Educational Support for Children with XXY
Children with XXY often face unique educational challenges that may include learning differences, speech and language delays, attention difficulties, and social-emotional needs. Understanding your child's educational rights and available support options is crucial for ensuring they receive appropriate services and accommodations to thrive academically.
Many children with XXY experience difficulties in areas such as reading comprehension, written expression, mathematical reasoning, executive functioning, and social communication. These challenges don't reflect their intelligence but rather indicate the need for specialized support strategies. As a parent, you are your child's best advocate, and knowing how to navigate the educational system can make all the difference in their academic success.
The Special Education Process: A Step-by-Step Guide
- Referral: Child Find process or school staff identifies a need for evaluation, OR you as the parent make a written request for evaluation. You have the right to request an evaluation at any time.
- Initial Evaluation: Within 60 calendar days from the referral date, a meeting is scheduled to gather the team and determine the plan for data collection and comprehensive assessment.
- Multidisciplinary Evaluation Team (MET) Meeting: Legal guardians and school professionals review data and evaluation results to determine eligibility for special education and related services within the original 60-day timeframe.
- Eligibility Decision: If eligibility is agreed upon, an initial IEP meeting must be held within 30 calendar days. If disagreed upon, an Independent Educational Evaluation may be requested as a second opinion.
- Initial Placement & Implementation: The IEP team and Educational Guardian discuss the least restrictive environment and implementation strategies. Consent from both the legal guardian and team must be obtained.
- Ongoing Reviews: IEP reviews occur annually (or earlier if requested). Every three years, continued eligibility is determined through re-evaluation, which may occur earlier if appropriate.
Ongoing Support: Reviews and Renewals
IEP reviews must occur annually, though they may occur before the year mark if requested by any team member. Every three years, continued eligibility is determined through re-evaluation, which may occur earlier if appropriate. Re-testing must be requested by the education parent at the re-evaluation meeting, ensuring that your child's changing needs are continuously addressed.
It's important to understand manifestation hearings, which occur when a child with an IEP faces suspension or expulsion of more than 10 days. These hearings determine if the negative behavior was a result of their disability, protecting your child's educational rights even during disciplinary situations.
ADDitude Magazine: Expert Guidance for Attention and Learning Challenges
ADDitude Magazine serves as a comprehensive resource for parents navigating attention and learning challenges. While focused on ADHD, many strategies and insights directly apply to children with XXY who often experience similar attention and learning difficulties. The magazine is committed to providing evidence-based guidance from leading medical and mental health professionals, combined with real-world experiences from families living with attention challenges.
Children with XXY frequently experience attention difficulties, executive functioning challenges, and learning differences that mirror those seen in ADHD. ADDitude's focus on practical, evidence-based strategies provides valuable tools for addressing these overlapping challenges in educational settings. Their specific sections dedicated to IEPs and 504 plans offer practical advice that can help you navigate the special education process more effectively.
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IRIS Center: Research-Based Instructional Strategies
The IRIS Center, supported by the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education Programs and located at Vanderbilt University's Peabody College, offers free, research-based resources specifically designed to support the education of students with disabilities. Their emphasis on evidence-based practices is particularly valuable for children with XXY, whose learning profiles may require specialized instructional approaches.
The center develops and disseminates engaging online resources about evidence-based instructional and behavioral practices to support the education of all students, particularly struggling learners and those with disabilities. As a federally supported resource, the IRIS Center maintains high standards for research validity, ensuring that the strategies and information provided are grounded in scientific evidence rather than anecdotal approaches.
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PACER Center: Empowering Parents as Advocates
PACER Center is a parent training and information center specifically designed for families of children and youth with all disabilities from birth through young adulthood. This organization specializes in empowering parents to advocate effectively for their children's educational rights. Their focus on parent empowerment and advocacy training is essential for XXY families, as parents often serve as the primary advocates for their children's unique needs.
The center provides comprehensive parent training on special education rights and processes, with specific guidance on IEP and 504 plan development and implementation. Their expertise covers the entire age span from birth to young adulthood, including information about transition planning for post-secondary education and employment. PACER's comprehensive approach addresses not just immediate educational concerns but also long-term planning for independence and success.
