by Samantha Brown

Created on: April 21, 2008

The purpose for establishing a behavior plan, is (3) key factors.
1. The parents obtaining and receiving those individual services, his or her child needs. That's through the schools IEP Team, The SIT Team and also the TSP Team. Your child's school should already have those in place, if not then contact the principal immediately. That' the law, under the education act, for children with disabilities and related services.

2.Make sure you as a parent, access the critical need for the services for your child. This insures a quick response, because the importance of helping the child in a structured learning environment. Be able to cope with the decision, that's the key to a successful path for you and your child. There is a lot of support out there for you and your child. You don't have to settle for what the administration tells you. The fact that you have rights under certain laws and acts protects you and your child. Some administrators feel maintaining a budget and numbers are more important,than the critical needs of the child. Don't settle for less.

3. Be sure to keep constant contact with your child's teacher. Ask for daily reports on overall class performance. If the teacher continues to send parent conferences home. Then you need to take action, address the issues at hand, don't let the teacher continue to give explanations as to why, your child my not need resources. Make the request in writing, that way it's not lost in the system. Then request the school counselor is involved. More documentation. The better. Once the initial step has been taken, the process as follows. You meet with the Team Support Personnel, the first line of setting up the behavioral plan. The next meeting is the IEP Team, Individual Educational Plan Assessment, they also includes the IAP, The Individual Assessment Plan for the child. This allows you the parent, to make what's important in your child's education. Last is the SIT Team. Their the final step in the approval of the services needed. Student Improvement Team. Once in place your have to opportunity to choose where and when the services are to be administered. That's the sole purpose of the Behavioral Plan, to ensure the safety and education of the child and to also provide and effective learning environment for your child, to meet the needs of the student.

One important note to parents: If the suggestion comes up in the IEP, to medicate the child don't, unless a physician says it absolutely necessary. I assure you, there are other resource outside of medication. Parent advocate groups have discovered them to work very well. There are several websites to give you more insight to your situation. Such as Parents Action for Children is a good source to start. Another one, is a initiative called Parent to Parent. Parent to Educators is a real informative site. To help you understand the Special Education language being used.

I hope this helps the large group of parents, seeking the resources needed to help their child's life become healthier and happy.

Learn more about this author, Samantha Brown.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.