Spedvocate: Affordable Internet Advocacy

Summer is a great time to stock up on free publications from the USDOE.  I have ordered many times from them — it’s free and I normally receive my material within 5 days!!!

Here is their website:

http://edpubs.ed.gov/Default.aspx

I would suggest getting the basics — you can order a CD of IDEA ‘04 regulations and also the book.  There is also alot of info on NCLB regs and what is actually required of schools by those regs. I have a well-worn, dog-eared copy of the regs!  I do find though, that they tend to be out of stock on some of the more popular items.

 Happy ordering!!!

Diana

I have just added seven sample letters that are examples of how to request different actions from your child’s school district with regard to special education.  They range from requesting the initial evaluation for special education services, to requesting a Functional Behavior Assessment for students whose behavior is interfering with their learning.  I also have a page “Sample Letter Narratives” that gives you an outline of why the letter is important and what to expect when you send it.

I am providing these examples free of charge because I’ve found that letter-writing seems to be one of the most difficult tasks for parents who are attempting to obtain services for their child, or to request actions that they know are necessary and appropriate for their sped child.

Please feel free to use them and if they are helpful to you, and you feel so inclined, feel free to make a donation of any amount on the Pricing/Paypal Options page.  I will use these donations to help fund my sped mini-books which will be coming soon!

Remember, you know your child best and do not ever discount your instincts in this all-important area!

Diana

spedvocate@gmail.com

This week, the Supreme Court ruled that:

‘Federal law authorizes reimbursements for private school tuition, even when a child has never received special education services from a public school, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled today.’

Here is the link from Education Week:

http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2009/06/22/36scotusspecialed.h28.html?tkn=WYWFsKmbSaxctfTEay8oeZ3tiYO7xc6omnYY

Here is the direct link to the decision:

http://www.supremecourtus.gov/opinions/08pdf/08-305.pdf

IMO, this is a huge win for parents, given that in this particular case, the parents twice requested an evaluation for sped services, and twice their child was denied eligibility.  I am sincerely hoping that this case will convince districts to fully evaluate and carefully review the evidence before deciding eligibility for sped.   In addition, if districts would begin to use their sped funding for supporting proven, research-based reading programs, it would be a great start to saving money on out-of-district placements and those very high district attorney’s fees.  Here’s hoping!

Diana

spedvocate@gmail.com

Even though I have been advocating for our children for the past five years, this website is truly a new beginning for me!  I hope you will bear with me as I build it into something that will help all parents of special children.  I intend to add links so that information regarding a host of subjects related to sped will be available.  Some of those links will be descriptions of different learning disabilities, sites where federal education law is explained in terms we can all understand, how to develop an appropriate IEP, how to write IEP goals that will benefit your child and some links to special education message boards.  I have many links I have saved over the years and will gladly pass them along.

Even though the parents I have assisted are spread out across the U.S., I feel like they are good friends and also soldiers in this ongoing struggle to educate our special kids!  Please feel free to review their letters under Testimonials.

Again, welcome and stay strong for your kids.  You are their best advocate!

Diana

spedvocate@gmail.com

For most sped parents, we breathe a sigh of relief when the last day of school rolls around.  Whether it’s been a good or bad year, we all look forward to the time when we don’t need to worry about IEP’s, homework battles, social issues, etc.  More importantly, it’s great for our kids because for the summer they get to be just kids.  It’s an important time for them to be able to wind down and be who they are (our loveable children)!

For some of our children, summer vacation simply means more remediation so they don’t fall further behind; only you are paying for it.  Tutoring, LindaMood Bell classes, summer school.  Even when our kids are formally learning over the summer, we try to work in some fun time! 

Summertime can also be a time to put together a game plan for the next school year, whether this year was good or bad.  Time to research your child’s individual learning style, and what teaching strategies can help your child master core subjects.  Also a time to go over the annual IEP with a fine-tooth comb to check for accuracy (i.e., is it what you agreed to?), check to see if goals are meaningful and measurable, make sure that the present levels of academic performance are accurate, and that all services and remediations that you agreed to are there.  An educated and vigilant sped parent is the one that will be able to get the most out of  their school district for their child.

Enjoy the summer evenings, ice cream, swimming and just lazing around!

Have a great summer and if I can be of service regarding a plan for the next school year, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Diana

spedvocate@gmail.com