The Wrightslaw Way

There is still time to apply!

Smart Kids with LD – Fred J. Epstein Youth Achievement Award. This $1,000 award recognizes the strengths and accomplishments of young people with learning disabilities and ADHD.

It will be given to a student 19 or younger who has demonstrated initiative, talent and determination resulting in a notable accomplishment in any field—including art, music, science, math, athletics or community service.

Winners are nominated by a parent, teacher, mentor, coach, or self. Deadline! Applications must be submitted by January 31, 2013. [Read more →]

Tags:   Clinton Berry · Fred J. Epstein Youth Achievement Award · Smart Kids with LDNo Comments.

My son has high functioning autism.  He is a middle schooler, reading 2 years below grade level. He has difficulty in comprehension and inferencing, but not decoding.  The school uses the Jamestown Reading Navigator.  Is this an effective program?

This is a link to the Jamestown Reading Navigator and to the program overview.   http://www.readingnavigator.com/mkt/jumper.html

The research studies are here:   http://www.readingnavigator.com/mkt/po.html

The most research-based and proven reading comprehension program on the planet is only useful when the comprehension issue is at the print level of language.

When comprehension of spoken language is an issue, a reading comprehension program will not address the underlying issue, which would need to be addressed through language therapy.

If your son has good language comprehension and is 2 years behind in reading comprehension, then this program might be appropriate.

However, a reading program will not be the way to address inferencing difficulties when they occur at the level of spoken language. [Read more →]

Tags:   Assessments · autism · DRP · Jamestown Reading Navigator · Reading Comprehension · Reading Tests1 Comment

Are there forms or examples available for 504 Plans and IEP’s? How do I get them?

To provide guidance about how to implement IDEA 2004, the Education Department publishes topics briefs, model forms and other publications and documents.

Model IEP Form

When the IDEA 2004 Regulations were published in the Federal Register, the Education Deparment also published a Model IEP Form.  For special education services, related services, supplementary aids and services, and modifications and supports, the model IEP form requires:

• the projected date for the beginning of services
• the anticipated frequency of services
• location of services
• duration of services [Read more →]

Tags:   IDEA 2004 · IEP Model Form1 Comment

Have you ever devoted any thought to the origins of disabilities? No, you haven’t, and neither have I.

That’s why I am writing this important article without having done any research whatsoever,” says Attorney-humorist Aimee Gilman.

You want research, you have to pay for it. For free, I make it up as I go along. Even so, understanding history is critical not only to our future, but to our children’s future.

Don’t ask me why. I’m still working on that.

Aimee warns us…”If you are among those humor- challenged individuals who believe there is absolutely nothing funny about disabilities, then I urge you to stop now and go back to biting your nails down to your elbows.”

We enjoy Aimee’s perspective and think you will too.

We’ve copied excerpts from her “non-researched” article on the origins of disabilities in this blog post. You’ll find the entire article in the Humor section of Aimee’s website or on The Lighter Side at Wrightslaw.

Disabilities Through History

The ancient Greeks clearly suffered from some sort of sensory integration disorder, since they were unable to tolerate the feeling of any clothing on their bodies during exercise.

As a result, sporting events such as the Olympics were conducted entirely in the nude. This drew great crowds of spectators, as you might imagine.

Hence the current popularity of the Olympics, still largely conducted without clothing. (See beach volleyball image)

Probably the most famous disabled person in history is Albert Einstein. [Read more →]

Tags:   Aimee Gilman · humor · The Light Side of Special Education2 Comments

Have you just committed a real faux pas but find yourself at a loss for words to apologize?

Perhaps you are a celebrity who needs to apologize for disability-related comment…  A teacher who needs to apologize for outrageous classroom mistreatment…   Or, a personal favorite,  an IEP team member who knows it all…

Terri Mauro can help you out!

Using her wonderful sense of humor, Terri designed three user friendly apology templates you can easily adapt. If you find yourself at a loss for words (imagine that), Terri’s templates offer you three options for an apology that:

1. is sincere or at least looks that way
2. lets you keep a little street cred
3. tells the cold hard truth

If you “need a laugh,” check out her All Purpose Apology Templates at http://specialchildren.about.com/od/needalaugh/ss/All-Purpose-Celebrity-Apology_3.htm

We’ve reprinted our favorite below. Thank you, Terri.

