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SCHOOL POLICIES

In developing effective educational supports, modifications and accommodations for students with TS, it’s important to encourage acceptance and creative thinking on the part of all educational personnel. 

TSA’s online store offers for sale, a “Catalog of Accommodations” (publication number E125, or downloadable publication number E125DD) that lists typical strategies and techniques.  However, due to the fact that TS is a complex disorder and because environments are different, it is impossible for us to include modifications, supports and accommodations for every student with TS and every situation. 

Most educators have modifications and accommodations that they frequently rely on because, in their experience, these strategies work for the typical student.  But in order to develop strategies that are uniquely suited for students with TS, it is necessary to see the student as having complex and unique symptoms.  This allows people to then "think outside the box" and develop creative and individualized supports.   

All too often when a creative solution is suggested, someone on the education team states ‘this is not the policy of the school’.  This is a common response when attempting to develop the unique and creative solutions that are often necessary when situations involve students with TS.   

Experience has shown that when this occurs, a parent or someone on the team should ask to see this policy in writing. Frequently, there is no policy regarding this specific issue and the statement was made as an honest mistake.  If a school policy is produced, it should be asked what state or federal regulation this policy is based on and again that you would like to see this in writing.   

Policies are just that – ‘school policies’.  There is a saying among advocates that "a policy is just how it has been done up to this moment in time".  In reality, policies can be modified in order to meet the unique needs of any student.  As an example, it is a policy in most schools that students are not allowed to use the school elevator. However, if a student has a broken leg or uses a wheelchair, the policy is modified in order to meet this student's individual needs.  Many schools have a policy of not allowing gum chewing during school; however, chewing gum and/or hard candy frequently assist a student with TS and/or ADD in their ability to remain focused on the task at hand.  It can be written on an IEP that the student is allowed to chew gum or hard candy to assist with concentration.

Remember, often school policies are not based on state or federal laws and can be modified to meet the unique needs of a student with TS.  (Federal Regulations state:  Sec. 300.39(a)(1) Special education means specially designed instruction, at no cost to the parents, to meet the unique needs of a child with a disability... )

For additional general special education resources visit the IDEA Practices Website: www.ideapractices.org and www.fape.org