RESOURCE RESULTS

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) lists five special factors that your child’s IEP team must consider while developing your child’s IEP. Use this factsheet to learn about these five special factors.

Check out this MSDE Technical Assistance Bulletin about mask-wearing for students with disabilities.

Use this form to collect data on your child’s learning during virtual/remote/distance learning. After you fill out the form, you should share it with your child’s IEP or 504 team.

There are many ways teachers can help kids who are struggling in school. Here are some
common accommodations and modifications that schools and families can discuss as possible options for kids.

The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) supports using a multi-tiered or level system of supports. This gives educators the tools needed to meet the needs of ALL students. Learn about Integrated Tiered System of Supports with this factsheet.

The Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), within the U.S. Department of
Education’s (Department) Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services,
issues this Question and Answer (Q & A) document in response to inquiries concerning
implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part B provision
of services in the current COVID-19 environment. View here.

Understanding terms is important. Use this factsheet to understand the difference between home school, home and hospital instruction, and remote learning.

Use this factsheet to understand what it means to truly have Free and Appropriate Public Education.

Watch this webinar to learn about the Judy Centers on the Lower Shore of MD.

School has started which means there are many policies and guidance being sent. Here is a quick one-pager to remind you of the importance of your child’s IEP.

Use this guide to understand what is and what isn’t Specially Designed Instruction (SDI).

Watch our webinar about Sexuality and Developmental Disabilities to learn about the importance of discussing sexuality, comprehensive sex education, sexual development, and more with your children and adolescents.

PPMD collaborated with TIES Center to bring you a factsheet that will help you ask questions to your child’s school team to support your child’s behaviors at home during distance learning.

Its Back to School Time! During this time of COVID when so many parents are figuring out and doing a great job around virtual learning, others are also thinking about transition. Transition planning is as important as reading and math. It is important for you, as the family of a student with a disability, to actively participate and partner in the transition planning process. In this video, we will provide you with Five helpful tips for developing a strong transition plan that will help your student with disabilities achieve their greatest potential. For questions about transition please contact The Parents’ Place of Maryland at 1-800-394-5694.

This checklist can be used to help you decide if you are comfortable with your child returning to school
in-person. Discuss your concerns with your child’s health care provider and school team.

The Council for Exceptional Children released an article about considerations for special educators and children as school reopens during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read this article to learn what your family and your child’s school team should consider before school begins this fall.

​​​​​​​With the start of a new school year, a lot needs to happen so that students can learn and thrive without raising the risk of spreading COVID-19. Read this article to learn what your child’s school can do to ensure children will be safe.

The American Academy of Pediatrics issued a guidance for school re-entry during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read it here to learn what school re-entry policies should consider before re-opening.

The CDC created this resource for families to use before their children go back to school. Back to school planning will look different this year than it has in previous years. Your school will have new policies in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19. You may also be starting the school year with virtual learning components. Whatever the situation, these checklists are intended to help parents, guardians, and caregivers, plan and prepare for the upcoming school year.

The CDC developed this tool to help parents, caregivers, and guardians weigh the risks and benefits of available educational options to help them make decisions about sending their child back to school.

This guide has practical strategies that work for helping children of all ages who may be struggling with an at-home learning task. Families may find these strategies useful when helping their children complete various reading, math, and/or behavioral tasks at home.

Watch our webinar to learn how to prioritize your family’s nutrition in unprecedented times. Featuring a licensed dietician.

On July 24^th, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services renewed the federal public health emergency (PHE) as a result of the continued consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic.  The Maryland Department of Health issued an official statement that all COVID-19 related flexibilities implemented by the Department remain in place, including the ability to offer telehealth services delivered using audio-only or non-HIPAA compliant technology. View the official statement below.

Read this to learn why clip charts are inconsistent with a PBIS approach and can be harmful. This document also describes alternative strategies that are more likely to improve student behavior while promoting a safe, positive classroom.

View the Maryland State Department of Education’s Technical Assistance Bulletin on Home and Hospital Teaching. This document answers frequently asked questions, that you may have, about about Home and Hospital Teaching.

The Maryland Department of Health, Developmental Disabilities Administration, and the Maryland State Department of Education have continued funding for services covered by its waiver for individuals who are 22 years of age or older during COVID-19.