IEP Team Member Apology Template for Not Knowing It All After All [Read more →]

Tags:   Apology Templates · specialchildren.about.com · Terri Mauro · The Lighter Side of Special Education6 Comments

School districts track students that are classified with a disability. The committee tries to determine whether services are provided in district or better served out of district. Are there measurements that can be used to compare what is considered “best in class”?

This is a new one. I have never heard that term used in this context.

I can tell you that kids with disabilities are NOT entitled to the “best education” nor to an education that “maximizes potential.”

We advise parents to ban the word “best” from their vocabulary, especially when negotiating with the school for services.

We’ve written a number of articles about “banning the word best.”  I’ve copied some links below.

Cadillac-Chevrolet Disputes

Sometimes these disagreements about educational benefit are called “Cadillac-Chevrolet” disputes. [Read more →]

Tags:   Banning the Word "Best" · Bd. of Educ. v. Rowley · Cadillac-Chevrolet Disputes · FAPE · Maximum Educational Benefit2 Comments

Please tell me this is a joke.

Early Math Teachers Celebrate ‘Critical Thinking, Not Correct Answers’

This article begins by quantifying a serious long-standing problem:

“Just 40 percent of 4th-graders and 35 percent of 8th-graders are proficient in math, according to the latest National Assessment of Educational Progress.”

The article reports that the Erikson Institute will receive a 5 million dollar grant for teacher training in “new and high-potential practices to improve student learning.”

What does this new teacher training program do?

The Institute will use the five million dollar grant to train teachers at 8 elementary schools to “lead classrooms that celebrate critical thinking, not correct answers.” These teachers will ultimately “support” more than 4,500 students.

This program is not new or innovative. [Read more →]

Tags: 7 Comments

We often get questions about the legality of using a recording device or pen in class.

Parents ask this question when schools tell them “recording devices violate the confidentiality” of other students in the classroom.

Digital recorders or recording pens are Assistive Technology devices. If your child is eligible for special education services under IDEA, the school is required to consider the assistive technology needs of your child. The law requires schools to use assistive technology devices and services “to maximize accessibility for children with disabilities.” (20 U.S.C. Section 1400(c)(5)(H), Wrightslaw: Special Education Law, 2nd Edition, p. 47)

These devices can “transform the life of almost any child with learning disabilities who struggles with notetaking.”

What about using a recording device for class lectures in a postsecondary setting? Is it Legal for a Student to Record Class Lectures?

Ask Penn State.

The Office of Disability Services (ODS) at Penn State recognized how AT could benefit students with disabilities by improving their classroom and studying experiences. [Read more →]

Tags:   Assistive Technology · AT · Livescribe Pulse Pen · Recording Devices · SmartPens2 Comments

Due to an overwhelming response, the sale has been extended to Midnight, December 11. Order Today!

Not only 25% Off  Wrightslaw Books, CD-Roms, Totes…

FREE Shipping on orders $50 or more…
Each book will be autographed by the authors, Pete and Pam Wright!

Send the perfect Christmas gift. We can include a gift card.

Use the Online Promo Code 1353444141 when placing your order to receive the 25% discount. Gift card message included at check out.

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. You can also use our downloadable order form.

Take advantage of the savings and order today!

Merry Christmas from Wrightslaw.

Tags:   Advocacy · Special Education LawNo Comments.

What is Universal Design for Learning?

“Universal design calls for planning for the needs of the broadest possible range of users.

Within an educational framework, universal design refers to a similar approach in designing and delivering products and services, such as curricula, instruction, and evaluations.

Application for Special Education

For students with LD and ADHD, who may struggle with traditional teaching methods, UDL offers the opportunity to access learning in ways that utilize their strengths rather than focusing on their deficits.

Students’ individual learning styles are taken into account, in order to take advantage of the different ways in which they are able to learn.

Brain research tells us that lecturing to students and then asking them to repeat the information or using standard textbooks are not the best ways of getting the message across. [Read more →]

Tags:   Access to education · Dr. Kathleen Whitbread · Eve Kessler Esq. · Smart Kids with LD · UDL · Universal Design for Learning2 Comments