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)....
Every Child Deserves A Meaningful Education
Special Education Law
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...
What is a reasonable accommodation?
In order to make sure that all children have a chance to get a terrific education, schools are expected to make reasonable accommodations when possible. Children with disabilities need to have the same access to education as anyone else. If a teacher or a school...
A dislike for reading could indicate a disability
You try to get your child to read books more often, or you simply try to read with them, but they endlessly complain and tell you that they don’t like it. You wonder if the child simply wants to be doing something else -- like watching TV -- or if things go a bit...
Education is the most important thing in a child’s life
You can easily make the argument that nothing is more important for any child than the level of education that they get. It can define their future. It opens doors, creates social interactions, helps them expand their horizons and much more. It’s important for...
School districts’ reaction to special education needs during lockdown is lacking
California's statewide shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the lives of all students in the state. But perhaps no students are feeling the change more than those with special needs, who typically have an individualized education program in place that...