The Wrightslaw Way

In Mass, parents are reporting that their children are refusing to go to class, have dropped out of sports, stopped trying to socialize, refused to go to class and in some cases had to change schools - all because they are being bullied.

Allegedly girls with special needs are being photographed in the bathroom, then pictures posted on FB. Parents report kids are being attacked on the bus or beaten up at elementary school.

Even worse, some bullied children have attempted or threatened suicide. On Jan. 14, Phoebe Prince died of an apparent suicide after incessant bullying by classmates.

Who is investigating? It appears that the school system is investigating itself and… they “apologize for the delay.” [Read more →]

Tags:   abuse · Harassment and Bullying8 Comments

Disability Scoop: HBO’s ‘Temple Grandin’ Offers Inside Look At Autism

When Temple Grandin was diagnosed with autism at age three, a doctor recommended she be placed in an institution. Instead, Grandin grew up to be a world-renowned expert on the handling of livestock and arguably the most famous person with autism in the world. (HBO/Van Redin: Image Courtesy Temple Grandin)

See the trailer of the new film called “Temple Grandin” starring Claire Danes premiering Feb. 6 on HBO. [Read more →]

Tags:   ASD · autism · Autism Spectrum · Disability Scoop · Temple Grandin · Thinking With Pictures4 Comments

The House Committee on Education and Labor will mark up the Congressional restraint/seclusion bill this Thursday, February 4.  During mark-up, the Congressional Committee will consider the bill and any proposed changes, and vote on a bill to send to the House Floor.

Live Webcast: If you would like to hear the discussion about the bill, the mark-up will be webcast live from the Education and Labor Committee website. You can access the webcast when the hearing begins at 11:00 am Eastern here:

http://edlabor.house.gov/markups/2010/02/preventing-harmful-restraint-a.shtml

[Read more →]

Tags:   H.R.4247 · Isolation · Preventing Harmful Restraint and Seclusion in Schools Act · Restraint · school abuse · seclusion · Timeout Rooms1 Comment

What is the difference between a medical model and an educational model? I was asked a question recently that intrigued me, so I did a little research.

When school personnel say they cannot provide services because they follow an educational model, what does that mean? [Read more →]

Tags:   Educational Diagnosis · Educational Malpractice · Educational Model · Medical Model · SLP · Teaching Profession12 Comments

In November, I offered to research an issue and write a legal memorandum about whether an attorney for the school can legally attend an IEP team meeting.  

Thank you to all who posted comments on my article Can School Attorneys Legally Attend IEP Meetings?

I am finally out of finals and through the holidays and I wanted to respond to your comments.  Sorry for the delay.

• “These attorneys actively misrepresent laws and safeguards.”

David, have you ever tried to tape an IEP Meeting?  [Read more →]

Tags:   Attorneys · IEP Meetings · IEP Team Members · IEPs · Specific Power of Attorney for Education12 Comments

TODAY! VA Senators will be discussing Senate Bill 689 when they meet at 2 pm. The bill would limit the legal rights of people with disabilities who are represented by the Virginia Office for Protection and Advocacy (VOPA).    This is a dangerous bill that will take away the civil rights of people with developmental and other disabilities.

This bill threatens our right to have an independent Virginia Office on Protection and Advocacy that can file lawsuits under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and other federal disability rights laws.

Today, please contact your Virginia Senators. We need to stop this bill!  You’ll find contact information, background on the bill, and what to say here. [Read more →]

Tags:   ADA · arbitration · mediation · SB 689 · Virginia Office for Protection and Advocacy · VOPA2 Comments

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) has just been streamlined. Applying for student aid for college should be easier, the form is simpler, shorter, and more user friendly.

For the 2010-11 academic year, students could begin filing their FAFSAs on January 1, 2010. It is hoped that simplifying FAFSA will make it easier for students to access financial support for postsecondary studies. Watch the video for 5 easy tips to score student aid. [Read more →]

Tags:   College and Continuing Education · FAFSA · Financial Aid · ScholarshipsNo Comments.

Today is the day! Thursday, January 21st, tell your members of Congress to support the Preventing Harmful Restraint and Seclusion in Schools Act (H.R. 4247/S.2860) introduced last month by Representatives George Miller (D-CA) and Cathy McMorris-Rodgers (R-WA) and by Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT). This legislation would provide students with and without disabilities vital protections against abuse in schools.

Please call your Representative today,January 21st, and ask him or her to co-sponsor H.R, 4247. Then, call on your Senators to co-sponsor S. 2860.

Find more information on what you can do here: Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law and here: http://www.tourettesyndrome.net/alert.html. Or, use the CHADD Legislative Action Center.

Tags:   H.R.4247 · Isolation · Preventing Harmful Restraint and Seclusion in Schools Act · Restraint · school abuse · seclusion · Timeout RoomsNo Comments.

The Board of Directors of our public schools is being urged to adopt a plan that would segregate all elementary school children with physical disabilities into one of the district’s five elementary schools. Is this illegal?

The board member proposing this said “It’s not about education.  It’s about buildings.”  He promotes neighborhood schools close to home for non-disabled children, while forcing all children with disabilities into one school.

That’s crazy and, yes, it is illegal. [Read more →]

Tags:   ADA · ADA Compliance · Discrimination · LRE · Placement2 Comments

Does having an IEP guarantee my son will not fail?

The answer to this particular question is No. An IEP does not guarantee that a child will not fail. [Read more →]

Tags:   504 Plan · ADAAA · Failing grades · Grades · IEP · Letter to the Stranger · Section 5042 Comments