Doing Your Homework:
Mom Needs Help - Son Cannot Read
by Suzanne Heath, Research Editor, Wrightslaw

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My son was diagnosed with several learning disabilities and has other issues as well. He is in a third grade regular education classroom. He has an I.E.P. and receives extra help for speech, reading and math. Because the school recommended that he receive extra help for language, I take him to a tutor twice a week. (I pay for this).

The real problem is that my son cannot read. The teachers and principal at his school are wonderful. They want my son to have an aide during the day. The school board will not approve this. As a single mother of three children and a college student myself, I feel like I am being ignored. I do not know what to do or where to turn.

I need help from an advocacy group that can help me help my son. He will be in fourth grade soon, and is running out of time. Any information you have is greatly appreciated.

Sue's Advice

You are right, your son needs to learn to read. I don't think an aide is the solution to his problem. Your son needs to be taught by a teacher who has specialized training in how to teach children with reading problems. Most aides do not have this training.

An advocate can help you work with the system, but the system you are in is clearly broken.

I think you should contact an attorney, not to initiate legal proceedings, but to develop a strategy to educate your school district about what is required of them under IDEA and to develop a plan to get an appropriate education for your son.

Attorneys and advocates often work together with parents to recommend strategies that result in an appropriate education for a child. You may need to talk to many people before you decide what to do and who to work with. You will need to continue to be the "manager" of your son's education plan, but you need to find people who can help you put a good plan into place.

People involved in education know how hard it is to get effective and timely services for children. Many will take the time to talk with you, even if they are not exactly who you need. They may point you to other people and resources that can help.

Keep calling and e-mailing people. Ask questions until you find the help you need to develop and implement a plan for your son's education. If you are persistent, you will find the help you need.

Keep a log of who you talk to and your conversations. Later, you may decide to re-contact some people you discounted at first. A record of your calls will be a good resource for you later on.

For more ideas, read Special Education Advocacy - Getting Started.

Pete and Pam Wright will be in Oklahoma on Friday, December 2 and Saturday, December 3 for a Wrightslaw Special Education Law and Advocacy Boot Camp. The Oklahoma Disability Law Center is sponsoring the program which will be held at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond.

This program is free to parents, teachers and others who work with children with disabilities. Participants will also receive two free books.

To learn more about this program, go to the conference page.

Here are links that will take you to people in your area who can help. Start here -

Oklahoma Disability Law Center
2915 Classen Blvd., Suite 300
Oklahoma City, OK 73106
Phone: (405) 525-7755
Toll- Free: (800) 880-7755 outside the Oklahoma City dialing zone
Fax: (405) 525-7759

Oklahoma Yellow Pages for Kids with Disabilities

NICHCY Oklahoma State Resource Pages

Learning Disabilities Association (LDA) of Oklahoma
P.O. Box 1134
Jenks, OK 74037
(918) 298-1600; (800) 532-6365 (in OK)
Linda Modenbach, President
E-mail: ldao@sbcglobal.net

International Dyslexia Association (IDA)
Call the IDA for a list of service providers in your area 410-296-0232
Branches of the International Dyslexia Association serving Oklahoma

Autism Society of Central Oklahoma
PO Box 890963
Oklahoma City, OK 73159
(405) 692-8611
Jennifer Young
E-mail: JENNDONNY@CS.COM
Web: www.asofok.org

Take care,

Sue Heath
Research Editor, Wrightslaw

More articles by Sue:

Getting Help for Children with Reading Problems

Research-Based Reading Instruction

Exit Exams Can Be Optional If You Plan Ahead

A Parent's Guide to No Child Left Behind

What Teachers, Principals & School Administrators Need to Know About NCLB