goals and strategies

[Jen]

Just sharing a very quick thought or two, as my mind is returning to thoughts of school (2 weeks and counting- can it be so soon???).
First of all, keep your actual goals meaningful (functional) and reasonable. I have worked in an inclusive preschool for the past 3+ years and sometimes those goal sheets that come in are so overwhelming- with tons of unreasonable goals. The feelings of 'where do we start?' or 'the child needs fewer, simpler goals- this is too much' can paralyze a child's team.  "Goal" means keeping data- read 'PAPERWORK"- While it is important to have goals and to keep data- making it meaningful is better for your child and more productive for the professional as well. Showing concern and appreciation of their time with your child can go a long way towards a spirit of cooperation. With my own kids on the spectrum, I want a few good, and I repeat- FUNCTIONAL- goals- but then on the strategies page- well, let me correct that to pageS- that's where the long list is. I want there to be options written up for working with my child and available to the spec ed coordinator and the reg ed teacher. My kids' goals tend to be centered on organization (ugh!) and social cognition- the 'little stuff' they need can usually be catagorized somewhere under those so they come up more specifically in the strategies. I hope that makes sense. I just feel strongly that to build a sense of teamwork, you can't overwhelm anyone (or at least try not to) and that's exactly what can happen w/ an IEP that is over packed.