PresenceLearning partnered with MomsRising on Thursday, August 23 for a special tweet chat session on early education. During our #EarlyEdChat, we covered a range of topics including special education services and parent advocacy. Read the entire discussion below and learn how to advocate for students in your life.

Welcome to #EarlyEdChat! Today we’ll be joined by @PresenceLearn to talk about how educators can best support students with special needs, and how parents can find the support they need!

— MomsRising (@MomsRising) August 23, 2018

Q1. Welcome to #EarlyEdChat, @PresenceLearn! Can you each introduce yourself and your work for those who may not be familiar?

— MomsRising (@MomsRising) August 23, 2018

A1.1 Thank you for having us! We’re excited to participate in this #EarlyEdChat Joining the discussion from PresenceLearning today is our CEO, Clay Whitehead and our Senior Clinical Practice Director and Speech Language Pathologist, Adrian Mamikonian.

— PresenceLearning (@PresenceLearn) August 23, 2018

A1.2 We’ll share information and resources today to support & empower moms and parents looking to learn more about special education. #EarlyEdChat

— PresenceLearning (@PresenceLearn) August 23, 2018

A1.3 Many kids are on their way back to school right now, and for parents of children with special needs, this time can be particularly stressful. So today, we’ll focus on how parents can find the tools and support they need for their kiddos to get a strong start! #EarlyEdChat

— PresenceLearning (@PresenceLearn) August 23, 2018

Q2. Let’s start with a bit of background. How many kids nationwide are considered to have special needs? And when we say special needs, what exactly are we referring to? #EarlyEdChat

— MomsRising (@MomsRising) August 23, 2018

A2.1: The number of US students ages 3–21 receiving special education services is roughly 6.7 million, or 13 percent of all public school students. But, nearly 20% of kids have a special need of some type. #EarlyEdChat

— PresenceLearning (@PresenceLearn) August 23, 2018

A2.2 So, even if your child isn’t in special education, it doesn’t mean that they may not need services. See this website for more information : https://t.co/BA7koKRo4Y #EarlyEdChat

— PresenceLearning (@PresenceLearn) August 23, 2018

Q3. What kind of services does @PresenceLearn provide, and for what ages? #EarlyEdChat

— MomsRising (@MomsRising) August 23, 2018

A3.1: We provide teletherapy services including: speech therapy, occupational therapy, behavioral and mental health services and assessments to children and teens of all ages. #EarlyEdChat

— PresenceLearning (@PresenceLearn) August 23, 2018

A3.2: We make therapy fun, effective, and convenient by bringing it online and connecting students with the best therapists we can find nationally. We think choice is very important, and that families shouldn’t be restricted to local therapists. #EarlyEdChat

— PresenceLearning (@PresenceLearn) August 23, 2018

Q4 How does @PresenceLearn use technology to connect with kids and their families? #EarlyEdChat

— MomsRising (@MomsRising) August 23, 2018

A4.1: PresenceLearning provides live, online therapy. Our unique platform supports engaging interaction between the therapist and student—they collaborate on shared activities. #EarlyEdChat

— PresenceLearning (@PresenceLearn) August 23, 2018

A4.2: In addition to built-in games and assessments, therapists can create & upload their own documents, and access thousands of therapy activities to share with students. #EarlyEdChat

— PresenceLearning (@PresenceLearn) August 23, 2018

Q5: Can you share what services are available for early intervention, and how they transition into school based services? #EarlyEdChat

— MomsRising (@MomsRising) August 23, 2018

A5.1: Yes! Many parents don’t know this, but the Child Find section of IDEA mandates that school districts, “locate, identify and evaluate all children with disabilities from birth through age 21.” #EarlyEdChat

— PresenceLearning (@PresenceLearn) August 23, 2018

A5.2: If eligible, your child may receive early intervention (defined as age 0-3) services through your local school district, many times delivered right in your home. #EarlyEdChat

— PresenceLearning (@PresenceLearn) August 23, 2018

A5.3: Any service that is offered in a school would be offered, if applicable, to your child. As a parent, you have the right to request an evaluation. #EarlyEdChat

— PresenceLearning (@PresenceLearn) August 23, 2018

A5.4: The team will start with a full developmental evaluation followed by a meeting to determine the plan of care through an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP). #EarlyEdChat

— PresenceLearning (@PresenceLearn) August 23, 2018

A5.5: When the student transitions into school at age 3, the IFSP transitions to an Individualized Education Program (IEP). This IEP will follow him/her and will change and adapt according to the student’s needs at that time. #EarlyEdChat

— PresenceLearning (@PresenceLearn) August 23, 2018

Q6: What can parents do if they suspect their child might need some additional services and what do should they do? #EarlyEdChat

— MomsRising (@MomsRising) August 23, 2018

A6: If your child is receiving services & you believe further testing may be warranted, you as the parent may request a team meeting at any time. At this meeting, the IFSP/IEP team will determine the appropriate course of action. #EarlyEdChat

