The Wrightslaw Way

The district’s lawyer said that since my husband was a lawyer and I had an advocate, the district deserved to be represented at a resolution meeting.

I thought lawyers could not attend a resolution meeting. We do not have legal representation. She said, “Well, I will be outside the door!”

I assume the resolution session is scheduled because you requested a due process hearing.

Write a polite business-like letter. In your letter, describe:

• what the school attorney told you
• your understanding of what the law requires
• the chilling effect of the attorney’s statement that, regardless of what the law says, she “will be outside the door.”

Who Attends Resolution Meetings

The purpose of the resolution session is to provide parents and schools with an opportunity to resolve complaints before a due process hearing.

The resolution sessions gives parents an opportunity to discuss their complaints with “relevant members of the IEP team,” including “a representative of the LEA who has decision-making authority.”

Because attorneys tend to have a negative impact on communication and problem solving, the law specifically states that the resolution session “may not include an attorney of the local education agency unless the parent is accompanied by an attorney.” [Read more →]

Date: November 7, 2013
Location: St. Demetrois Hall in Seattle, Washington
Topic: Special Education Law and Advocacy
Speaker: Pete Wright, Esq.
Sponsors: Down Syndrome Community

Click here for information on registration fees, scholarships, credits, agenda and more.

Register by October 31st and save $25 as an Individual and $50 as a Professional.

See you in Seattle!

Don’t miss your local screening of The Big Picture: Rethinking Dyslexia, an HBO documentary about dyslexia.

The Big Picture: Rethinking Dyslexia clears up the misconceptions about dyslexia and paints a picture of hope for all who struggle with it.

The film provides personal and uplifting accounts of the dyslexic experience from children, experts and iconic leaders.

Pete Wright, a nationally recognized expert on special education law, will be the keynote speaker at Decoding Dyslexia Day, October 26, 2013 at the Byrd Theater in Richmond, VA.

Pete, who refers to himself as the Dyslexic, ADD attorney, will talk about his own struggles with learning differences. He will offer tips and strategies for parents to ensure their child receives a good education and learns to read.

This is a free event.  Make your reservation today!

Find a screening in your area of The Big Picture.

Proving that dyslexia is a neurological issue and not a character flaw, The Big Picture beautifully illustrates that while the condition is an obstacle, it also carries some unique advantages, and ultimately can be overcome.

Shining a spotlight on the latest scientific and psychological research, the film also highlights the work of Drs. Sally and Bennett Shaywitz, co-founders and co-directors of the Yale Center of Dyslexia and Creativity to illuminate the hidden origins and implications of dyslexia.

Directed by Jamie Redford, The Big Picture has joined hands with the Decoding Dyslexia movement.  Jamie’s wife, Kyle Redford, is the Education Editor at the Yale Center for Dyslexia and Creativity.

• I have a child with dyslexia – can you help me?
• The school doesn’t recognize dyslexia what can I do?
• Why can’t my child read – does she have dyslexia?

Parents (and children) have long been frustrated at the school’s failure to identify children with dyslexia, to provide school-based services, and to effectively teach these children with research based programs.

Decoding Dyslexia, launched  in 2011 by New Jersey parents, is an excellent and inspirational story about how a small group of parents banded together to change education in their home state and in other states.

This group needs to go viral!

DD-NJ parent members hope to establish a national DD entity and movement to help parents in every state get involved with creating positive changes for dyslexic students.

Start Decoding Dyslexia in Your State

Since the NJ launch, there are now more than 30 Decoding Dyslexia state-based grassroots parent organizations.

Here’s the Decoding Dyslexia NJ How-to Guide to get a grassroots movement started.

If your state already has a DD group, join today.

Contact DD-NJ directly at info@decodingdyslexianj.org

Learn more about the DD movement from this article by Kyle Redford, Education Editor at the Yale Center for Dyslexia and Creativity.

