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 unmet needs and may need new or different school-based services, figuring out what to do next can feel confusing or overwhelming. PAVE provides this toolkit to support families in taking initial, critical steps. These guidelines apply regardless of where school happens.
Presenting our newest resource – the Where To Begin When a Student Needs Help. This user-friendly toolkit has been created to give you and your family the guidance you need when you are navigating the special education process in Washington State.
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Evaluations Part 1: Where to Start When a Student Needs Special Help at School
When a student is struggling in school and may have a disability, families can request a formal evaluation to explore eligibility for special education services.…
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Your Child’s Application for Developmental Disabilities (DDA)
A Step -by-Step guide to submitting and application for DDA on behalf of your child. The Washington State Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) provides services for…
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Steps to Read, Develop, and Understand an IEP Worksheet
The IEP document is a lot to absorb. You will be better prepared to support your child when you review the IEP draft before meeting…
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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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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…
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Special Education Terms
Glossary of Terms Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR): also known simply as dispute resolution or procedural safeguards; options for resolving disagreements between parents and school districts;…
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Who’s Who on the IEP Team
The IDEA requires that certain individuals be included in the IEP team, and their input is valuable in creating a plan that addresses the unique…
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Communication Log
Maintaining a clear record of who said what and when is simplified with a school communication log. This tool streamlines the organization and retrieval of…
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Educational Program Options for Children Aged 3-5 Years Old
Inclusion Preschool Programs Inclusion preschools, sometimes called developmental preschools, are special classes in the school district for children aged 3 to 5 with special needs.…
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Preparing for Productive and Effective Conversations with Education and Service Providers
Here are our top three tips for making every conversation with your child’s IFSP or IEP team an opportunity to show them what makes your…
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Common Accommodations and Modifications in an IEP For 3-5 year old’s
Accommodations and modifications for 3-5-year-olds should be tailored to meet the unique needs of each child. These young children may have various developmental, cognitive, and…
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Your Child has Met the Eligibility for an IEP – Preparing for the IEP Meeting
Use this checklist to prepare for the meeting to discuss special education and related services with your child’s IEP team.
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What You Need To Know About My Child
Using the guiding questions below, prepare a one-pager of skills, challenges, concerns, and interests of your child on the next page. Hello My Name is…
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Sample Letter to the IEP Team – Today Our Partnership Begins
This sample letter introduces a child to members of the IEP team by highlighting their strengths and individual personality, while also providing strategies and information…
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What to Expect at the Transition Conference: Going from Part C to Part B
You can utilize this document when preparing for the transition planning process to collect essential Part C data that will be taken into account during…
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Differences Between Part B and Part C Services
The Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) ends when a child turns 3. Transitioning to a services under an Individualized Education Program (IEP) requires a new…
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Pathways to Support: Where to Begin If Your Child Receives Services Through Early Support for Infants and Toddlers (ESIT)
When an infant or toddler receiving early intervention services from Washington’s Early Support for Infants and Toddlers (ESIT) program approaches the age of three (3),…
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Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP), Part 1: What Makes a Military Family Exceptional?
A Brief Overview Full Article The Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) is a mandatory program for all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces that helps…
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Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
A Brief Overview Full Article What Is SSI? Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a monthly financial benefit from the Social Security Administration (SSA) to people…
- Pierce Parent to Parent Program – Pierce County Parent to Parent (P2P) is part of the national network focused on support, training, technical assistance, and education to parents and caregivers of individuals with disabilities and/or special healthcare needs. The program also helps reduce isolation by connecting families with others who understand their experiences. Visit Parent to Parent USA to find support across the country and/or to share with others.
- In WA, Pierce P2P, is a program of PAVE and partners with Pierce County Human Services and The Arc of Washington State which coordinates P2P in other counties. To find P2P in your county or to share with others here is a listing across WA.
- In WA, Pierce P2P, is a program of PAVE and partners with Pierce County Human Services and The Arc of Washington State which coordinates P2P in other counties. To find P2P in your county or to share with others here is a listing across WA.
- Lifespan Respite – PAVE LRW staff administers the Lifespan Respite Voucher program for unpaid, unserved family caregivers of all ages, across Washington State.