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Perspectives For Parents:
Advice & Support from Parents & Caregivers
5 Tips to Prepare For Your IEP Meeting
February 9, 2018
Have you recently started the special education process? Do you have a meeting with the school coming up? We’ve compiled tips on how to stay organized, with some added Parent Pointers from ELI’s Julie McIsaac. (You can find the pointers in italics after each section!) Create an IEP binderWherever you are in the process,…
Read moreRecent Happenings in Disability News: What You Need to Know.
December 13, 2017
Having a hard time staying on top of it all? Take a look at these three highlights to catch up on the past few weeks: 1. U.S. Department of Education (ED) releases document about IEPs and progressRemember the Endrew F. case I wrote about here? We now have more information about how the federal…
Read moreAsk the Attorney: What is the RISE Act and How Can It Help My College-Aged Student?
December 5, 2017
The Respond, Innovate, Succeed Empower (“RISE”) Act is a piece of legislation that, if it becomes law, will make college more accessible for students with disabilities, especially those who have learning and attention issues such as dyslexia or ADHD.Often, students with disabilities who receive support from their local school districts are forced to undergo…
Read moreAsk the Attorney: What Happens to My Child’s Special Education Rights in a Private School?
November 11, 2017
I’m glad you brought this up. There are several layers to this question in terms of both your rights and your child’s rights under the special education law called the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The BasicsLet’s start with the fundamentals. Overall, there are two categories of schools: public and non-public. A public…
Read moreAsk the Attorney: Five Rights Parents of Children with Disabilities Need to Know
November 10, 2017
I’ve heard I have some rights as a parent who has a child with disabilities, in addition to my child’s rights. Can you tell me about these parental rights?The federal law which mandates all children with disabilities receive a free and appropriate education (FAPE) also includes a host of rights for you – the…
Read moreMy Child Has an IEP, What Are Next Steps?
November 1, 2017
Now that you have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) for your child, which puts services and supports in place to help meet their needs in the classroom, what happens next? Once signed, your child's IEP becomes a legal contract between you and the school. And it's time to take next steps. So, what are the next steps?Your child's…
Read moreShared Expectations: How to Identify Measurable IEP Goals
November 1, 2017
My child is complex. I don’t mean only in terms of his physical or cognitive function. I mean in terms of his humanity. He is complex because he is a human and we are complex. We have moods, motivations and preferences that guide our behavior. We have family, friends, and community that affect our development.…
Read morePreparing a Vision and Goals for Your Child’s IEP
October 3, 2017
Now that you've determined your child qualifies for special education services, first and foremost pat yourself on the back! You've taken a huge step toward getting the services and support your child needs in the classroom, and that is no small task! You're opening doors to his or her future success in school and that is awesome.…
Read moreWhen and How to Start Thinking About an IEP
October 3, 2017
Do you remember the first time you went in for a screening or assessment? You leave with notes and pamphlets, trying to remember the details but recalling only a few words? Do you remember trying to make sense of the jargon, knowing you had so much to learn, so much to do? But you need to…
Read moreAsk the Attorney: What Special Education Placements are Available for My Child?
September 20, 2017
There is a continuum of placement options available for your child. To recap, the spirit of the IDEA law is that the school places your child in the least restrictive environment (LRE), such as a classroom alongside children who do not have disabilities.Take a look at this graphic for an idea of your options,…
Read moreAsk the Attorney: How Do I Know if My Child is Really in the Least Restrictive Environment?
September 20, 2017
The Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) provision of law requires that students with disabilities receive their education alongside students without disabilities “to the maximum extent appropriate,” which is somewhat vague. This means that a student’s default placement should be in the general education classroom, often with various supports and services. Students should only be removed…
Read moreAsk the Attorney: How Can I Tell If My Child is Making Progress if He is Still Reading Below Grade Level?
August 24, 2017
The IEP team will measure your child’s progress based on whether he meets the goals in that year’s IEP. That said, it is important to make sure those goals are measurable. You will often see phrases like, “The student must read 10 words correctly in 2 of 3 trials with 80% accuracy.” It’s not…
Read more6 College Scholarships for Students with Learning Disabilities
February 28, 2017
For many families, creating a college plan for a child with disabilities is a challenging process. Finding the right school that addresses your child's specific needs requires a great deal of research. The added layer of costs for higher education makes for a more stressful experience. However, these 6 college scholarships can help bring financial…
Read moreHow to Communicate Your Child’s Needs In An Inclusion Classroom
November 21, 2016
Entering an inclusion classroom can feel stressful. You may be wondering how to communicate with your child's peers and their parents about your child's needs. Here are five (or six) actionable steps you can take to communicate effectively with your child's class. STEP 1: ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR FEARSWhen my son entered kindergarten, I felt nervous.…
Read moreRomper’s “11 Children’s Books to Understand Learning Disabilities”
September 12, 2016
Understanding diversity can be a tough concept for kids, especially if they have not met many other kids that are different. Romper.com, a news and motherhood site, recently shared their list of "11 Children's Books That Help Kids Understand Learning Disabilities". Reading these books with your children - whether they have a disability or not - can…
Read moreRethink Discipline: Behavioral Supports for Students with Disabilities
August 9, 2016
With another school year right around the corner, the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) recently put out advice to help schools make sure they’re giving students with disabilities the behavioral supports they need.The guidelines remind everyone that under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), schools should try to keep a student in the classroom…
Read moreSchool’s Out: Assessing This Year’s IEP
June 29, 2016
Another school year is behind you. You’ve been scrambling to attend end-of-the-year activities. Your child is bursting at the seams to be done with school. Now, school’s out and summer’s here!With all the excitement of summer vacation, you can quickly get too busy to set aside time and reflect on the school year gone…
Read moreThinking about Special Education: Getting a Referral for Evaluation
February 23, 2016
You feel your child is struggling in school. You’ve tried to ask your child about school, but they only get upset. When you talk to your child’s teacher about his or her progress, they agree with you that your child is having a hard time in class. Your child’s teacher has suggested that you think…
Read moreThe ABC’s of IEP’s: Tips for your First IEP Meeting
February 4, 2016
An IEP, which stands for Individualized Education Program, is an agreement between you and your child’s school. This plan serves as an outline of what services your child needs in order to be successful in school. It’s a road map for your child’s education. As an important part of the team, you help create your…
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