Special Needs

Articles

...you're three hours into an IEP meeting arguing over whether...three hours into an IEP meeting arguing over whether your...and Norway don't have IEP equivalents in the way...U.S. parents fight for at IEP meetings (smaller class...parents fight for at IEP meetings (smaller class sizes,...result: fewer adversarial meetings. When the system assumes...

Your child's IEP says "general education classroom with co-teaching support." You agreed to..."general education classroom with co-teaching support." You agreed to it at the meeting. Now you're wondering what that means in practice: what it looks like when...

You learn "person-first language" at your first IEP meeting. A child with autism. A person with Down syndrome. A student with... You learn "person-first language" at your first IEP meeting. A child with autism. A person with Down syndrome. A student with a learning...

...early in your special education journey: FAPE and LRE. You'll see them in IEP documents, hear them in meetings, watch attorneys reference them when disputes...education journey: FAPE and LRE. You'll see them in IEP documents, hear them in meetings, watch attorneys reference them when disputes arise. They sound bureaucratic,...

...The answer is earlier than you think. A seven-year-old can't lead their IEP meeting, but they can tell their teacher they need a sensory break. A ten-year-old...answer is earlier than you think. A seven-year-old can't lead their IEP meeting, but they can tell their teacher they need a sensory break. A ten-year-old...

...from a medical chart. Compare that to: "I learned to advocate for myself at IEP meetings before I learned algebra." That sentence shows agency. It positions...medical chart. Compare that to: "I learned to advocate for myself at IEP meetings before I learned algebra." That sentence shows agency. It positions you...

...ability to learn in a general education setting, and eligibility requires meeting two criteria: Your child must have a disability that fits within one of...might qualify for a 504 plan (accommodations like extended time) but not an IEP (specialized instruction). A child with the same diagnosis whose reading...

...visually impaired mentioned orientation and mobility training at the last IEP meeting. You nodded, assuming it meant learning to use a cane when your child...visually impaired mentioned orientation and mobility training at the last IEP meeting. You nodded, assuming it meant learning to use a cane when your child is...

...low-stakes contexts. Add self-advocacy to the IEP as a transition goal. Federal law requires IEPs...schoolwork in three separate settings (classroom, IEP meeting, conversation with a trusted adult)." This...schoolwork in three separate settings (classroom, IEP meeting, conversation with a trusted adult)." This isn't...

...said he's a good candidate for an FM system, so you requested one at the IEP meeting. The school agreed, ordered it, and now it sits in his backpack because...he's a good candidate for an FM system, so you requested one at the IEP meeting. The school agreed, ordered it, and now it sits in his backpack because his...

...planning becomes a mandatory IEP agenda item. Most families...at that first transition meeting without a framework for...no later than the first IEP after a student turns 16....adults with DS. What the IEP Transition Requirement...Requirement Means. At 16, the IEP process shifts. Schools...system. The first transition IEP often feels abstract. Parents...

...kitchen table with an IEP document that doesn't...promised in the meeting. Or you've been told...of Help. Not all IEP help is the same....often trained in the IEP process, who volunteers...They can attend meetings with you, help you...education law and IEP processes but isn't...records, attend IEP meetings, help you...records, attend IEP meetings, help you request...