NESCA

NESCA had the pleasure of welcoming Alison Burns, Ph.D. as a pediatric neuropsychologist several months ago. Learn more about Dr. Burns and her specialty areas in today's blog. We are so thankful to have her on board at NESCA! #PediatricNeuropsychology #ADHD #Concussion #WorkLifeBalance https://lnkd.in/e6UQYxxM

For students with IEPs, high school graduation planning is about more than meeting local requirements. It’s about ensuring they’ve received a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) that includes individualized transition services tailored to their needs and goals. ?? Each year, the IEP team—including parents, students, and educators—should: - Explicitly discuss progress toward measurable postsecondary goals. - Review whether the student's IEP provides the instruction, community experiences, and transition services needed for success after high school. - Confirm or adjust the anticipated graduation date recorded in the IEP. Transition planning must be individualized, proactive, and ongoing. Every student’s journey is unique, and their transition plan should reflect their strengths, challenges, and long-term aspirations. Parents can support this process by ensuring these conversations happen and advocating for services that align with their child’s goals. This careful planning reduces uncertainty about graduation readiness and sets the stage for meaningful opportunities after high school. Let’s work together to foster collaboration, clear communication, and explicit, measurable postsecondary expectations to support smooth transitions for students. Start the conversation today to help every student achieve their vision for the future. #TransitionPlanning #IEPMeetings #SpecialEducation #GraduationGoals #TransitionAssessment #TransitionServices #Parenting #IEP

Helping students craft their vision for the future is one of the most important parts of transition planning. Our job isn’t to dictate their goals—it’s to give them the skills to build their own realistic vision that plays to their strengths and accounts for their needs. Goals give students direction and purpose, and the process of setting goals teaches them foundational skills like self-awareness, adaptability, and communication. Even if their goals change over time, the skills they gain will serve them for life. Let’s help students dream big, plan smart, and take ownership of their journey! #TransitionPlanning #StudentSuccess #SpecialEducation #FutureReady #LifeSkills #IEPGoals #GoalSetting #ParentingTeens #EmpoweringStudents #Adulthood #SelfAwareness #EducationMatters #StudentSupport

As a transition specialist, I spend a lot of time thinking about this tricky balance we all face—how to protect the students we care about, who have often needed our advocacy and support, while still giving them the chance to take risks, make mistakes, and learn from those experiences. It’s hard, right? On one hand, there’s an incredible instinct to keep them safe, but on the other, we know they can’t grow or build independence without stepping out of their comfort zone. More importantly, they can’t build skills needed for transition—like resilience, coping, or problem-solving—if we don’t afford them the dignity of taking risks. I’ve seen this play out so many times. Maybe it’s letting a teenager navigate public transportation for the first time, knowing they might get lost but also knowing they’ll feel so proud when they figure it out. It’s letting a student apply for a job or attend an interview alone, knowing they might not get it, because experiencing rejection is part of learning how to persevere and eventually land the right job. Or it’s encouraging a student to try a new class or activity, even though they might fail, because the process of trying is where they’ll learn. It’s not about fully throwing caution to the wind but finding that middle ground—calculated risk-taking, supporting without overprotecting, guiding without taking over. How do you manage this? When do you step back, even when it’s hard? #DignityOfRisk #DutyOfCare #ParentingTeens #SpecialEducation #LifeSkills #SelfDetermination #TransitionPlanning #TransitionAssessment #TransitionServices

Mental health challenges often lead students to take a leave of absence, but how can we ensure that the root causes of their struggles are addressed? I recently shared a post about the mental health challenges faced by college students and the potential benefits of taking a leave of absence. But often, as my colleague Carly (Edelstein) Loureiro, LICSW, points out, we need to dig deeper to uncover the underlying issues. Are symptoms of depression and anxiety masking executive function (EF) deficits, or are EF challenges contributing to declining mental health? Carly shares powerful examples: ? Anxiety, stemming from past bullying, may prevent a student from seeking help in class, which exacerbates struggles with initiating and completing assignments. ? A students EF challenges due to ADHD may lead to missed deadlines and mounting stress, eventually impacting self-esteem and causing symptoms of depression. Carly explains why identifying the root cause of a student’s difficulties is essential for developing the right plan. Sometimes, therapy needs to take priority before EF coaching begins; in other cases, building EF skills can help reduce the mental health strain. ?? Read Carly’s full NESCA post: https://lnkd.in/e6XHUUu3 ?? Let’s continue the conversation—when working with students on a leave of absence, how do you assess and address the underlying issues driving their challenges? #MentalHealth #ExecutiveFunction #StudentSuccess #EducationMatters #ParentingTeens #CopingSkills #CollegeTransition #TransitionPlanning

