Keeping Needed Special Education Services In Place After Graduation
Emily Iland, an award-winning author, advocate, and leader in the autism community, discusses key considerations for college bound students on the autism spectrum as they leave high school.
Ms. Iland’s insights are widely applicable to individuals with other special learning needs. The following article has valuable guidelines for all parents of students with IEPs and/or ITPs, whether their child has a learning disability, ADHD or other learning problem requiring special education services.
To help their child succeed, parents need to understand the transition process, the adult service systems, and supports that may be available to students to meet the demands of adult life. Read more
Services For Adults With Disabilities Are Discretionary
Emily Iland, an award-winning author, advocate, and leader in the autism community, discusses key considerations for college bound students on the autism spectrum as they leave high school.
Ms. Iland’s insights are widely applicable to individuals with other special learning needs. The following article has valuable guidelines for all parents of students with IEPs and/or ITPs, whether their child has a learning disability, ADHD or other learning problem requiring special education services.
To help their child succeed, parents need to understand the transition process, the adult service systems, and supports that may be available to students to meet the demands of adult life.
Special education services from age 3 until graduation or age 22 are mandatory by federal law for all eligible students with disabilities. Once special education ends, no law exists that requires or mandates that services MUST be provided to young adults. Read more
Transition For Students With Autism: What Parents Need To Know
Emily Iland, Los Angeles educational consultant and ASD spokesperson, discusses problems faced by students on the spectrum as they leave high school. Part 2 will discuss specific transition supports for college bound students.
Bright students with “high functioning” autism or Asperger Syndrome face paradoxical challenges which can look like a combination of high intellect combined with learning disabilities and/or developmental disabilities. Developing appropriate educational plans tailored to the unique needs of students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) can be the key to helping them develop and realize their potential.
Very specific concerns are relevant to the transition of these students from high school to adult life. They are likely to have a variety of needs in many different domains: academic, social, behavioral, communication, self-help, functional, vocational, executive functions, problem solving, coping skills, self-awareness, and self-advocacy. Read more
When Parents Disagree With School District Placements – Just “Stay Put”
Jeffrey A. Gottlieb, Esq., Los Angeles special education attorney, discusses a provision in special education law that many parents are not aware of, called “Stay Put,” which gives parents power when they disagree with a school district’s placement decisions.
The context of “Stay Put”
Put simply, stay put is one of the most powerful tools a parent has to control proposed changes to the placement and services offered by a school district at an IEP meeting. It is the power of a parent to say NO!
An IEP meeting is supposed to be a team meeting. The reality is that anything offered in writing at an IEP meeting is ultimately controlled by the school district. Parents DO HAVE significant influence by addressing what is in the best interests of their child; however, an IEP meeting is not a democratic event.
Nevertheless, parents have two critical tools at their disposal when the school district offers an inappropriate placement or scope of services; that is, stay put and due process.
Read more
How can I obtain the best IEP for my child?
Jeffrey A. Gottlieb, Esq., Los Angeles special education attorney, provides a useful checklist for parents to prepare for an IEP meeting. The list not intended to be exhaustive. Parents should remember that legal advice may be required for specific circumstances.
Parent IEP Preparation Check list
- Confirm an agreeable time with the school district and anyone you want to attend the IEP meeting.
- Provide the school district with written notice, via mail and fax, that you will be taping the IEP meeting.
- Request in writing a copy of your child’s entire educational file (everything!)
- Request in writing that you be provided with all new assessments, prior to the IEP meeting.
- Attempt to make an appointment to observe your child in his/her classrooms, sometime prior to the IEP meeting.
Read more
Find Me On Twitter and Facebook
