The IDEA law requires that students with disabilities must be taught with their non-disabled peers as much as possible. The closest they can get to being in a typical classroom is called the “least restrictive environment,” or LRE. If extra supports and services will allow your child to make progress in the regular classroom, then that’s what the school must offer. Only if that’s not possible will your child go to a more restrictive setting like a “special needs” classroom. The most restrictive environment is a specialized school or hospital-based setting. More about LRE.