Read Useful Articles
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Learning in School
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Sample Letter to Request a Functional Behavioral Assessment
Families can formally request a Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA) when a student’s behavior interferes with learning. This process helps schools identify the root causes of…
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Sample Letter to Request an IEP Meeting
Families can request an IEP (Individualized Education Program) meeting at any time—not just during the annual review. A sample letter is available to help parents…
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Sample Letter to Request Evaluation
Anyone with knowledge of a student may request a special education evaluation, and Washington State law requires that referrals be made in writing. Schools must…
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Childcare-What to Know When Your Child has a Disability
When a parent or family caregiver needs care for their child with a disability, finding safe, appropriate, and affordable care will be a priority. There…
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Get Ready for School with IEP Essentials
Every student deserves a strong start to the school year. For families of children with disabilities, preparing for school includes reviewing the Individualized Education Program…
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School Support Plans for Deployment-Tips for Parents
When a military parent deploys, children—especially those with disabilities—may show changes in behavior, emotions, or learning. With the right support at home and school, these…
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Your Personal Roadmap: Students’ Guide to the High School & Beyond Plan
Washington State requires all students to build a future-focused plan starting in middle school that can be tailored to match their goals and strengths. When…
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Tips to Help Parents Reinforce Positive Behaviors at Home
Changes in routine, especially during school breaks, can be challenging for families, but using Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) at home can help create…
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Summer Reading Tips for Families
Summer days offer time to focus on play, creativity, and family fun. Reading can also be fun! If summer days include time for reading, it…
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Understanding Epilepsy: Facts, History, and Support
Epilepsy is a brain condition that causes people to have seizures. There are many different types of seizures, and each person’s experience with epilepsy can…
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Attention Students: Lead your own IEP meetings and take charge of your future
If you are a student with an Individualized Education Program (IEP), read this article to find out how you can be a leader on your…
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ESY Helps Students Who Struggle to Maintain Skills and Access FAPE
With summer approaching, parents may worry about their child’s progress being disrupted. They can request a meeting with the IEP team to review progress and…
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The Power of Data: Shaping IEPs and 504 plans for Student Success
Data plays a crucial role in special education, helping teachers, parents, and support teams create effective learning plans for students with disabilities. By understanding data,…
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Getting to Know the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP)
The Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) is an essential tool designed to support infants and toddlers with developmental delays or disabilities. This guide provides a…
Parent & Family
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For Care Partners/Caregivers of Individuals Living with Parkinson’s Disease
At Lifespan Respite WA, we focus on caregivers. Our team gathered resources specifically for caregivers from the organizations listed below, to support you in your…
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My Family’s Sensory and Adaptive Needs for the Holidays
The holidays are a fun and festive time that often includes lots of change in schedules, foods, bright lights, loud unexpected sounds, new people, and…
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Sensory-Friendly Holiday Tips
The holidays are full of sensory experiences. Flickering candles, holiday music, the aromas of food cooking, the fur on an unfamiliar dog, and the sounds…
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Lifespan Respite WA for Professionals: Social Services and Medical
What Lifespan Respite WA does: We offer interpretation if arranged in advance for almost any language. Email us in a preferred language to set this…
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Respite Offers a Break for Caregivers and Those They Support
Respite offers a short-term break for caregivers and those they support. This article provides information and resources to get started seeking respite services. Resources and…
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Help for Military Families: Tips to Navigate Special Education Process in Washington State
For families new to Washington State, this article includes state-specific information about special education systems. PAVE wants to extend a warm welcome to your entire family…
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Parent to Parent (P2P) Connects Caregivers Statewide for Support
Family caregivers for children with disabilities and special healthcare needs may feel isolated or uncertain about where to seek help for their children and themselves.…
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Self-Care is Critical for Caregivers with Unique Challenges
Caring for individuals with disabilities or complex medical needs can be emotionally and physically draining, making intentional self-care essential for long-term well-being. Simple practices like…
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Childcare-What to Know When Your Child has a Disability
When a parent or family caregiver needs care for their child with a disability, finding safe, appropriate, and affordable care will be a priority. There…
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School Support Plans for Deployment-Tips for Parents
When a military parent deploys, children—especially those with disabilities—may show changes in behavior, emotions, or learning. With the right support at home and school, these…
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Five Tips for a Smooth PCS
Planning ahead and staying organized can make a military move much smoother, especially for families with children who have special needs. These key strategies and…
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Understanding Epilepsy: Facts, History, and Support
Epilepsy is a brain condition that causes people to have seizures. There are many different types of seizures, and each person’s experience with epilepsy can…
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Dating on the Spectrum
This article is written for older youth and young adults who are neurodivergent, with an emphasis on autistic neurodivergence. It is based on research and…
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How to Have Good Communication with Your Child or Youth’s Doctor
When your child is impacted by chronic healthcare needs or disability it can be very important to learn to talk with the healthcare professionals that…
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Understanding the Health Impacts of Measles
According to the American Pediatric Association, measles was eliminated in the United States in 2000, when there was a year without recording an endemic spread…
Military Families
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Legal Resources for Highly Mobile Military Families
Military families have unique circumstances that can call for out-of-state or specialized assistance. For example, when they move to a new duty station, they may…
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Temporary Caregivers of Military Children: Guide to Essential Information
If you are a grandparent, other relative, or family friend taking care of children while their parent or parents are deployed or on other duty,…
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Find Civilian Services for Your Child With a Disability When You Leave the Military
A guide to finding civilian supports and services when your service member separates or retires from the military if you have a child (including an…
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Military Family Resources for Youth and Young Adults Transitioning from High School
The links below will help you find resources for employment or post-high school education in any state to which you may move. Directory-University Centers for…
Health & Wellness
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Understanding Epilepsy: Facts, History, and Support
Epilepsy is a brain condition that causes people to have seizures. There are many different types of seizures, and each person’s experience with epilepsy can…
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Families and Youth Have a Voice on Mental Health Matters Through FYSPRT
A Brief Overview Full Article Parents and young people who struggle with emotional distress, mental illness and/or substance-use disorder can feel powerless to affect change…
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How to Have Good Communication with Your Child or Youth’s Doctor
When your child is impacted by chronic healthcare needs or disability it can be very important to learn to talk with the healthcare professionals that…
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Understanding the Health Impacts of Measles
According to the American Pediatric Association, measles was eliminated in the United States in 2000, when there was a year without recording an endemic spread…
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Does My Child Need a Medical Action Plan?
