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Perspectives For Parents:
Advice & Support from Parents & Caregivers
Checking the Boxes: Diagnosis and Belonging
January 24, 2018
During a past focus group for Exceptional Lives, we received the following feedback: “If I see a particular diagnosis mentioned, or I don’t see my child’s diagnosis, I assume it’s not for me.” This makes perfect sense. As parents and caregivers, we have a lot of information to sift through; we need to know what…
Read moreHow to Win When You Play to Lose
January 17, 2018
Everybody loves to win. Children naturally infuse winning into their day; “First one to the slide gets (fill in the blank)”, “My (fill in the blank) is (better, bigger, stronger) than yours!” I’ll admit, as a mom, I do it too! I almost always regret it, but when the three boys take on sloth-like qualities…
Read more18 Ways to Help a Special Needs Family in 2018
January 11, 2018
Why special needs families need help:Before I became a parent, I thought a little extra hard work would be enough to make it through the valleys of parenthood. When I became a special needs parent, goodness, I realized how wrong I was. M. Lin says it well in this post: Parenting is already an…
Read more3 Reminders for Parents of Kids with Disabilities in 2018
January 2, 2018
1. You are an expert in your childYou know your child best. You have watched your child grow, tracked milestones, and sought help when your parental instinct told you something might not be quite right. You know the techniques that will calm an outburst, the language that will get your child back on task,…
Read moreAsk the Attorney: My young child isn’t forming words like the rest of her peers. Do I have to wait until she is in school to get help?
December 19, 2017
While all kids develop differently, you know your child best. If you’ve noticed differences in development between your child and other peers her age, then more information and expert advice will help you understand your options and make informed decisions about your child's speech and language.You do not need to wait! The Early Intervention…
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 moreParenting and the Holidays: How to Stay Mindful
December 5, 2017
I love the holiday season. But let’s be honest, for every beautiful cookie exchange or flawless school play posted online, there’s a disaster in the kitchen or a meltdown in the car that was not on social media for all to see. I consider myself a glass half-full person. That does not mean that I’m…
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 moreHow to Get Ready to Look for Work While Parenting a Child with Special Needs
November 20, 2017
Last month we received a comment from a reader pointing out the all-too-familiar challenge of looking for work while also parenting a child with special needs. In our culture, it is hard to be successful in the working world when you are so needed at home. This really struck a chord with me and I…
Read moreWhere to Start: Choosing the Best Supports and Therapies for Your Child
November 20, 2017
Each new stage in life brings developmental changes and opportunity for growth and learning. It also opens new doors to an ever-changing list of possible therapies or community activities. Development is made up of so many key aspects of ourselves. How do we decide which ones to prioritize over the others? “I want to set…
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 moreAsk the Attorney: How Can I Help My Child Be Job Ready After High School?
October 25, 2017
You’re in luck – we have lots of resources to help you! This is also a timely question as October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month. First and foremost, know that there are job supports and job coaches available through various organizations who can help your child learn to be successful in the workplace…
Read moreAsk the Attorney: Advice for Parents Considering a Due Process Hearing
October 25, 2017
Because we don’t know the details of your particular case, we can’t give you specific advice – but we can give you some general tips to think about as you head into a due process hearing. This is an important area of special education law, as you have a legal right to have your…
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.…
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When 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…
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