabilities can aid in proper diagnosis and helpful treatment.

Treatment for learning disabilities

If your child has a learning disability, it doesn’t mean they have an illness that needs to be cured. While they do have a lifelong condition, there are treatments that can allow these conditions to be managed.

It’s important to understand that there could be some co-occurring issues that arise with their disability that you may have to be prepared for as well. The key is to first educate your child about their disability so they can better understand their learning patterns. This will help to fend off any frustration when face difficulty related to their disorder.

Secondly, infusing learning exercises and other therapy tools into the daily routine can go a long way for positive reinforcement. In addition, it could encourage any gradual improvement in your child’s condition as they get older. Here’s more info on the potential co-occuring issues and practical treatment tips for each of the specific learning disabilities:

DISORDER	MEDICATION	TOOLS/TECHNIQUES
Dyslexia	Medication will only help with treating anxiety, depression, and ADHD. Other treatments such as behavioral cognitive therapy can also help.	Multisensory techniques such as word games, songs, and implementing physical touch to practice word recognition and recall.
Dysgraphia	Medication will only help with treating anxiety, depression, and ADHD. Other treatments such as behavioral cognitive therapy can also help.	Writing tools such as pencil grips, paper with highlighted lines, graphic organizers, and handwriting apps.
Auditory Processing Disorder	Medication to treat ADHD and anxiety only.	Speech therapy Auditory training therapy Word repetition gamesy
Language Processing Disorder	Medication to treat ADHD and anxiety only.	Comfortable environments that aren’t very loud or visually stimulating. Speech therapy Occupational therapy
Visual Perception Disorder	Medication will only help with treating anxiety, depression, and ADHD.	Behavioral vision therapy Educational therapy Physical stimuli such as sensory gyms
Nonverbal Learning Disorder	Medication will only help with treating anxiety, depression, and ADHD	Cognitive behavioral therapy Speech therapy Interaction with social skills coaches or small groups

Educational resources for children with learning disabilities

Thanks to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), it’s law in this country to provide free and appropriate public education to children with disabilities (FAPE). This means children who experience specific learning or attention-related disorders should be provided non-discriminatory, targeted educational services from infancy through age 21. Although these services can seem pretty straightforward, there are some unique traits that are specific to the child’s condition. It’s also important to note that not all children will be eligible for these services.

Eligibility

If you suspect your child should receive special education services, their public school will follow federal regulations to evaluate your child. There are two steps to this evaluation process.

The first step is an educational evaluation. This is usually conducted by the child’s teachers along with the school psychologist. The evaluation includes observing the child in the classroom and evaluating their academic records. A determination is also made during this stage whether or not the child has at least one of the 13 disabilities that are covered under IDEA. Afterwich, a report is written up.

The second step is the eligibility determination. Based on the evaluation, the school will decide if your child’s disability calls for special education services. Even if your child is shown to have one of the 13 covered disabilities, it still doesn’t guarantee that special services will be granted. The school may determine that despite your child’s disability, they are still learning at an acceptable rate within the general classroom setting. If special education services are granted, they will work with you to create an appropriate program for your child within 30 days.

Individualized Education Program (IEP)

Once your child is granted special education services, an Individualized Education Program is created. An IEP is a written statement, detailing the purpose, goals, and services related to your child’s needs. These statements are required for anyone who’s receiving special education.

It goes without saying, but it’s vital for parents to be involved with the development of the child’s IEP. It’s just as important for the student (if they’re of age) to be involved in the process as well. Specifically, students who will be transitioning to adulthood soon are encouraged to learn and have a say in as much as they can.

As the annual goals are met during the IEP, your child will be monitored to determine if any adjustments to the program are warranted. These can be helpful benchmarks if you decide to change schools or if there are any administrative changes. Regardless, your child must be reevaluated every three years to determine if they are still eligible for an IEP.

Professionals in the classroom who conduct various phases of the IEP include:

A psychologist
A speech therapist
A physical therapist
A vision or hearing specialist
A special educator

Instructional intervention

While an IEP is a strategic plan to help your child learn successfully in the classroom, instructional interventions are methods of tracking their progress. These interventions exist within the overall IEP to allow you to work with educators to monitor the effectiveness of a program. If it’s determined that your child needs a little extra time or additional support on a subject, adjustments will be made through an instructional intervention.

These are usually more targeted towards students with standard academic or behavioral issues rather than students with specific learning disabilities. However, they can be effective in either capacity.

What if my child isn’t granted special education services?

Even though many children are granted eligibility for special education programs at their schools, there are a number who aren’t. It can be tough to get the news that your child has been denied, but it doesn’t mean that your options are eliminated.