Medical action plans are for situations where a child has a life-threatening illness or condition, when medication needs to be taken on schedule, and/or they…
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Simple Instructions on How to Get Help From PAVE!
How to Get Help from PAVE (Simple Instructions) This page shares a short video that shows how to request help from PAVE. If you prefer…
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Holiday Survival Tips For Families with Special Healthcare Needs
Every family experiences holidays and end-of-year transitions differently. This article provides a sampling of ideas for families with children (of any age) experiencing special healthcare…
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Open Enrollment for Medicaid and Medicare Dual Eligibility
Brief Overview Full Article Open enrollment for Medicaid and Medicare starts on November 1st, 2024 and ends on January 15th, 2025. The annual opportunity to…
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School Services That Can Be Billed to Medicaid
Brief Overview: Full Article Individualized services that children receive through their IEP or IFSP may be covered by Medicaid. Medicaid will pay for health-related services…
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Apple Health for Kids: Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHiP) in Washington State
Overview Where to apply or find more information about Apple Health for Kids: Full Article In Washington State, Medicaid, which includes the Children’s Health Insurance…
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Glossary of Terms for Future Planning
Legal Documents Letter of intent: a personal document expressing your wishes for your child which are not included in the will. It has no legal…
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Medicaid Basics
A Brief Overview Full Article Medicaid is a federal health care program that each state manages based on their own states legislative system. It is…
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Measles, Childhood Immunizations, and Washington State
Overview: Full Article: Prior to the COVID 19 outbreak in 2019, Washington State experienced several large outbreaks of measles. Why is that an issue? Measles…
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What Will Happen When We’re Gone? Planning for the Future for Your Child with Disabilities, Part 2: Age 13 through Adulthood
Overview: Full Article Thinking about the future when you will no longer be available to help your child because of death or a condition where…
Youth
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How to Have Good Communication with Your Child or Youth’s Doctor
When your child is impacted by chronic healthcare needs or disability it can be very important to learn to talk with the healthcare professionals that…
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Simple Instructions on How to Get Help From PAVE!
How to Get Help from PAVE (Simple Instructions) This page shares a short video that shows how to request help from PAVE. If you prefer…
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So, You’ve Got a Diagnosis—Now What?
Many people say that discovering you have a disability changes everything but also nothing. What does this mean? It means you’re still you. You’ve just…
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Bullying at School: Resources and the Rights of Students with Special Needs
Students with disabilities who are bullied at school have legal protections, and schools have added responsibilities to ensure their safety and well-being. When acts of…
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Transitioning Rights and Accommodations from IDEA to ADA and 504
The table below outlines the transition from the protections and accommodations provided under an Individualized Education Program (IEP) to the rights and accommodations under the…
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Where to Begin When A Student Needs Help
Where to Begin When A Student Needs Help A toolkit to guide you through the special education process in Washington State When a student has…
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Planning my Path – A User-Friendly Toolkit for Young Adults
Planning My Path Practical Tips and Tools for Future Planning Presenting our newest resource – the Planning My Path Practical Tips and Tools for Future Planning. This…
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Library Career Resources
Whether you are a job seeker or want to improve your skills and knowledge in a particular subject area, libraries have free resources to help.…
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Apple Health for Kids: Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHiP) in Washington State
Overview Where to apply or find more information about Apple Health for Kids: Full Article In Washington State, Medicaid, which includes the Children’s Health Insurance…
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7 Factors Linked to Post – High School Success
These factors can offer valuable guidance for current high school students with disabilities, their families, and educators. By focusing on these areas, students with disabilities…
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Transition Triangle
The planning process to support a student with disabilities toward their adult life plans requires coordination and organization. This graphic provides a visual overview of…
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Healthcare Transition and Medical Self-Advocacy
When young people turn 18, a lot happens. Adult responsibilities and decisions can feel scary and confusing for the unprepared. Becoming responsible for medical care…
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Abbreviation Cheat Sheet
*Adapted from OSEP’s complete list of acronyms Washington State Specific Terms Military Terms
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Glossary of Terms for Future Planning
Legal Documents Letter of intent: a personal document expressing your wishes for your child which are not included in the will. It has no legal…