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Useful Special Education Websites
- Center for Special Education Finance Part of the American Institutes for Research, this site includes information about how special education funds are being spent.
- Council for Exceptional Children The Council for Exceptional Children is a leading professional organization for special educators. This site includes information about their conferences, publications, professional development, and activities.
- IDEA U.S. Department of Education's main portal for the IDEA; it contains updates on IDEA, IDEA regulations, articles, and other general information.
- Internet Special Education Resources This site provides links to many other sites with information on services and products. It is designed for parents but is useful to professionals.
- National Association of Private Special Education Centers The National Association of Private Special Education Centers is a nonprofit association whose mission is to represent private special education programs and affiliated state associations.
- Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) The official site of OSEP, part of the U.S. Department of Education; includes information on programs & initiative, department contacts, reports & publications, and latest news.
- Special Education News Special Education News is an online newspaper with current articles on special education.
Government Resources
- Congress.gov This website provides links to many resources on current legislative activities.
- Federal Register This is the official website for the Federal Register, a daily journal of the federal government.
- Office for Civil Rights (OCR) This is the website of the Office for Civil Rights of the U.S. Department of Education.
- Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) This is the website of the Office of Special Education Programs of the U.S. Department of Education.
- Supreme Court of the United States The official website of the U.S. Supreme Court.
- United States Courts This is the U.S. Federal Judiciary website.
- U.S. Department of Education This is the official website of the U.S. Department of Education.
- U.S. House of Representatives This is the official website of the U.S. House of Representatives.
- U.S. Senate This is the official website of the U.S. Senate.
- White House This is the official website of the White House.
Educational Achievements by XXY Men
- BE Fine Art (Montana paid my tuition) and a B.S. in Psychology. Montana State University -Billings
- Foster Parent
- Associates degree in Drafting and design, Bachelors of Science in Surveying and Mapping, FAA sUAS Pilot License
- Bachelors in Paranormal Studies & Ancient Languages, Minor Degree in Counselling At UMass
- CIA (Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park-NY) and got my associates degree in Culinary arts
- Automotive engineering technology Brigham Young University-Idaho
- Masters in health sciences Duquesne university
- Bachelor of arts in liberal arts, and a concentration in photography at Rhode Island College
- Law Degree with Honours
- Bachelors in Public Health – Brigham Young University
- Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy – Abilene Christian University
- Certificate in Gerontology – Virginia Tech
- PhD – in progress – at Virginia Tech
- Associates in general business
- Bachelors in Marketing
- Bachelors of Finance from Louisiana Tech University
- MBA at the University of New Orleans
- University of Canterbury and completed a bachelor of fine arts majoring in typographic design. I returned 2 years later to complete my honors
- Bachelor of Arts major Theology minor Counselling. ALCM Australia and London College of Music – an Associate Diploma in Speech and Drama
- Cert 4 in Disability Studies
- Bachelors of Science in Psychology
- BA – University of Chicago in Public Policy and Geography
- BS in Business Administration & BS in Sports Management from Colby-Sawyer College
- Master's level classes in Genetic Counseling classes and Cyber Security
- I did my MBA at the University of Brighton, England
- Diploma of Business in frontline management
- BA in English, MA in drama, lifetime teaching credential HS, Contractor's License, Holistic Health Practitioner and Educator 1000 hour Certificate, Capt Firefighter, ret. 2005, Water Supply Tender Ops ret., 2018
- NVQ level 4 in business administration
- Bachelors in Criminal Justice
- BSc(Hons) Green Technology from University of Glasgow
- Cert 3 & 4 in personal training
- A list of SVQs covering carpentry & separately green keeping
- MBA in business
- Bachelor of Arts in Business Admin, Minor in Theatrical Design from Flagler College
- BA in psychology, MS Industrial & Organizational Psych. 5 years later MBA. 4 Years later MA Chinese Medicine and PHD Integrative Medicine
- Associates degree in Applied Science (AAS) – Electronics. Eastern Maine Community College
- Diploma of community services work
