The Wrightslaw Way

Is your child is having academic, social, or behavioral problems?

Consider a Comprehensive Evaluation

A comprehensive evaluation will identify your child’s strengths, deficits, and needs.

An evaluation will help you develop:

• a plan to help your child
• a road map for the future

A privately obtained evaluation should answer your questions and include specific recommendations about what your child needs.

Choose an evaluator  independent evaluator in the private sector who has expertise in your child’s disability, is independent of the school district, and who is willing to work with the school staff.

The evaluator may identify professionals who can help your child.

Or, your child’s school may ask for consent to evaluate your child to determine if they are eligible for special education services and accommodations.

Who Can Conduct an Evaluation? [Read more →]

A thank you goes out to sponsor Advocate by Faith, for bringing Wrightslaw to Wilton, CT for the second year!

On Thursday, October 23, 2014, Wrightslaw presents a one-day special education law and advocacy training for parents, advocates, educators, related service providers and attorneys. The agenda will follow the format of the standard “6 hour agenda“. The presentation will also include issues faced by parents of children with emotional disturbance, allergies, add, dyslexia, other Heath impairments and behaviors.

Registration includes morning coffee, boxed lunch, afternoon snack and three Wrightslaw books. 0.6 CEU’s have been approved for this conference.

Register Online Today!

Download and share the conference flyer!

See you in Wilton, CT!

Don’t miss the
Wrightslaw Summer Sale!

Get 25% OFF!

• Wrightslaw Books
• Training CD Roms
• E-Pub and Kindle Editions
• Advocacy Supplies
• Surviving Due Process DVD

July 22 through July 30, 2014.

Order Now and Save 25%

The Renaissance Birmingham Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa is the location for the 8th Annual Southeastern Rett Syndrome Alliance Conference -  held August 1-3, 2014. The Wrightslaw training takes place on Saturday, August 2nd.

This Wrightslaw Special Education Law and Advocacy Training is for parents, advocates, educators, related service providers and attorneys. The agenda will follow the format of the standard “6 hour agenda”. The presentation will also include issues faced by parents of children with RETT syndrome and include a particular focus on the acquisition of assistive technology devices and services.

Click here to Register Online.

Register Now!

See you in Alabama!

A child with an allergy, asthma, even diabetes, has an “episodic” condition which, as a result of the amendments to ADA, normally qualifies the public school child for the protections of 504 and the private school child / day care youngster, for the protections of ADA.

New at Wrightslaw!  We have created a new Allergies / Anaphylaxis page at
http://www.wrightslaw.com/info/allergy.index.htm

Food Allergy Research and Education

At the Food Allergy Research & Education Association (FARE) annual conference, I did a 5 hour presentation about allergies and anaphylaxis. The focus was on 504 and ADA and very little on IDEA.

Conference attendees received a CD-ROM that included almost 60 files. The CD included pdf copies of Wrightslaw: Special Education Law, 2nd. Ed., Wrightslaw: From Emotions to Advocacy, 2nd Ed., our video about writing Due Process and Complaint letters.

Many of the files on the CD-ROM were:

• cases
• complaints filed in federal court
• US Dept of Justice complaints and settlement letters
• manuals for use by schools regarding life-threatening allergies
• comprehensive guidelines for schools recently issued by the Center for Disease Control in collaboration with FARE

We have uploaded the files provided to the FARE attendees to our new Allergies / Anaphylaxis page. [Read more →]

On Thursday, July 24, 2014 join Pete Wright and sponsors Mississippi Coalition for Citizens with Disabilities, Mississippi Parent Training and Information Center and REACH MS, in Jackson, Mississippi for this one-day Wrightslaw Special Education Law and Advocacy Training.

Click here to Register Online.

Download the Registration Form.

CLE (continuing legal education) credits and CEU’s (continuing education units) are available.

Visit the conference page for all training details.

See you in Mississippi!

My 10-year-old 4th grader will be in a new, grade-level building, in a gifted and talented classroom. He has been diagnosed severely ADHD, OCD, anxiety, and Tourettes. His doctor recommended a parapro in the classroom but the school principal said, “We don’t have the ability to provide a para.”

What is the obligation of the school to make that happen? Should I fight the school?

Should I get a private evaluation?

What would you advise…?

Sharon says: “I believe an evaluation should be done, but I would not pay for an outside evaluation. You should request an evaluation from the school. Sign their consent form immediately.

The 60 day requirement to get the testing done does not start until their consent form is signed.

When the test is complete you will sit down with the team and go over the results. Your son may test into getting help. [Read more →]

How long does a school have evaluate a child after a formal request is made and all consent paperwork is signed?

How many days before the school district is required to comply?

You have to be careful about asking questions of this nature. Often the answer you receive may be wrong!

Part of the answer is dependent on whether it is a new evaluation —  or a re-evaluation.

Learn how to find the answer yourself. [Read more →]

I have an 8 year old in second grade who can now walk around after 80 different corrective surgeries. He has popliteal pterygium syndrome with his knees in a contracted position. His left leg is much shorter than the right. He is extremely tired when he walks for a long period of time. He also has a cleft plate and cleft lip so his speech can be difficult to understand.

The school removed him from an IEP because they said his physical disability no longer affects his educational performance.

Change of Placement

Removing your child from the IEP is a change of placement.

The school cannot unilaterally change placement without the entire team agreeing to it. Parents must be involved in placement decisions.

Did you sign the IEP? You don’t have to. [Read more →]

Summer School 2014 – Parent Rights & Responsibilities in the IEP Process

Session 2: Identifying Problems, Clarifying Issues
Assignment #1: Write a Parent Agenda

Directions: Type your Parent Agenda in the message box below – then submit.

A Parent Agenda is a powerful tool that will tell your child’s story. The IEP Team can step into your child’s shoes and see the world through his eyes. Use the agenda to frame problems and develop solutions for your child.

Tips:

• Begin with “good news” not complaints.
• Emphasize your shared responsibility with educators.
• Use some of your child’s words.
• Identify problems, express your concerns, make your requests, and offer solutions for your child.
• Use facts to support each request.
• Do not overtly blame or criticize the school.
• Offer your support and appreciation for efforts made on behalf of your child.

If you need more review, turn to Chapter 25, Wrightslaw: From Emotions to Advocacy, 2nd Edition, p. 261 or download the Sample Parent Agenda.

Session 2 of Summer School 2014 in the Special Ed Advocate.  Get a jump on your homework assignment by starting your Parent Agenda now.  Catch up on Session 1. Review  previous Wrightslaw Summer School Series.

Assignment #1. Directions: Type your parent agenda in the box below - then submit.