Supporting Every Step

How do I attain effective communication with the school?

Effective communication with the school is an ongoing process that requires patience, persistence, and a collaborative approach. By staying informed and engaged, you can help ensure that your child receives the support they need. In this session we will focus on communicating with the school site staff to create a positive relationship with the school and ensure that the school responds to your request. 

Which ones do I need to request and why?

Learn how to understand the assessment; how to use the information in the assessments to get the appropriate supports and services in the IEP; and what the 13 qualifiers for an IEP are.

Why is my child’s IEP qualifier Other Health Impairment when they have ADHD? 

In this parent training session, we will look deeper into the IEP qualifier for OHI and all that is covered under this qualifier. We will also discuss whether your child needs to have a medical diagnosis for one of these conditions in order to qualify for an IEP.

What makes an appropriate goal that is reasonably calculated to meaningful progress?

Creating appropriate IEP (Individualized Education Program) goals is essential for supporting a child's academic and developmental progress, particularly when they have special needs such as autism. The goals should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). In this session we will focus on how to ensure that your child has the appropriate goals that are resonably calculated to make meaningful progress. 

Why didn’t my child qualify for Autism on their IEP when they have a medical diagnosis?  

In this parent training session, we will look deeper into the IEP qualifier for Autism, which is different from a medical diagnosis of Autism. However, having a medical diagnosis of Autism will not automatically qualify your child for an IEP. 

What exactly does a Free Appropriated Public Education mean? 

What does appropriate mean? I believe that it is appropriate for my child to have a certain support or service but the school will not agree.  What more can I do to make sure that my child is receiving FAPE?

Is it ADHD, Autism or a Specific Learning Disability? 

In this parent training session, we will look deeper into the IEP qualifier for SLD and all that is covered under this qualifier. Commonly known specific learning disabilities are dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia or any other disability that causes a student to struggle in core academic subjects when tests show that their other abilities fall within the average or above average range. SLDs do not include learning problems that are primarily the result of visual, hearing, or motor disabilities, of intellectual disability, of emotional disturbance, or of environmental, cultural, or economic disadvantage.

When I ask my school for additional supports and services they tell me “We don’t do that.” Is there anything that I can do about getting additional supports and services for my child?

Students with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) are entitled to receive supports and services that address their unique needs and help them access the general education curriculum. These supports and services can vary widely depending on the student's specific disabilities, strengths, and educational requirements. In this session we will focus on what data is necessary to get the appropriate supports and services for your child. 

My child struggles with communication, should they have an IEP for Speech and Language Impairment? 

In this parent training session,  we will look deeper into the IEP qualifier for SLI and why your child may qualify for an IEP without having a problem with articulation.

Do you know what your parental safeguards are and how to use them effectively? 

In this parent training session, we will look deeper into the Parental Safeguards and how they protect your child’s rights to FAPE. 

Bring your questions and get the advice of an Educational Advocate.

This is probably our favorite kind of parent training session. The one where you ask us all your burning questions and we get to use all our experience and training to address the struggles you are experiencing. 

Bring all your questions that you have always wanted to ask but did not know who to ask. We are here and ready for the challenge! This is a great time to share, get support from others in the same situation, and learn something new!