— PresenceLearning (@PresenceLearn) August 23, 2018

Q7: What kind of accomodations are schools required to provide for children with different abilities? Additionally, do you have any tips for making the transition back to school easier on families? #EarlyEdChat

— MomsRising (@MomsRising) August 23, 2018

A7.1: There are many different types of accommodations. A school may offer accommodations only via a “504 plan” (if no IEP), or accommodations may be included within the student’s IEP. #EarlyEdChat

— PresenceLearning (@PresenceLearn) August 23, 2018

A7.2: Accommodations can range from simple ones (such as classroom seating, extra time taking a test, or having instructions read out loud) to more intensive (such as providing the student with a 1:1 aide in the classroom). #EarlyEdChat

— PresenceLearning (@PresenceLearn) August 23, 2018

Q8: Can you share what parents’ rights are when it comes to public school accommodation for their children? #EarlyEdChat

— MomsRising (@MomsRising) August 23, 2018

A8.1: It’s important to note that not all students qualify for all accommodations. The goal is to help the student be successful in the classroom with the least amount of support possible, in his/her least restrictive environment. #EarlyEdChat

— PresenceLearning (@PresenceLearn) August 23, 2018

A8.2: For more information about your special education laws, please see visit the IDEA website: https://t.co/19xfchCb3r #EarlyEdChat

— PresenceLearning (@PresenceLearn) August 23, 2018

Q9: Do you have suggestions for parents for how they can be an advocate for their children and their needs, and how to find tools and resources to support them? #EarlyEdChat

— MomsRising (@MomsRising) August 23, 2018

A9.1: Absolutely! The first thing I would do (and I have actually done this as a parent of a child who needed early intervention services) is look up the eligibility requirements and the Child Find process in your state because they vary. #EarlyEdChat

— PresenceLearning (@PresenceLearn) August 23, 2018

A9.2: You should be able to find the phone number of the right person to contact in your school district, or you can even just call your local elementary school and they can point you in the right direction. #EarlyEdChat

— PresenceLearning (@PresenceLearn) August 23, 2018

A9.3: My best advice for parents starting this process is to remember that knowledge is power. YOU are part of the team & you have a voice! #EarlyEdChat

— PresenceLearning (@PresenceLearn) August 23, 2018

A9.4: If you don’t agree with something in the IFSP/IEP, ask for clarification. If you still don’t agree, don’t sign it! #EarlyEdChat

— PresenceLearning (@PresenceLearn) August 23, 2018

A9.5: A district can’t tell you “we only offer 30 min/week of speech to all students.” They are required by law to individualize IEPs to students and their needs, and not based on staffing, schedules, or other restrictions. #EarlyEdChat

— PresenceLearning (@PresenceLearn) August 23, 2018

A9.6: At PresenceLearning, our services are geared towards providing those individualized services in a very innovative way, to insure all students get the services they need for success. #EarlyEdChat.

— PresenceLearning (@PresenceLearn) August 23, 2018

Q10: Are there any best practices for caregivers and educators to create inclusive, supportive classroom environments for children of all abilities and needs? #EarlyEdChat

— MomsRising (@MomsRising) August 23, 2018

A10.1: I read this great article over the weekend. It talks about making sure disability awareness is included in your list of topics as you start school. https://t.co/UP9W2EDEuA #EarlyEdChat

— PresenceLearning (@PresenceLearn) August 23, 2018

A10.2: Talking to your typically developing child or your students if you are an educator about how to accept and interact with students with disabilities is absolutely essential. #EarlyEdChat

— PresenceLearning (@PresenceLearn) August 23, 2018

Q11: From a policy perspective, what kind of change needs to happen to ensure that all families have the support they need to provide the best education for their kiddos? #EarlyEdChat

— MomsRising (@MomsRising) August 23, 2018

A11.1: First, some states still have not authorized Medicaid reimbursement for telehealth in special education, which prevents students from benefiting from services offered by PresenceLearning. #EarlyEdChat

— PresenceLearning (@PresenceLearn) August 23, 2018

A11.2: Another is moving toward a national license for clinicians like speech therapists so they can provide services to students nationwide without the delay and cost of licensing state-by-state. #EarlyEdChat

— PresenceLearning (@PresenceLearn) August 23, 2018

Q12: Do you have any additional suggestions or resources you’d like to share with parents who may be looking for additional tools for their families? #EarlyEdChat

— MomsRising (@MomsRising) August 23, 2018

A12.1: Thank you for taking the time to join in our #EarlyEdChat

— PresenceLearning (@PresenceLearn) August 23, 2018

A12.2 PresenceLearning is interested in hearing from moms & parents alike. If you’d like to learn more about PresenceLearning’s services, please visit our website: https://t.co/ukqBiUQGHO #EarlyEdChat

— PresenceLearning (@PresenceLearn) August 23, 2018

Thank you @PresenceLearn for joining us today for this important conversation! #EarlyEdChat

— MomsRising (@MomsRising) August 23, 2018