Welcome to Arizona's Advocates hot topics. As the year begins the following questions are arising:

What do I do if the para professional/aide I was promised is not working with my child for the hours that we agreed upon previously? You must request in writing an IEP meeting make sure a decision maker from the school or district is present (principal, district level special education staff, director of special education in some cases), this is a funding and scheduling issue. The school must follow what is written on the IEP so if it's not clear make it specific. Take the time in the meeting to make sure an addendum is written and that the agreement is clear so that anyone would understand the hours, classes or activities that the aide/para-professional will be present for.

The teacher is not communicating with me as the IEP team agreed upon last year, what can I do? Email and or call the teacher, let them know that you look forward to working together as a collaborative team.   Ask the teacher what his/her   perfered method of   communication is, daily or weekly. Then identify 2 days of the week (not friday) that would work in your schedule. Again ask   the teacher to choose the best day for   the communication. If the response is "I can not communicate with you"   then just simply remind him/her that it is in the IEP and if he/she wants to change it then he/she will have to call an IEP meeting.   Until then   the teacerh   will need communicate in the format agreed to by the previous team. If its a daily thing then maybe a Word.doc form he/she can simply fill in with little effort then email would help the situation. Focus in on key issues don't ask for every detail you will kill the teachers will to participate. Ultimately you   lead   a horse to water but can make them drink. If its no then get a meeting ASAP with the team and find out   who can, how and when. Get it in writing on an   addendum,   if its not in writing you have   no standing if they don't do it.  

My child takes homeopathic treatments or digestive enzymes at school and the nurse is saying she can't do that, what do I do? You could have the need added to the IEP or 504 plan. These substances are not controlled and therefore do not require a doctors perscription. Just like any over the counter medication you need the original bottle with doseage. Its just like Advil, hayfever treatments     or an antacid. Many nurses or health assistants are under educated in this area so a little kindness goes a long way. Kind but firm. Come in with a plausible plan of action, but be flexible in the application and approach. Think ahead by having classmates responsible for saving places in the lunch line so your student doesn't loose their spot or make dosage times at the end of class or beginning. If   you have a   high school or middle school student sometems these products   can be carried by the student so class time is not missed. If this is an option you must do all paper work with the nurse and keep a bottle in the nurses office just encase of any problems with suspected sharing or drug use charges.

My child behaviors are being ignored, they are not follow the behavior plan, they are asking me to come and get my child before schools over. What are my rights? Call for an IEP meeting, these issues are serious and could be caused by a multitude of things. Complicated call Arizon's Advocates for individual suggestions.

When things are not going well at school be proactive. Work with the school to find an effective solution. If they don't have the answers and your struggling, ask around and find out what other families have done. Call state resources and   Arizona's   Advocates   until you find what works for your situation. There are so many great solutions out there just waiting to be shared.