Is inclusion enough? That is the question posed in today's blog by NESCA's Director of Consultation & Psychoeducational Services Dot Lucci, M.Ed., CAGS. Is inclusion the same as belonging? What does it mean to be included or to actually belong? Dot explores these questions and more. Check it out! #belonging #inclusion #disabilities

College students are facing record levels of mental health challenges, with many considering or taking a leave of absence. But what comes next? In my NESCA blog, I outline actionable tips for students and families to use this time wisely: - Get Treatment: Explore therapies like CBT or DBT to build essential coping skills or consider medication adjustments with a prescriber. - Get Exercise: Build routines with even small steps like daily walks or fitness videos to improve mental and physical well-being. - Get a Job: Paid or volunteer work can boost confidence, provide social connections, and help students build skills for future success. - Take Classes: Staying academically active—through community colleges or online courses—can keep skills sharp and rebuild confidence. - Work with a Coach: Address underlying challenges like executive functioning or social skills to pave the way for a smoother return to school. This post is for anyone supporting a college student who’s struggling. Discover more ways to help them rebuild and move forward: https://lnkd.in/e3dNV84r ?? Let’s keep the conversation going—what strategies have you found helpful for supporting students during a college leave of absence? #MentalHealth #CollegeStudents #ParentingTeens #LeaveOfAbsence #CollegeLife #SelfCare #TransitionPlanning #TransitionAssessment #TransitionServices

If you work with students with disabilities, you’ve probably heard the term transition assessment. For students on IEPs, transition assessment is the cornerstone of the entire transition planning process, guiding them toward meaningful goals and successful futures. By focusing on a student’s unique strengths, interests, and needs, transition assessment helps us make informed decisions to support their journey into adulthood. Watch the video to learn more! #TransitionAssessment #TransitionPlanning #SpecialEducation #IEP #StudentSuccess #FutureReady #PostSecondaryGoals #Education #LifeAfterHighSchool #Adulthood #ParentingTeens #CareerReady #LinkedInEducation

As adults who work tirelessly to support students, sometimes we can have difficulty allowing them to take the lead. But this is actually the most important thing we can do. If you are having a hard time picturing what a student-led IEP process looks like--or how to help families, educators, or related professionals see how students of all ages and abilities can actively participate in their own IEP process--here are some fantastic video resources to guide and inspire: ?? I’m Determined offers a module with youth-led videos that illustrate how students can take an active role in shaping their educational journey: I’m Determined Module: https://lnkd.in/eVqqNNn2 ?? Michaela Smith, an expert working with students with sensory impairments, shares insights on how students—including those with deaf-blindness—can lead parts of their IEP meetings: https://lnkd.in/e9_fuEwF ?? NextSteps New Hampshire offers a transition videos collection that includes an inspiring clip from the film Garret Shows: I’m in Charge showing a student with disabilities taking control of his own IEP meeting: https://lnkd.in/eg2XR5Qn ?? Mrs. D’s Corner introduces various tools to support students with diverse communication needs in taking part in the IEP process: https://lnkd.in/eTkarQe8 These resources are powerful examples of how student-led IEP meetings can be both possible and impactful! Let's continue to make the IEP process inclusive and empowering for students of all ability levels. #StudentLedIEP #SpecialEducation #Empowerment #Inclusion #IEPProcess #TransitionPlanning #TransitionServices #TransitionAssessment #DisabilityAdvocacy

Are you supporting a student with disabilities in Massachusetts? The purpose of special education goes beyond academic access; it’s about preparing students for life after high school—including independent living, college, training, and employment. In Massachusetts, the recent updates to the MA DESE IEP process place even greater emphasis on student involvement in transition planning. In my recent NESCA webinar, I covered essential topics for transition planning, including: - Setting vision and postsecondary goals - Transition assessment basics and requirements - Building critical skills in middle and high school - Effective elements of a strong IEP transition plan - Changes in the MA DESE IEP related to transition planning Whether you're a parent, educator, or related professional, understanding these concepts is key to empowering students to lead fulfilling lives. Watch the webinar to gain insights into helping students make a successful transition from school to adulthood. ?? Link to Video: https://lnkd.in/eqgmjAqB #SpecialEducation #TransitionPlanning #IEP #Massachusetts #PostSecondarySuccess #TransitionAssessment #TransitionServices