Tips on Creating an IEP with a Developmental Focus Accommodations to alleviate stress, anxiety, and to increase your child’s overall functioning in the classroom Libby Majewski, RDI® Program Certified Consultant

“Go Non-Verbal” Increase non-verbal communication Use more: o Gestures o Facial Expressions o Body Language Example: o A shrug= “I don’t know” o Pointing= What you’re looking for is over there Outcome: Encourages child to reference teacher!

Quality over Quantity: When it Comes to Language Limit use of spoken language: o Lengthy explanations o Instructions o Questions o Prompted responses and conversations Outcome: Reduces confusion and anxiety

Talk to Share Experiences Enhance teacher-student relationship by focusing on shared experiences Examples: o “I’m so hungry today.” o “Oops, I made a mistake, I’ll try again.” o “I think it’s going to rain today” Outcome: Helps child to use their language in a more meaningful and natural way

Decrease Prompt Dependency Decrease use of direct prompts o Request staff to NOT directly tell your child what to do Examples: o Don’t: “You need a pencil. Take out your pencil box and open it.” o Do: “Hmm, you need something…I bet you can find it” (Then wait!) Outcome: Child begins to engage more in problem solving and cognitive growth

Implement “The 30 Second Rule” Increase “wait time” o Wait after asking a question or giving a direction o Give indirect prompts Example: o “Uh oh!” while pointing at the floor when something has fallen, shifting gaze back from child to floor Outcome: Increase in child’s confidence and ability to learn that they can figure things out on their own

Implement “A Picture a Day” Incorporate use of pictures & video Helps kids encode positive memories in the classroom o Personal accomplishments o Positive interaction with peers Example: o Make a “Memory Book” Outcome: o Child will be more willing to seek out opportunities in which they remember feeling good