How do I write inclusive IEP goals if my child's teacher doesn't support inclusion in gen ed?

When you have a child who has a visible disability, people look at your child and think your child might not be able to do anything. That is what we are up against most of the time. If your child's teacher or resource specialist provider is not presuming competence, they may be less supportive of inclusion in general education, but there are resources available to help.

For example, there are educator programs to try to get teachers to go to. You can talk to your child's teacher about the supports that would help your child with transitions, schedules, classwork, etc.

Children also need to have goals that are aligned with the Common Core curriculum. Take a look at the state standards and the Core Content Connectors/Essential Understandings and write the goals from that place.

Part of inclusion is having your child do the same type of thing as other students. For example, when the class is writing sentences, your child should also be doing their English Language Arts goal. Maybe they’re using word cards, letter ID/sounds, etc.

If your child has RSP service, make sure the person who is modifying your child's work is outlined in the IEP. Maybe all the kids are reading something, and the person responsible for modifications will make something shorter or load it onto your child's iPad or AAC.

There’s a section in the IEP called “Other Supports.” That’s where you can get consult minutes written in for the SpEd teacher with the gen ed teacher. In an ideal world, you’d have inclusion specialist doing this, but not all districts have one. You can start by getting those consult minutes into the IEP.