Individualized education programs (IEP) help to make public schooling accessible for students with special needs. Parents work together with educators and developmental professionals to create a program that allows a child with special needs to attend public school with their peers.
Frequently, IEPs include provisions allowing for testing accommodations or support for sensory issues. Some children might have more intensive support needs than others. Developmental delays and emotional challenges could make it difficult for them to integrate into a classroom with other students.
Can parents request one-on-one support as part of a student’s IEP?
Paraprofessional support is sometimes available
California’s public school system does allow for the integration of paraprofessionals into mainstream classrooms. Students with medical challenges, developmental delays and behavioral issues may require more attention than the primary teacher in the classroom can provide.
In such cases, the placement of a one-on-one paraprofessional can make public schooling more accessible. Paraprofessionals can help students manage emotional reactions and can provide support when students feel overwhelmed by classroom instruction.
They can also play an important role in helping ensure compliance with the student’s IEP in a classroom setting. Typically, a child’s support needs must be relatively high for paraprofessional placement to be an option.
One-on-one support from a paraprofessional is sometimes necessary to make public education an option for children with intensive support requirements. Advocating for the right supports when creating or renewing an IEP can be beneficial for parents and their children with special needs. Parents may need support as they evaluate their options and seek the specific accommodations their children need to thrive in public school, and that’s okay.