What is the difference betweeen a para and an aide and how do you go about getting one, or proving your child needs one to get an appropriate education??

Thanks for all the input guys.

Basically, different states have different words for a 1:1 in a classroom. Paraeducator is one of those words - so is aide.

TO get one here in the state of Maine you have to prove two things - 1) The child can benefit in some way from being in the classroom - exclusion is not the best policy for that child. 2) He or she will not benefit EDUCATIONALLY without assistance.

Of course where I work mostly with preschool children - things like social learning can be included in that. I have noticed from the transition meetings I have been to - that social is only a little important - education is all.

So when preparing for the meeting, I would put the words education and learning firmly in your mind. In the meeting use such phrases as:
-He has grown to the point where he learn well in a group if he has some help to keep him focused on the correct material.
-He imitates other children so it is important that the children he imitates when learning are those that are able to follow the instructions and complete the work correctly.
etc......

Here in Ca a one on one aid is very hard to receive. The whole IEP team has to agree and see the reason why the student needs one. When my son was hurt at school right away they wanted with out me asking to give me one. I asked will this basically be a "body" guard or actually help with his instruction too? I was also told by the director that the aid would be reviewed quartly. I have pretty much only sceen one on one aids in the classroom for students that have medical needs or would have been in my sons case protection needs. I think they 1st don't want to spare the expense, becasue onece they do for one they have have to do for all. They also feel it can hinder a child to have a shadow around the student al all times.

Here in Ca a one on one aid is very hard to receive. The whole IEP team has to agree and see the reason why the student needs one. When my son was hurt at school right away they wanted with out me asking to give me one. I asked will this basically be a "body" guard or actually help with his instruction too? I was also told by the director that the aid would be reviewed quartly. I have pretty much only sceen one on one aids in the classroom for students that have medical needs or would have been in my sons case protection needs. I think they 1st don't want to spare the expense, becasue onece they do for one they have have to do for all. They also feel it can hinder a child to have a shadow around the student al all times.

In our district there is a difference between a one on one paraeducator (a term they prefer in this state), and a classroom educator. I have had both types in the past. If your child requires one on one assistance, which is indicated by the IEP, then that teacher's sole responsibility for that child. I have had children with needs that required that paraeducator to be with them at all times, and I would not imagine asking them to releive me for a break unless that child were out of the room because of absence, or support services out of the classroom.

It would be helpful if you were to have documentation from his pre-k program indicating the need for a paraeducator. Eveno, if you believe he needs one, and they decline, you might want to ask them to put their decision is writing, and have the documentation sent to you, as well as placed in his file.

This, of course, is done respectfully, but it is always good to have something like that in writing. Sometimes, it may even change an outcome.

Actually I am trying to learn how to get it put into the IEP but don't know how. For next year I would like him to go to mainstream kindergarden but there is no way he could function without an aide to ensure safety, help him stay focused to participate in class, help initiate social interaction, help with tolieting, feeding and on and on. I know he would do well with a little guidance and prompting.

I checked with the School Board locally and in NC, and the job titles are interchangable. When a job opening is posted, it is listed as "Teachers ASsistant" or TEachers Aide. When it goes to legislature or is listed on a legal document, it is called "paraprofessionals".
Anyways, here in VA, you can get a personal assistant after 1st grade or 2nd grade, but usually not before because the preschool and Kindergarten curriculum is mostly all about social interaction for the children.If your child is going to be in inclusive classroom, then wait. I have asked for an assistant and they tell me it is simply not necessary until they get a little older and the aide will help them with meltdowns and such things when they need to be testing for example. I have a friend who is a personal aide for a child in 3rd grade and he is in typical classroom setting, and can stay in the inclusive classroom for most of the day with his peers, except for an occasional outburst or meltdown, and at that point, they take a walk outside.
What I understand is this>> if You get it in the IEP, then the school has to provide you with a personal assistant. NOw remember, that same assistant will help the teacher with the REST of the classroom is she/he is needed at some point. ( give the teacher a bathroom break possibly) The main focus is on your child because that is what they are there for. But if the rest of the class needs her/him, they they help out there when needed.
talk to someone on the school board and the doc that does the eval to see if your child NEEDS one. If he needs one, then it will go into the IEP and then it gets done. I was told the last time that I asked about it that they dont really need one until it gets time for them to be "mature" and gets more work to do in the classroom. ( like 3rd grade) I will talk to the school psychologist on Monday and ask more questions if you have more let me know- I will be happy to ask her for you.