Wrightslaw

At Wrightslaw, our goals are to help you gain the information and skills you need to navigate the changing world of special education.

Highlights: How to solve parent-school problems - and protect relationships; how to disagree with the school without starting WW III; coming soon - Wrightslaw: IDEA 2004; crisis, emergency, help!; art of writing letters; updates in Schaffer v. Weast - decisions, amicus briefs; mistakes people make - independent evaluators & advocates; Wrightslaw programs in IL, MI, HI.

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"Our seven-year old has autism. After his aide told us he has not received all the speech language and OT sessions called for in his IEP, we wrote letters demanding that the school make up the missing sessions."

"The teacher is angry and told the aide she cannot talk with us. Doesn't she have a right to communicate with us? Is there any law we can refer to?"

In How to Solve Parent-School Problems -- and Protect Relationships, Pete and Pam Wright answer these questions and offer advice about how to resolve parent-school problems while also protecting relationships.

Learn why Pam says, "You need to view your relationship with the school as a marriage without the possibility of divorce." Read article.

More Frequently Asked Questions

Every day, we receive dozens of emails from parents (and teachers) that begin with the word Help! In many cases, these folks have damaged their credibility - and the child's case - by assuming that they must DO SOMETHING RIGHT NOW!

If you are in a crisis, Crisis! Emergency! Help! is a "must read" for you. If you want to avoid a crisis, read this article - it will help you deal with problems when they do come up.

More articles about special education issues.

If you have concerns about your child's program, you need to put your concerns in writing. The Art of Writing Letters teaches you how to write letters to the school. Learn about the Blame Approach and the Storytelling Approach, the sympathy factor, first impressions, letter-writing pitfalls, and the powerful decision-making Stranger. 

12 Rules for Writing Great Letters includes rules for writing letters and editing tips.

Learn more about letters and read sample letters.  

The Schaffer v. Weast page has been updated. The page now includes the background of the case, the question presented to the U. S. Supreme Court, links to the U. S. District Court decision, and the Joint Appendix filed with the U. S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.

Schaffer v. Weast also includes links to amicus briefs file on behalf of Brian Schaffer on behalf of law and disability advocacy organizations, and the brief filed on behalf of several autism organizations.

To get the latest news and download briefs in this important case, go to Schaffer v. Weast.

More special education news.

Mistakes People Make: Advocates - Because the non-lawyer advocate plays an extremely important role in the special education process, advocates must be mindful of their power and the trust parents place in them. The more serious mistakes advocates may make are generally ones of excess . . . Read article

Mistakes People Make: Independent Evaluators - To make their case for services or a specific program for their child, parents usually need a competent, credible independent evaluator. Serious mistakes by evaluators can make undermine their credibility or render their opinions powerless. To learn about mistakes independent evaluators should try to avoid, read this article.

Learn about parent advocacy in Advocacy 101.

Springfield, IL - May 13-14, 2005 (Boot Camp)

Oakland Schools, Waterford, MI - May 24, 2005 (Special Education Law & Advocacy Training) - Attorney Wayne Steedman and advocate Pat Howey present a full-day Wrightslaw training program - NEW!

Hilo, HI - July 29, 2005 - LDA Conference (Keynote Speakers & Presenters)

Hilo, HI - July 30-31, 2005 - Boot Camp

Schedule l Programs l Speakers l FAQs