Cara Nissman

Prevent inappropriate ADHD referrals for students of color

Learn four actions to take to avoid having Black students unnecessarily being labeled with ADHD or another disability when they return to school.

5 factors to consider when parents request grade retention for their child

Conversation topics educators can have with parents in making individualized decisions about a request to retain include pre-pandemic skill levels, remote instruction progress and alternatives to retention.

3 ways to support students with emotional and behavioral disorders now

How to work with students in person and online when the spring and summer months have resulted in regression of self-regulation abilities and inappropriate behaviors

What should active shooter training look like now?

Consider these five ideas for school lockdown drills to help avoid further traumatizing already-anxious students when buildings reopen.

Serving English learners with disabilities online this fall

School districts should be ready to step it up on addressing the needs of English learners who require extra support and may need to access education remotely for the new school year, says an educational consultant.

How to support students in virtual IEP meetings

Here are nine ways school teams can help students with disabilities to feel comfortable and meaningfully participate in IEP meetings held remotely this fall.

Expect heightened anxiety, behavioral issues in returning students

Students with disabilities are particularly vulnerable to experiencing anxiety, regardless of whether they exhibited such signs before the COVID-19 outbreak. Here are 6 tips to help these students find success back at school.

Get organized for IEP meeting overload this fall

Despite most school districts continuing to conduct IEP meetings remotely during school shutdowns, fall promises to be a busy time for planning and placement teams. Administrators can prevent disagreements and delays regarding these meetings by following these four tips.

Stamina and stigma: Student challenges after contracting COVID-19

District leaders must consider how to address students recovering from coronavirus who are returning to school, particularly students with disabilities who may have lingering issues that interfere with learning.

5 strategies for remote SEL and preparing for a return to school

Don't lose sight of social-emotional learning as the pandemic continues. Many students are in need of social-emotional support, even if they haven't needed it in the past.

Managing parent requests for full-time virtual learning

Rather than automatically rejecting a request for a student with disabilities to continue virtual schooling for after school buildings re-open, school teams can take several actions.

5 ways to address suicidal thoughts during school closures

Remote suicide prevention efforts involve reinforcing coping skills and collaborating with families and community partners to support students at-risk for having suicidal thoughts.

Threat assessment during distance learning

Here's how districts have ensured their staff continue to collaborate and follow protocol regarding student threat assessment during the pandemic.

Prepare now for smoother virtual IEP meetings in fall

If remote IEP meetings have been shaky during this time of school closure, administrators and special ed teachers should use this time to prepare for more efficient meetings this upcoming school year.

Hands off: Physical therapy during the pandemic

Learn how physical therapists who are used to working hands-on with students have been consulting with parents to ensure students don't miss out on services they usually receive in school.