504 Plan

If your child isn’t eligible for services under IDEA, schools may encourage you to consider a 504 plan. This is a plan that supports accommodations in the classroom to help manage your child’s learning and attention disorder. Unlike an IEP, a 504 plan doesn’t alter your child’s curriculum. It simply allows for some small adjustments to be made to the learning environment.

Some of the accommodations include:

Sitting at the front of the class
Allowing for extra time on tests/assignments
Taking frequent breaks throughout the school day

Why might someone need to pay for treatment for learning disabilities?

Despite some of the helpful resources provided through the public school system, there are still instances where you’ll need to pay for your child’s treatment.

Your child is outside of the public school system

Some families don’t have access to resources simply because they aren’t in the public school system. Federal law dictates that all children be evaluated for learning disabilities. But free special education services are only provided to eligible public school attendees. Homeschooling or sending your child to private school doesn’t guarantee the same comprehensive coverage.

If your child is found to have a learning disability and they don’t attend public school, you have the option of either changing schools or staying with your private school and receiving equitable services. These are special services that are paid for through public school funding to provide some needed care. However, these funds are limited, so there’s a good chance the services will be limited as well. As a result, families who stay in private school will most likely need to pay for the outside care their child needs.

Here’s more information on special education services provided in private school:

Your child has therapy needs that aren’t provided by the school

Public schools are required to provide free and appropriate public education for kids with disabilities (FAPE). But they aren’t required to provide the very best services available. Your child may have needs that are a little more broad than what might be offered at their school. So purchasing additional services could make sense for you. Or, if you feel more comfortable with a specific private therapist and want to maintain that relationship, that’s also an understandable reason for going outside of school services.

Here are some forms of therapy you might consider if you’re searching for private options:

Payment options for private learning disabilities treatment

If you’re in the position to seek private treatment for your child’s learning disability, the costs involved should factor into your decisions. Though the services through FAPE are free, including the educational evaluations, private evaluations are not free. Neither are the private counselors and specialized schools. Below are the costs involved with treatment for learning disabilities and some options for funding.

Assessments

Performed by	Average cost	Funding options
Primary doctor	Insurance copay ($15-$30)	Cash
Pediatric Psychologist	$800-$200	Health insurance Cash Personal loan
Psychiatrist (Cannot assess learning disabilities, but will recommend medication for co-occurring issues such as ADHD and anxiety.)	Insurance copay ($15-$30)	Cash

Therapy

Treatment	Average cost	Funding options
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy	Up to $100 per hour or sliding scale based on income.	Health insurance Grants Personal loan Cash
Speech Therapy	$200-$250 for initial assessment $100-$200 per hour for regular sessions Copay of 10%-50% for those with insurance	Health insurance Grants Employee discounts Personal loan Cash
Educational Therapy	$60/hour per session $100-$250 for educational materials	Health insurance Grants Employee discounts Personal loan Cash
Occupational Therapy	$150-$200 for initial assessment $50-$400 per hour for regular sessions Copay of 10%-50% for those with insurance	Health insurance Grants Employee discounts Personal loan Cash

Private School

Level	Average tuition	Funding options
Elementary school	$7,770 per year	Government funding Personal loans Cash
High school	$13,030 per year	Government funding Personal loans Cash

Tax deduction and tuition reimbursement for private school

According to IRS Publication 502, you can include tuition (including room and board) for private school in your medical expenses when filing your taxes. This is an option only if you can prove that your child attends private school primarily for treatment of learning disabilities.

Even if the school is not primarily a special needs school, you can still take advantage of the option to classify your child’s education as a medical expense. It is, however still recommended that you speak to your financial advisor regarding this issue to avoid any miscommunication with your tax filings.

If you were approved for special education services but your public school is not working to adequately meet your needs, you could opt for placement in an approved private school as part of your child’s IEP. These private schools are licensed and approved for tuition reimbursement by the state.

If you prefer a different private school than the one your child is placed in, there’s a chance you could still be eligible for tuition reimbursement, but it depends on a couple of factors. First: Your school district doesn’t offer FAPE to begin with. Second: Your preferred private school is appropriate for your child’s needs.

Unsecured personal loans for disability services

When it comes down to paying for special needs services, leaning on health insurance and personal funds are among the more popular options. The truth is, not everyone is fully insured or confident enough about their financial standing to handle the expense.

An unsecured personal loan could be a helpful tool to offset some of your child’s learning disability needs. Unlike secured loans, an unsecured personal loan doesn’t require you to put up property as collateral (your home, your car). The last thing you want is to be concerned with the state of your assets if a default or something else unexpected were to happen. The hope is to leverage as many high-quality, affordable services as possible. And an unsecured personal loan could provide you with the flexibility and funds you need for your child’s care.