This means that Autism Waiver participants, who would have otherwise been disenrolled, can remain on the Autism Waiver after June 30th. Please see the attachments for more information.

Watch this webinar to learn how to track your child’s progress while engaging in virtual learning from home.

IEP meetings will still be held despite not being able to meet in person. Read these tips on how to prepare and take part in a virtual IEP meeting.

Your phone carrier may allow you to set up a mobile hotspot through your smartphone at a lower cost to help with your internet needs during COVID-19. Use this guide to help set up your mobile hotspot on your android or iPhone.

PPMD has compiled lists of transition activities to be used by educators and families. These lists include activities related to employment, postsecondary education, independent living, and activities specific for educators. Use these lists to find activities to support your transition aged youth.

The Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council, Department of Disabilities, Department of Health, and Maryland ABLE created a factsheet answering questions about the COVID-19 Stimulus Payment and provide information about ABLE accounts. Use this factsheet to help answer the questions you have had about the COVID-19 Stimulus Payment.

DOCUMENTACIÓN DE PROGRESO y LOS ACTUALES NIVELES DE DESEMPEÑO

Use this brochure provided by the Department of Labor to learn about youth employment services and programs in your area.

The National Military Family Association has created a hub of information for military families regarding COVID-19. This website is updated regularly.

The following fact sheet was adapted from the webinar, “A Rare Response: Addressing the COVID-19 Pandemic” sponsored by National Organization for Rare Diseases (NORD) on March 31, 2020

For a military family, the need for a financial resource can pop up when least expected. Use this resource to learn about direct services, financial support, or information and referral.

PPMD has created a factsheet with helpful hints for getting your child to wear a face mask.

The Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities at the Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School created these resources for parents to support their children in wearing face masks.

Got Transition and its National Family Health Care Transition Advisory Group developed a new toolkit for families to use during the transition from pediatric to adult health care. It includes a set of tools for youth and parents/caregivers to use to better prepare for the transition to adult care.

Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council has created a resource to support families engage in virtual meetings. View this resource here in English and Spanish.

Use this resource to learn tips for distance learning if you have young children.

On May 12^th, The Maryland Department of Health issued guidance on Transitioning Youth Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

On May 11^th, the Maryland Department of Disabilities and Department of Health issued joint departmental guidance on access to supports for patients with disabilities in hospital settings during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Watch this PPMD webinar to learn about telehealth during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Use these companion resources to view guides and other information about telehealth.

Watch this PPMD webinar for helpful tips about taking care of yourself during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Use these companion tip sheets and resources.

Watch this PPMD webinar for helpful resources on what you need to know about how the COVID-19 Pandemic and School Closures affect your child’s education and special education services on PPMD’s YouTube channel, linked below in the resource section. Use these companion tip sheets and resources.

Some schools are using Dreambox Learning – find out what you need to know about this tool.

Your children are likely being asked to access learning via Google Classroom.  Here’s a great resource (in parent friendly language!)

PPMD has created three new resource pages to help parents prepare their children to participate effectively for Zoom classes and Tele-therapy. The resource pages focus on how to use Zoom, Zoom etiquette, and preparing for a virtual meeting.

The Maryland Department of Health has expanded the definition of a telehealth originating site to include a participant’s home or any other secure location as approved by the participant and the provider for purpose of delivery of Medicaid-covered services. This expansion applies to services delivered to a Medicaid participant via fee-for-service or through a HealthChoice Managed Care Organization (“MCO”).

Families on MD DDA – make sure you check out the MD DDA COVID-19 Updates.  The DDA Waivers Appendix K was submitted to the federal Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on Friday, and posted on the MD DDA website.  In addition, the DDA COVID-19 Questions and Answers has been updated on this website – check them out!

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced that privacy restrictions on platforms for telehealth have been waived during the COVID-19 Emergency. OCR’s Notice of Enforcement Discretion allowing providers to serve patients where they are through commonly used apps like FaceTime, Skype, and Zoom to provide telehealth remote communications. (Otherwise HIPAA and FERPA rules could have gotten in the way of online delivery of therapy and other health services
).

PPMD links to many Maryland based resources, available in English and Spanish

Update Information on Coronavirus Pandemic in Maryland to include the Maryland Department of Health

The Maryland State Department of Education: closure of all public schools in Maryland for an additional four weeks through April 24, 2020

March 21, 2020 Document: reaffirms the rights of students to receive educational instruction and related services under federal special education law during the COVID-19 pandemic, and they offered additional clarification about how states can creatively serve all students including students with disabilities. 

