The Lowman Career Transition Center provides instruction to students ages 18-22, with moderate to severe disabilities, who are currently on the Alternate Curriculum. Students are provided with independent living skills and social skills instruction, as well as vocational training through a variety of occupational strands to assist with ensuring that students are prepared and qualified to enter the world of work.

Lowman's program also maximizes integration opportunities within the community by providing students with independent travel training skills through community based instructional activities, which creates a greater sense of independence for our students with disabilities.

1. Find out how your child is doing. Ask the teacher how well your child is doing in class. If your child is not keeping up, especially when it comes to reading, ask what you or the school can do to help. It's important to act early before your child gets too far behind. Also be sure to review your child's report card each time it comes out and attend Parent-Teacher Conferences scheduled by the school.

2. Apply for special services if you think your child may need it. If your child is having problems with learning, ask the school to evaluate your child in his or her strongest language. The teacher might be able to provide accommodations for your child in class. If the school finds out your child has a learning disability, he can receive extra help at no cost.

3. Make sure that your child gets homework done. Due to distance learning, homework is the asynchronous assignments your child must complete after they finish their Zoom meeting with their class. Let your child know that you think education is important and that homework needs to be done each day. You can help your child with homework by setting aside a special place to study, establishing a regular time for homework, and removing distractions such as the television and social phone calls during homework time.

Building a strong family unit is a key component in raising your children to be successful. Being part of a family bond that teaches and models love and respect builds resilient, caring, confident adults. When children feel part of this special family bond they don't want to break it and will respond to positive behavior corrections. Look for ideas in this section to support your efforts to build a positive cohesive family.

Thematic Activities are a great way to build a strong family bond. Working together on a common goal brings a lifetime of memorable moments for you and your family. Try a different activity with your family each day. Click the pictures below for activities to try with the whole family.

The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) is “the largest international professional organization dedicated to improving the educational success of children and youth with disabilities and/or gifts and talents”. Its website, Exceptionalchildren.org, contains resources for parents and families including support for families and students that specifically address the needs that arise at home during this time of distance learning.

One helpful article to read is entitled, “Tips for Families in Supporting Their Children with

Disabilities in Virtual Formats”.

Some key tips include:

1. First, remember that your role is a parental. Your child needs family.

2. Set up a comfortable space in your home for learning. While school closure for COVID-19 is temporary situation, it is likely that it may be extended as needed to keep people safe.

3. Establish a schedule. Schedules are important for you and for your child, especially if you are also working from home. Set clear expectations and goals with your child.

4. Allow breaks. Most children don’t have long attention spans, and this can be even more likely for students with disabilities. Many students’ individual education plans (IEPs) include accommodations for frequent breaks, and this will apply to home learning as well.

5. Limit distractions. Siblings, gaming devices, tablets, television shows, or other distractions are likely to take your child’s attention away from schoolwork.

6. Provide time away from screens. Eye strain, screen glare, and not moving cause fatigue.

7. Be patient - with your child, with the system, with teachers, and with yourself. This is an unusual time, and nobody is perfect. There will be meltdowns, technology challenges, and unanswered questions. But tomorrow is a new day, so stay positive, healthy and focused.

These and other tips are explained in greater detail in the article. To learn more, follow the link to: https://exceptionalchildren.org/sites/default/files/2020-08/ParentVirtualTipsSWDFinal032420.pdf

*Also, please remember that The Division of Special Education has a frequently updated web page as well, in Spanish and English, with supplemental resources to support your child's distance learning experience. https://achieve.lausd.net/Page/16606