Parents of children with special needs are important members of the team that crafts and implements the child’s individualized education program (IEP). And they are important members at that, since they know their child and understand their needs best. However,...
Every Child Deserves A Meaningful Education
Special Education Law
Study: Black children face serious delays in autism diagnoses
In a recent blog post, we discussed the findings of a 2020 study that determined Hispanic children had alarmingly low diagnosis rates of autism. There are several factors that contribute to this inequity in diagnoses, and a recent study found that a similar disparity...
FAQs about special education and distance learning
As students return to the classroom, their educational experience will be far from ordinary. That's because many districts in California and across the country are not hosting in-person classes. If your child has a learning disability, this may not be ideal for them....
Considerations for revising your child’s IEP
As children grow, their needs change constantly. Their physical and emotional needs change as they age, as well as their educational needs. Parents with children who have an individualized education program (IEP) know that it is critical to adjust the strategies and...
New law: Parents will be involved in ‘learning continuity plans’
In the midst of the global COVID-19 pandemic, finding a solution for getting students back to school has been a complicated item for lawmakers, districts, teachers, parents and children alike. It has been especially complex for parents of children with disabilities....
Hispanic children have lower diagnosis rates in autism
Although autism awareness and screening continue to increase within minority communities, the autism diagnosis rate among Hispanic children continues to lag behind the rate of non-Hispanic children, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)....
How can you prepare your child for evaluation under IDEA?
Usually, the first step to obtain an individualized education program (IEP) for a child is for the child to attend an evaluation. Under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), parents have a right to obtain an evaluation for their child at no...
Report: Many states not meeting IDEA requirements
Each year, states must report to the U.S. Department of Education regarding their progress in providing special education services. This allows the Department of Education to evaluate how well states comply with and implement the elements of the Individuals with...
When should you request an Individual Educational Evaluation?
If your child has a disability, it’s important to know your options in the public school system under the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act (IDEA). Your child has a right to certain standards of education. If you feel your child is not being served by the...
School in session for some California students with special needs
In the time of COVID-19, the future of special education instruction may be taking place right now at a Novato middle school in California’s Marin County. A peek into its classrooms gives us some ideas about effective strategies for the coming school year when working...