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 the work and who is responsible to help. The center upside down triangle describes key questions for a student as they move through school and toward adulthood: Who am I? Read More
Category: Learning In School
Information on the process of getting the knowledge and or skill through study or experience.
Sample Letter to Request Evaluation
A Brief Overview Washington State requires special education referrals to be in writing (WAC 392-172A-03005). Anyone with knowledge of a student can write a referral. The state provides a form for making a special education referral, downloadable from a website page titled, Making a Referral for Special Education. The form is not required—any written request Read More
Behavioral Health Toolkit for Navigating Crisis, School-Based Services, Medical Services, Family Support Networks, and More
You can print this toolkit as a PDF! Click to download. When a child struggles to maintain emotional well-being, the whole family is impacted. Parents can feel confused about where to go for help. This toolkit provides an overview of information about crisis response, school-based services, medical systems, family support networks and places to advocate Read More
Behavior and School: How to Participate in the FBA/BIP Process
This training has information about how to support a child’s behavior at school. When behavior gets in the way of learning, schools are responsible to figure out what the child is trying to communicate and to teach the child what to do instead. The process of figuring out why a child is acting out is Read More
Sample Letter to Request a Functional Behavioral Assessment
When a student’s behavior gets in the way of their learning and/or the learning of others, the school is responsible to figure out how to support behavioral expectations. One way to do that is to assess why the student might be acting out and use that information to consider how positive behavioral interventions might teach Read More
ESY Helps Students Who Struggle to Maintain Skills and Access FAPE
A Brief Overview Extended School Year (ESY) services help a student with a disability maintain skills in academic and/or functional areas, such as speech/language, occupational therapy, or behavior. Due to COVID-19, the school and family may also discuss Recovery Services when they discuss ESY. A student may be eligible for Recovery Services if they have Read More
Supported Decision Making is an Option for Adults with Disabilities
A Brief Overview In Washington State, Supported Decision Making (SDM) is a legal option for supporting a person with a disability after their 18th birthday. The format for an SDM agreement is up to the individual and their supporters. A sample form is available for download from WashingtonLawHelp.org. The final section of this article provides Read More
Parent Participation in Special Education Process is a Priority Under Federal Law
A Brief Overview Schools are required to accommodate parents to ensure their attendance and participation at meetings where their child’s special education services are discussed. Those rights are affirmed in a court decision from 2013: Doug C. Versus Hawaii. A meeting that includes family is a higher priority than a renewal deadline. If a deadline Read More
Procedural Safeguards: How to File a Special Education Complaint
This training has information about parent rights and describes a process for filing a community complaint. When parents believe their child’s school has done something inappropriate related to the Individualized Education Program—their IEP—filing a complaint is one option available. This training will help you know where to get a community complaint form and walks you Read More