U.S. Dept of Education-Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) has released this informal guidance a set of questions and answers about the impact of the COVID19 pandemic on federal special education policies supporting school-aged children with disabilities

Wrightslaw just put out a newly published resource to answer questions about IEPs, IEP meetings and evaluations, and additional resources for at home support.

New Coronavirus Social Story from The Autism Educator

Per 2010 Maryland Code: HEALTH OCCUPATIONS–TITLE 12 -PHARMACISTS AND PHARMACIES, Subtitle 5 -Practice of Pharmacy and Operation of Pharmacies, Section 12-506 – Guidelines for unauthorized refills:

Under normal circumstances: A pharmacist can provide one refill of a prescription (not exceeding a 14-day supply) WITHOUT authorization. In this case the pharmacist must notify the authorized prescriber of the refill within 72 hours.

Under a state of emergency: A pharmacist can provide 1 refill not exceeding a 14-day supply. Pharmacist must notify authorized prescriber of the refill within 7 days.

List of Maryland distribution sites for Free Student Meals in both English and Spanish

March 18, 2020: US Department of Education-Office of Civil Rights released a Fact Sheet Addressing the Risk of COVID-19 in Schools While Protecting the Civil Rights of Students

Graphic developed in several languages

This easy to read booklet about the Coronavirus is from SARTAC was written by and for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). It focuses on “need to know” information (not “nice to know” information).

For your children, National Public Radio (NPR) collaborated with experts in social work and mental health to provide this cartoon for kids.

Watch this PPMD webinar with GOT Transition for helpful resources on healthcare transition for your youth on PPMD’s YouTube channel, it includes the exciting new Health Care Transition Readiness Assessment for Students with an IEP!  Use this companion fact sheet for all the helpful links.

Secondary Transition is the process of preparing students for adult life after they leave high school. Transition planning begins in Maryland at age 14 as students explore and discover what they want their post-school goals and outcomes to be through career awareness activities.

Ready to Select an Adult Service Provider for Your Young Adult with Disabilities?

If choosing an adult service provider or agency is part of your youth’s transition from school, you will want to be prepared with questions to ask to help you and your young adult determine which provider or agency is going to be the best suited to support his/her desired employment outcomes.  Here is a list of questions that may be helpful in making this important decision!

CADRE’s IDEA Dispute Resolution Parent Guides inform parents about their dispute resolution rights and options. These Parent Guides now have companion videos. The videos include:  IEP Facilitation, Mediation, Written State Complaints, and Due Process.

The Milestone Moments booklet includes full milestone checklists for all domains of early development. It covers ages 2 months through 5 years and matches the recommended ages for well-child visits. It includes age-appropriate activities that a parent can use at home to engage their child and encourage development.

Created by the Organization for Autism Research, this guide provides information about autism and the transition to adulthood.

You can find resources from the State of Maryland and national groups in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic in our Resource Section

Created by the Organization for Autism Research, this special education guide is designed to give each family the information and tools needed to successfully navigate the education system anywhere in the country.

Created by the Organization for Autism Research, this guide is a resource for military families that have children with autism. Their purpose is to give each family the tools and access to information that it needs on its unique life journey through autism.

Created by the Organization for Autism Research, this guide is an autism safety resource that covers a range of topics, including safety network development; prevention and management of wandering and elopement behaviors; relationship, physical, and sexual safety discussions; strategies to address bullying and online threats; and tips on money and workplace safety.

Created by the Organization for Autism Research, this guide made specifically for parents includes information about how to find high-quality information about autism; distinguish between evidence-based and non-research-based information; and interpret and apply research findings to their individual situation and needs.

CDC Tip Sheet for parents of children 0-5 who may have concerns about development.

CDC Tip Sheet for parents of children 0-5 who may have concerns about development.

Baby’s Busy Day is a CDC children’s book that helps parents learn what one-year-old milestones to look for in their baby and provides them with tips on how they can help.

Where is Bear? is a CDC children’s book that teaches parents developmental milestones as they read to their child. It includes milestones for two-year-olds, warning signs of delay, and tips on how parents can support their child’s development.

