A Brief Overview Full Article Parents of individuals with autism have many different experiences when watching their child’s development, navigating school years and relationships, and building community and belonging. When developmental milestones aren’t met in typical timeframes, families may seek a diagnosis, medical interventions, and/or support from school. CDC numbers show that 1 in 36 Read More
Category: What Questions Can I Ask
Questions to ask your child’s teacher, IEP team, and other professionals regarding your child’s educational goals and progress.
How to Request an Evaluation for an Individualized Education Program (IEP)
Use this step-by-step checklist to track your child’s progress through the evaluation process. Child Find is the requirement that all school districts must identify all children within their boundaries, ages birth through 21 who have disabilities. Any child can be brought to the attention of a school district by any person (parent, school personnel, or Read More
IEP Tips: Evaluation, Present Levels, SMART goals
Getting services at school starts with evaluation. Eligible students get an individualized Education Program (IEP), which describes a student’s present levels of performance and how specially designed instruction supports progress toward annual goals. This article provides a quick overview of the basic IEP process and provides tips for family caregivers to get more involved. PAVE Read More
Special Education Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my child has a developmental delay? If you suspect that your child might have a developmental delay, you should talk with your child’s pediatrician. They may conduct a developmental screening. Where can I learn more about tracking milestones? The Learn the Signs. Act Early website includes tools for tracking milestones Read More
Surrogate Parents Support Unaccompanied Students in Special Education
A Brief Overview Full Article If a student eligible for special education services does not have a family caregiver, adoptive parent, or other legal guardian fulfilling the role of parent, then a surrogate parent is assigned to ensure the student’s rights are protected. The surrogate parent fulfills the family caregiver role on a student’s Individualized Read More
PAVE Provides Sample Letters to Support Families in their Advocacy
An advocate is someone who works toward a cause or goal. Sometimes the hardest part of advocacy is figuring out what to do next. When a child has unmet needs at school, family advocates can seek changes to a student’s services by asking for an evaluation, a meeting, a behavioral assessment, or something else. Putting Read More
Behavioral Health and School: Key Information for Families
When a student struggles to maintain well-being, achievement at school can be a challenge. This video provides key information for families to seek school-based services for behavioral health needs. Included are two advocacy statements that this information might empower you to say in a meeting with the school: “I want to make sure my student’s Read More
Navigating Special Education in Private School
A Brief Overview When a family chooses to enroll their student with disabilities in a private school, they have different rights. Those rights are summarized in this article and further explained by U.S. Department of Education guidance issued in February 2022. School districts are responsible to seek out and evaluate all students suspected of having disabilities Read More
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 need to find a lawyer in the state to which they are moving to help them establish a new guardianship for an adult child with disabilities. Fortunately there is an Read More
Evaluations Part 2: Next Steps if the School Says ‘No’
A Brief Overview Full Article Parents have a variety of choices if the school denies a request to evaluate a student for special education or if the school does an evaluation and finds the student ineligible for services through an Individualized Education Program (IEP). Here are some options to consider. Is disability a factor? A student qualifies for IEP services when three Read More
Get SMART About Tracking Progress and Updating Goals with Your IEP Team
Holiday break is a good time to check on your student’s progress in school. You can take another look at the Individualized Education Program (IEP) and compare the goals to current progress. If you don’t have a current progress reports on IEP goals, mid-year is a good time to ask school staff to provide them. Read More
Developmental Disabilities Ombuds
By Tim McCue Self Advocacy Educator Pronouns: he/him/his Office of Developmental Disabilities Ombuds The Developmental Disabilities Ombuds; what are they all about? Are you frustrated with your DD services? We are here to help! An ombuds is a person who makes sure that people who are getting a certain type of service have protection and Read More
DDA Access Series 1 Eligibility
Suspension Know your Rights
A Dear Colleague Letter The US Department of Education (DOE), in an effort to keep families and educators informed, has produced a number of Dear Colleague Letters on topics of concern. Among these are two addressing issues around discipline, suspension/expulsion, and the use of School Resource Officers (SRO’s). These are critical topics of concern considering the Read More
What Are Your Rights and Responsibilities to an Appropriate Education for your Child with a Disability?
As the parent of a child who has disabilities, you have the right to: Expect a free, appropriate public education (F.A.P.E.) for your child. Refer your child for an evaluation for a 504 plan and/or for special education. Meet with the school district to decide whether or not to evaluate your child to determine if he Read More