Have you ever had that feeling in your gut that something just isn’t quite right with your what is happening at your child's school? 

They’re in the general education classroom, which sounds great on paper, right? 

But for some reason, it still feels like they’re on the sidelines—like they’re there, but not really part of the group.

(Click on blue hyperlinks throughout the newsletter for 1 - 2 minute video clips.)
 

As an advocate, I often hear parents describe what’s happening at their child’s school, and it usually comes down to what I call the Illusion of Inclusion.
 

On paper, it looks like your child is included because the IEP shows they’re spending time in the classroom. 

But when you dig a little deeper, you realize that your child isn’t actually engaged or participating in what’s happening around them. 

True inclusion goes beyond just being physically present—it’s about your child feeling connected, involved, and genuinely part of the learning community.

This topic was at the heart of our recent live show, The Illusion of Inclusion.
(Click on blue hyperlinks throughout the newsletter for 1 - 2 minute video clips.)

Key Takeaways from the Show:

Spotting Your Child’s Strengths: We talked about how to identify those moments when your child is fully engaged and truly participating in their education. Recognizing these moments allows you to help them build on these successes and keep the positive momentum going.

Unmasking the Illusion: We examined areas where your child might be “included” in name only—where they’re physically there but not really part of the action. Identifying these gaps is crucial for advocating for the meaningful inclusion your child deserves.

Maintaining Open Communication: We discussed how to keep the conversation flowing between you, your child, and their teachers. When everyone is communicating regularly, it’s easier to celebrate the successes and address challenges early on, ensuring your child has the support they need to truly belong and learn beside their classmates.

Four Practical Tips for Parents:

1.Observe and Ask Questions: 
(Click on blue hyperlinks throughout the newsletter for 1 - 2 minute video clips.)

Don’t just take inclusion at face value—if your schedule allows you to observe your child’s day that is the best way to get a picture of what is happening. 

An alternative to observing at school is to sit down with the general education and special education teachers to walk through your child's daily schedule and ask specific questions about what your child is doing during each part of the day.  

Understanding the details of your child’s day helps you identify whether they’re truly included or merely present.
 

2. Connect the Dots Between Strengths and Accommodations: Make sure your child’s IEP connects their strengths to appropriate accommodations. This ensures that their unique abilities are being leveraged to support their learning, rather than just listing them on paper.

3. Reintroduce the ‘About Me’ Profile: (Click on blue hyperlink a for 1 - 2 minute video clip)

Don’t just share this at the start of the school year—bring it up throughout the year to keep teachers and staff in the loop about your child’s strengths, interests, and how they learn best. 

If you only share the 'About Me' profile in the fall, you’re missing out on chances to remind teachers what makes your child unique and how the staff can offer the right kind of support all year long.

4. Focus on Natural Proportions: 
If around 12% of students at your school have disabilities, then the same should be true in each classroom. Keeping this balance helps prevent clusters of students on IEPs from being grouped together in certain classes.

Now that you've seen some video clips (the blue hyperlinks) from our recent video you may be wondering...
 

Why You Should Watch the Replay:

• Empowerment Through Knowledge: Learn specific strategies to advocate for your child’s true inclusion in school.
• Real-life Examples: Hear from other parents about their experiences with the illusion of inclusion and how they tackled these challenges.
• Interactive Discussion: Gain insights from the community on how to improve inclusion practices at your child’s school.  
• Catch the replay by clicking on the video below.

I want to share this FREE eBook from Inclusion Press

May your child be connected with others, have choices, actively learn, and be truly valued!

P.S. One of our viewers won the give-away last week!  Would you like your own powerful shirt to wear? Click here.
It's perfect for your next IEP meeting!
 

Wear this message proudly and remind everyone that inclusion is not just about being present; it's about being woven into the very fabric of the community.