- Diploma in Thai massage
- Diploma in swedish massage
- National Cert (NVQ) in Landscape Construction & Higher Cert (HNC) in Contract Management from Oatridge Agri College
- Qualified Pastisserie Chef
- AS in Business Administration from CCBC
- National certificate in dairy farming
- B.S. in Hospitality and Tourism Management from FIU
- Bachelors and Masters in Architecture
- A degree in Ornamental Horticulture
- A degree in Paramedicine
- Resident in Marriage and Family Therapy in Virginia
- 3rd-year PhD Student at Virginia Tech studying grandparents who raise their grandchildren
- Bachelor of Fine Arts at a music conservatory
- UK education – left school at 16 with a few exams but not maths. Studied nursing and specialized in trauma nursing. At 31 took myself to uni to study law (LLB Hons). At 36 studied for an MSc and at 56 got my MBA
State Special Education Websites
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Puerto Rico
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Acronyms To Know
| Acronym | Meaning | Definition | Resource |
|---|---|---|---|
| ADR | Alternative Dispute Resolution | Alternative opportunities for parties to resolve disputes collaboratively and avoid litigation, typically through negotiation, mediation, or arbitration. | American Bar Association |
| CP | Cerebral Palsy | A group of disorders that affect movement and muscle tone or posture. | CDC - Cerebral Palsy Facts |
| DIS | Designated Instruction and Services | Any services that are necessary to help a student succeed from their special education program. | Disability Rights California |
| DS | Down Syndrome | A genetic chromosome 21 disorder causing developmental and intellectual delays. | National Down Syndrome Society |
| FERPA | Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act | A United States federal law that governs the access to educational information and records by public entities. | U.S. Department of Education |
| FAPE | Free and Appropriate Public Education | An educational right of all students in the United States that is guaranteed by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. | U.S. Department of Education |
| IEE | Independent Educational Evaluation | An evaluation conducted by a qualified examiner (generally a doctor) who is not employed by the public agency responsible for the education of the student. | IDEA Regulations |
| IDEA | Individuals with Disabilities Education Act | A four-part piece of American legislation that ensures students with a disability are provided with Free Appropriate Public Education that is tailored to their individual needs. | IDEA Official Site |
| MID | Mental Intellectual Disability | Below average intelligence and set of life skills present before age 18. | American Psychiatric Association |
| OT | Occupational Therapy | The use of assessment and intervention to develop, recover, or maintain the meaningful activities, or occupations, of individuals, groups, or communities. | American Occupational Therapy Association |
| PT | Physical Therapy | The treatment of individuals who have medical problems or other health-related conditions that limit their abilities to move and perform functional activities in their daily lives. | American Physical Therapy Association |
| PWN | Prior Written Notice | The parent or guardian's right to hear about the changes made to their student's IEP. | IDEA Model Form |
| PSRS | Procedural Safeguards and Referral Services | This is a document for parents and guardians that lay out the process of obtaining an IEP, the rights of their child, and their rights as well. | Arizona Department of Education |
| SI | Sensory Integration | Processes in the brain that allow us to take information we receive from our 5 senses, organize it, and respond appropriately. | American Academy of Pediatrics |
| SSDI | Social Security Disability Income | Federal programs that provide assistance to people with disabilities. | Social Security Administration |
| SPED | Special Education | The practice of educating students in a way that addresses their individual differences and needs. | Arizona Department of Education |
| SLP | Speech Language Pathologist | A physician that helps individuals with but not limited to speech sounds, language, social communication, voice, fluency, feeding and swallowing. | American Speech-Language-Hearing Association |
Helpful Learning Sites
- www.kahn.com
- www.epic.com
- www.teacherspayteachers.com
- www.readingvine.com
- www.rewordify.com
- www.handwritingpractice.net/
- www.education.com
- www.helpingwithmath.com
- www.edhelper.com
- www.sightwords.com
- www.dolchword.net
- www.commoncoresheets.com
- www.mobymax.com
- www.ixl.com
- www.scholastic.com
- www.wordsmyth.net
- www.google.com
- www.teachertube.com
- www.adaptedmind.com
- www.hotmath.org
- www.dragonbox.com
- www.freckle.com
- www.gregtangmath.com
- www.desmos.com
- www.prodigygame.com
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