Special Education: Getting the Best School Experience
We all want our children to reach their maximum potential -- but sometimes it seems like we have to fight with the schools every step of the way. Whether your child is in inclusion or a self-contained class, in a special school or homeschooled, here's how to be an effective advocate and make the most of your child's educational opportunities.
What Parents Would Like Special Educators to Know
Parents of children with special needs can be strong advocates for teachers, too, if communication can be entered into with a spirit of collaboration and shared goals. Here's how parents want that to begin.
Parents of children with special needs can be strong advocates for teachers, too, if communication can be entered into with a spirit of collaboration and shared goals. Here's how parents want that to begin.
Special Education School
If you're baffled by all the terminology thrown around in meetings and paperwork regarding your child's special education, these articles, definitions and quizzes will help you study up.
If you're baffled by all the terminology thrown around in meetings and paperwork regarding your child's special education, these articles, definitions and quizzes will help you study up.
Choose the Right Special Education Placement for Your Child
Learn about the different types of classrooms special-education students may be placed in, and why each might be right -- or wrong -- for your child.
Learn about the different types of classrooms special-education students may be placed in, and why each might be right -- or wrong -- for your child.
Preparing the School for Your Child with Special Needs
The best way to make sure that teachers have all the information and resources they need to work with your child is to provide those things yourself. Here are suggestions, tips and fact sheets on a variety of special needs you can copy, rewrite, print out, and send in to give your child and his or her teacher the best chance at success.
The best way to make sure that teachers have all the information and resources they need to work with your child is to provide those things yourself. Here are suggestions, tips and fact sheets on a variety of special needs you can copy, rewrite, print out, and send in to give your child and his or her teacher the best chance at success.
Special Education Acronyms
Is your child getting a FAPE in the LRE with a BIP, OT, PT, APE, and SLP? Find your way through all those acronyms with this quick guide, a companion to the IEP Memory Game.
Is your child getting a FAPE in the LRE with a BIP, OT, PT, APE, and SLP? Find your way through all those acronyms with this quick guide, a companion to the IEP Memory Game.
Keep a Contact Log
Setting up a system for keeping track of the conversations you’ve had with all those case managers, specialists, therapists and administrators will make you a more organized and effective advocate for your child. Here’s how to have all those details, recommendations, promises and proposals right at your fingertips.
Setting up a system for keeping track of the conversations you’ve had with all those case managers, specialists, therapists and administrators will make you a more organized and effective advocate for your child. Here’s how to have all those details, recommendations, promises and proposals right at your fingertips.
Take Periodic Videos of Your Child
A special-education attorney describes the ways in which going to the videotape can help you make your point in school disputes.
A special-education attorney describes the ways in which going to the videotape can help you make your point in school disputes.
The Seven Deadliest Special-Education Sins
In an excerpt from "IDEA 2004: A Parent Handbook for School Age Children with Learning Disabilities," author Shelley Smith explains the seven points that state education departments will take most seriously when parents lodge complaints against their districts.
In an excerpt from "IDEA 2004: A Parent Handbook for School Age Children with Learning Disabilities," author Shelley Smith explains the seven points that state education departments will take most seriously when parents lodge complaints against their districts.
Staying in Good School Spirits
Disabilities are so often defined by what kids can't do, what help they'll need, where they'll fall short. While those needs and lags are important to address, you can put a more positive spin on your child's schooling with these 10 tips for staying on the bright side.
Disabilities are so often defined by what kids can't do, what help they'll need, where they'll fall short. While those needs and lags are important to address, you can put a more positive spin on your child's schooling with these 10 tips for staying on the bright side.
Adapted Physical Education
An explanation of the term "Adapted Physical Education," with a link to more information.
An explanation of the term "Adapted Physical Education," with a link to more information.
Independent Educational Evaluation
Learn more about getting an independent evaluation for your child to help in determining special education services.
Learn more about getting an independent evaluation for your child to help in determining special education services.
What Is a Paraprofessional?
Learn more about the aides who help children and teachers in special education classrooms.
Learn more about the aides who help children and teachers in special education classrooms.
DIY ESY
Extended School Year (ESY) is a helpful summer program for children in special education, but unless you can prove your child's going to regress over those months off, you may not be able to get it. You can still keep the learning going at home, though. Here are some ideas for setting up your own ESY.
Extended School Year (ESY) is a helpful summer program for children in special education, but unless you can prove your child's going to regress over those months off, you may not be able to get it. You can still keep the learning going at home, though. Here are some ideas for setting up your own ESY.
Wrightslaw
An essential resource with comprehensive information and dynamic advice on all aspects of special education law and advocacy.
An essential resource with comprehensive information and dynamic advice on all aspects of special education law and advocacy.
Parent Centers, State by State
Parent Training and Information Centers and Community Parent Resource Centers help parents get the special education services their children are entitled to. Use this site to find the office in your area.
Parent Training and Information Centers and Community Parent Resource Centers help parents get the special education services their children are entitled to. Use this site to find the office in your area.
Homeschooling Special Needs
A parent who has homeschooled children with special needs shares advice, experiences and resources.
A parent who has homeschooled children with special needs shares advice, experiences and resources.