What is a “reasonable accommodation”?

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Recently I was asked to explain what a “reasonable accommodation” is. The person put the question in some context:   Their child’s “special education school thinks a table in classroom with curtain is a reasonable accommodation for his bathroom needs. The class is coed teenagers with different cognitive and physical abilities.” I doubt this is a […]

Websites for Parents of Twice Exceptional (2e) Kids

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Identifying 2e Children https://www.brainbalancecenters.com/blog/2015/02/identifying-twice-exceptional-children/   Tips for Parents: Meeting the Needs of 2e Children http://www.davidsongifted.org/Search-Database/entry/A10140   7 Myths About 2E Students https://www.understood.org/en/friends-feelings/empowering-your-child/building-on-strengths/7-myths-about-twice-exceptional-2e-students   Gifted Children With Learning Disabilities https://www.understood.org/en/friends-feelings/empowering-your-child/building-on-strengths/gifted-childrens-challenges-with-learning-and-attention-issues   2e Newsletter http://www.2enewsletter.com/index.html   NEA: Twice Exceptional Dilemma http://www.nea.org/assets/docs/twiceexceptional.pdf [PDF File]   Amazon.com Books on 2e Kids http://amzn.to/2jtknFy  

Audio Recording IEP Meetings – Is It Allowed?

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Having an audio recording of what happens in an IEP meeting is powerful evidence, especially when school districts deny what was said or fail to put a service in writing into the IEP.   For example, an audio recording can prove or disprove what was actually discussed during the meeting, whether the parents were given proper […]

Transportation is a Mandatory “Related Service” for Special Ed Kids That Need It

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Under IDEA, transportation is a “related service” that must be provided to kids with an IEP.1  Transportation must also be provided to infants and toddlers as part of Early Intervention Services.2 Transportation includes travel between home and school; between schools (if the child attends more than one campus); travel within and around school buildings (if […]

Special Education Law and Child Custody

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According to the American Psychological Association, 40-50% of marriages in the United States end in divorce.  Of all children born to married parents this year, 50% will experience the divorce of their parents before they reach their 18th birthday. (Patrick F. Fagan and Robert Rector, “The Effects of Divorce on America,” Heritage Foundation Backgrounder, May 2000.) […]

The New Jersey Dyslexia Handbook

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A group of smart minds in the New Jersey world of special education gathered and put together an excellent guide to assist schools, parents, and providers in helping children with dyslexia.  They recently issued “The New Jersey Dyslexia Handbook: A Guide to Early Literacy Development & Reading Struggles” (PDF) which is free to download from […]

Why Common Core is Evil

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Soapbox time. Many of you don’t know what Common Core is or don’t care (because you don’t have children in K-12 any longer), but I’m here to tell you the evils of Common Core throughout our society. And it’s not as obvious as you would think.   Common Core was established to sound good and […]

Parents IEP Bill of Rights #KnowYourRights

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If you are a parent of a child with a disability, READ UP! This is YOUR Bill of Rights for your child’s IEP: Your child is entitled to a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) as provided by an IEP. An IEP must be in place at the beginning of each school year your child is […]

Don’t go to a heart surgeon for a broken arm . . .

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If you fell and broke your arm, would you go to a heart surgeon?  Of course not.  You would go to an orthopedic doctor who could determine whether you need a cast, sling, surgery, etc. The same principle applies in law.  If someone has sued you for cutting down the tree on their property, you wouldn’t […]

What documents should be in your child’s special education binder?

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If you are a parent of a special education student or advocating for one, do yourself a favor and . . . PRINT OUT THIS ARTICLE (or at least the plan below). Not only will this article save you time and lots of money, it will help you understand how best to help your child […]