Amazing Me is a CDC children’s book for ages 2-3 that teaches parents developmental milestones as they read to their child. It includes milestones for three-year-olds, warning signs of delay, and tips on how parents can support their child’s development.

UMARC Videos Showing: Perspectives on Neurodivergent Students’ Transitions from High School to Higher Ed or Other Ventures

Children with disabilities in military families, if qualified, can get benefits from BOTH Medicaid and TRICARE. Learn about the options.

This resource explains ECHO which provides supplemental services and supplies to active duty families* who have a child (or other family member) with disabilities.

This fact sheet informs families about extending services from age 3 until kindergarten, through an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP).

This resource explains Maryland’s 5-Day Rule, a law that enables parents to prepare and participate in their child’s IEP.

This brief fact sheets gives an overview of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, a law banning disability discrimination in public schools.

Si desea denunciar un incidente de presunto de abuso, acoso e intimidación, este es el formulario que debes devuélvar al Director de la escuela del estudiante.

Infórmese sobre las opciones de la tecnología de asistencia (TA) que puden mejorar la independencia de personas con discapacidades.

This toolkit offers resources for Title V programs and public health professionals to ensure that adolescents with or without special health care needs receive the services necessary to transition to adult health care.

This factsheet includes questions to consider when you are beginning to plan for healthcare transition into adulthood.

Get tips on positive behavioral support which involves strategically giving positive encouragement for desired behavior.

Parents are equal members of the IEP team. Finding ways to effectively advocate for your child during IEP meetings can be difficult. These tips will help prepare you for your next meeting.

Looking for a healthcare provider for transition to adulthood is vital.  This factsheet offers key questions to consider, and to ask, while on your search.

Here’s a great article from Exceptional Parent magazine on picking a summer camp! “Every child with a disability has different needs, even those with the same diagnosis. Families may be at a loss to find summer activities for their children with special needs.”

IEP meetings can be overwhelming with lots of moving parts but it is important that families contribute and partner in the meeting. This checklist has some tips to help families more fully participate in their child’s IEP meeting.

This notice includes an explanation of parental rights for children receiving services through an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) or an Individualized Education Program (IEP).

The nurse can be a vital member of the IEP team. This short video explains their role in the development of the IEP.

This document, developed by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), details the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process.

This document,  developed by the Maryland State Department of Education,  details the Early Intervention Process for the state.

This PPMD webinar, featuring Stephen Elville, covered basic estate planning, universal concepts about leaving assets and financial and tax planning aspects of special needs planning.

In this PPMD webinar, Eric Jorgensen dicussed ABLE accounts and Special Needs Trusts and how they can work together as well as First & Third Party Trusts.

In this PPMD webinar, guest speaker Stephen Elville discussed benefits and drawbacks of guardianship, alternatives to guardianship and the questions every family should ask before making the decision to pursue guardianship.

ABLE accounts allow individuals who receive benefits to maintain those benefits while building assets in a tax advantaged account. This session will provide an overview of the ABLE Act, a look at the features and specifications of the Maryland ABLE plan, information on treatment of account funds, and an opportunity for questions and answers.

In this PPMD webinar, guest speaker Mr. Stephen Elville discussed Special Needs Trusts and ABLE Accounts, the benefits and drawbacks of both and what are the questions every family should ask before opening these accounts.

This guide describes the range of home and community-based services available through Medicaid and can help consumers, families, and health care professionals make informed decisions about long-term care services.

Morgan Whitlatch joined us for this PPMD webinar to discuss practical alternatives to guardianship particularly supported decision-making,  a way people can make their own decisions and stay in charge of their lives, while receiving any help they need to do so.

This website houses materials for parents of children who are deaf or hard of hearing and aims to foster a community of learning.

Learn American Sign Language at your own pace with a fun online course taught by ASL professionals.

This cooperative ensures that federally-funded EHDI programs use research-based concepts that support families and caregivers of deaf or hard of hearing babies and young children.

Informs the education community of research findings,  to present recommendations that educators and parents can use when addressing the multifaceted challenges of educating deaf and hard of hearing children.

Information and resources for families and professionals to meet the needs of children who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Hands & Voices is a non-profit, parent-driven organization dedicated to supporting families of children who are deaf or hard of hearing.

