So frustrating… your child enters the world and you are not aware of the hand that you will be dealt with. You have a child – a wonderful child whom you love so much – but they have a different style of functioning. They may respond to the world differently. They may need accommodations in school so that they have an untimed exam. They may need related services such as Speech Therapy and/or a paraprofessional to provide support in the “least restrictive environment least restrictive environment
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Your child is evaluated to determine what needs they may or may not have. You go to your local school district office to discuss the plan based on these reports and an Individual Education Plan is developed. The law states that you have rights as a parent to both participate and agree or disagree to an outlined plan for your child. I am not a special education advocate, but I work with children of different ages. Part of my work involves assisting parents with written reports to present at IEP meetings/CPSE meetings and speaking with professionals in terms of suggesting supports from which those whose skills I have evaluated may benefit.
You may be scheduling a meeting with educational attornies and trying to answer the question of “what’s next?” An attorney may advise you that your child is entitled to free appropriate education. What is that? http://www.nyedlaw.com/blog/2018/02/what-constitutes-free-appropriate-public-education.html
Over the years, I have seen children fall through the cracks and not get the services that they need. It’s in the best interests of your child to advocate on behalf of your own.
In the NYC area there are organizations such as
available to help guide you as well. Similar programs are offered in other areas so check with parents organizations supporting the needs of children such as your own.
Additional Resource https://magazine.parentingspecialneeds.org/publication/?i=646946&ver=html5&p=24
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