This one-day Wrightslaw Special Education Workshop on October 18, 2013 is  designed to meet the needs of parents and professionals serving children and teens with disabilities. The program is specific to Federal and New York Special Ed Laws relating to dyslexia and autism. Attendance is limited to those who work or reside in New York.

Join Pete Wright, Esq., and co-sponsors, Long Island Dyslexia Association and Eden II Programs at the Touro Law Center in Central Islip, NY for this special event. Download the Agenda!

Register Online

Download the mail-in registration form.

Walk-In registration may be an option if space is available. Don’t delay!

Click here for all of the conference details.

Please share with friends, family and co-workers.

See you in New York!

We appreciate our online community taking the time to ask questions and share advice, suggestions, and experiences with others on the Community HELPLINE.

Thank you for being part of the Wrightslaw Way Community.

Parent 1 asks: Does the school psychologist have the right to make the statement that his impression is not that of a child with an autism spectrum disorder? He said there is no school documentation of any criteria that would indicate an educational diagnosis of Autism.

My 11 yr. old daughter has a diagnosis of ADHD, ASPERGER’S DISORDER, RAD. by a Board Certified in both General Psychiatry and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. She was diagnosed last year.

I really don’t know what to do. Please help! Thank you.

Parent 2 responds: Sad to say, this happens around the country. Medical diagnosis does not equal educational diagnosis.

Try sending a letter to your school district saying that your child has been medically diagnosed as being on the Autism Spectrum.

Explain that you are concerned about the impact of this diagnosis upon her ability to access the educational opportunities offered by the school district. Ask that the district’s autism expert evaluate your daughter. [Read more →]

My son has pulmonary hypertension. His cardiologist ordered no physical activity.  The doctor said he must be excused from PE because of the strain it puts on his heart.

The principal informed me that my son would have to participate in PE by walking around the gym for the entire duration of class. When I disagreed, the principal accused me of “trying to be argumentative” and refused to speak with me.

Can the school ignore the doctor’s orders? What can I do?

You need to document what happened when you talked with the principal by writing a “Letter to a Stranger.”

Your letter should document:

• your child’s medical history
• what his doctors told you
• what the principal said in the meeting

Ask your cardiologist to write a letter describing: [Read more →]

The district evaluation and our IEE show my 8th grade daughter has regressed and is falling far behind. Reading – 5th grade level. Math – 4th grade level. Verbal score 122 (93rd percentile) and performance score 72 (3rd percentile). She has had an IEP since 5th grade.

The district says she does not need to be at grade level because her report card grades are passing. What do I do next?

IMO, passing from grade to grade means little.

I see high school students all the time who are passing from grade to grade, who cannot pass the high school exit exam, and who cannot read.

Don’t pass exit exam=Don’t graduate! [Read more →]

The school assigned a male parapro to my daughter with mild mental disabilities. I’m concerned about her safety and modesty. We are not comfortable with this.

What can we do to ensure appropriate behavior when a male is assisting her, versus a female?

It is hard to imagine a “reasonable” adult male who would be qualified or would want to provide for a 15-year-old’s needs, including feminine hygiene.

You want the school to help you teach her to live independently as an adult. It will take a team effort between parents and school to accomplish this.

Indiana Advocate Pat Howey suggests, “Sometimes when schools offer improper services, parents can help by suggesting goals and objectives/benchmarks.” [Read more →]

Wrightslaw Back to School Sale. Take advantage of 25% off and FREE Shipping and order Wrightslaw Books and Training CD Rom’s today.

Free Shipping with a $50 or more purchase!

Sale Ends Midnight, Wednesday, September 18, 2013.

You must use the Online Promo code 1377009377 when placing your order to receive the discount.

If ordering online is not your thing or you need to order in quantity…just give us a call. Use our toll free line at 877-529-4332.

Take advantage of the savings and order today!

Here’s to a Successful School Year!
Pam & Pete Wright
and the Wrightslaw Staff