The Described and Captioned Media Program provides premium media designed for students with disabilities and leads as a resource for families and teachers, supported by the Department of Education

The NAD is the nation’s premier civil rights organization of, by, and for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals in the United States of America.

AG Bell is working globally to ensure that people who are deaf and hard of hearing can hear and speak. They provide support, information, resources and more to help guide you on your journey.

The American Society for Deaf Children (ASDC) is a national organization that is committed to empowering diverse families with deaf or hard of hearing children and youth by embracing full access to language-rich environments through mentoring, advocacy, resources, and collaborative networks.

A private, nonprofit organization located in Baltimore City, The Hearing and Speech Agency leads the way as a direct service provider, information resource center, and advocate for people of all ages and incomes who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have speech-language disabilities.

The Maryland School for the Deaf is Maryland’s school for the Deaf and hard of hearing students.

Promotes the general welfare of Deaf and hard of hearing individuals in Maryland by addressing policy gaps, providing expertise related to Deaf and hard of hearing issues, and facilitating the ability to access resources and services.

This document contains information to help you understand your child’s rights, your rights and responsibilities, and the school’s responsibilities to meet the needs of your child. It also contains a description of the Child Find process, information about evaluation and eligibility, and information about the IEP process.

This document will answer questions about the OCR complaint process. It includes how to file a complaint and what to include.

Here you will find a consent form needed for when you file an OCR complaint against a school or other educational program.

This document has instructions on how to complete a bullying, harassment, or intimidation form.

Use this form to report an incident of alleged bullying harassment, or intimidation of a student.

This is the form that is used by school personnel when investigating reported incidents of bullying.

This resource contains information about bullying of children with disabilities as well as what you can do if you think your child is being bullied.

This link will take you to an online form that can tell you if the Office of Civil Rights can help you with a complaint against a school, college, or education program, This website also provides alternative resources if you find an OCR complaint is not the best option.

This document includes general information about Section 504 and IDEA as well as answers to some questions about this topic.

In this document you will find information on how to make sure your child has a supportive health care team that meets your child’s needs. It also covers how to make improvements by talking to your child’s doctor.

Provided here is a list of questions to ask when contacting your insurance company about therapy/habilitative services for your child.

Here you will find detailed information about different therapy options and the steps you can take if your insurance company does not cover these services.

Here you will find prescription assistance programs listed that may help with paying for medications. Links are provided with a short description of how to apply for each program specifically.

In this document you will find a list affordable dental care services organized by county for Maryland.

This link will take you to the Maryland Health Connection website.

This chart contains healthcare options for children with special needs in Maryland.

Here find an emergency information form that you can complete for your child in preparation for a disaster or emergency.

In this document find tips on what you can do to prepare for an emergency or disaster as well as how to create an emergency plan for your child with special needs.

Maryland Relay provides assistive telecommunications equipment to qualified Marylanders.

This document shares helpful tips for students with special needs for preparing for transition into college.

This document provides a list of the Maryland high school diploma requirements.

This guide has information about transition planning, including education/work opportunities and programs, transition services and requirements, and real life examples. It also includes an overview of the transition process and a list of key terms.

In this document you will find a guide to the transition process that will help you better plan for transition. It includes information about education and work opportunities and programs, transition services and requirements, and real life examples. It also includes an overview of the process and a list of key terms.

This form can be used to record duration, frequency, and other details about your child’s seizures that can help in treatment.

This form helps in creating an action plan for your child with epilepsy which explains their condition and steps to follow when a seizure occurs.

This resource informs about warning signs that your child has been the victim of bullying. Find helpful information on what to do if you think your child is being bullied and what actions you can take to ensure your child’s safety.

This form contains a sample list of accommodations and services that a student with epilepsy may require while they are at school.

Here you will find form to complete your own seizure action plan for your child with epilepsy.

In this epilepsy care book you will find important forms to ensure you have your child’s medical needs recorded.

This document provides detailed steps for parents if your child is being bullied including who to contact, how to report it, and how you can improve your child’s safety to prevent further bullying.

This document addresses school behavior. It includes information about behavior assessments, the intervention process and the disciplinary requirements for suspension, detentions, etc. according to the Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

This document includes the CDC developmental milestones in a map format.

This CDC checklist includes developmental milestones a child should reach between the ages of 2 months old and 5 years old.

This fact sheet contains information about developmental delays, screening and assessments.