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Requesting an Initial Evaluation for Special Education Services
Are you worried that your child may be struggling with a disability, but are unsure if they should be placed in a special education program? If the school does not contact you, asking if your child can be evaluated, another option is to request an evaluation on behalf of your child. The evaluation is free of charge, and you might also want to include information including doctors evaluations or teacher recommendation Here is a sample of what that letter might look like: Sample Letter Today’s Date (include month, day, and year) Your Name Street Address City, State, Zip Code Daytime telephone number Name of Principal or Special Education Administrator Name of School Street Address City, State, Zip Code Dear (Principal’s or Administrator’s name), I am writing to request that my son/daughter, (child’s name), be evaluated for special education services. I … Read entire article »
Filed under: Diagnosis, Special Education
Early Childhood Special Education
The children in early childhood special education classrooms demonstrate developmental delays, including difficulty with speech, cerebral palsy, Down Syndrome, sensory processing difficulties, and other delays that impact their learning. The focus of the programs is to teach children the skills they will need to succeed in school. The classes often have many adults in the classroom. There is always the teacher and should be an assistant. There should also be a speech therapist, occupational therapist, physical therapist, and social worker who service the program. These individuals may work with children in the classroom or may pull one or more children out of the classroom to work on the goals for that child. The teacher and therapists work together to plan how to best support each child. Therapist services within the … Read entire article »
Filed under: Special Education
Steps in the IEP Process
If your child is involved in the special education system, then you know what an Individualized Education Plan. Here are the steps in the IEP process to prepare for as you try to decide the best educational route for your child: Step 1: Pre-Referral The IEP process starts through a series of pre-referral interventions. The interventions implemented vary depending on the kinds of problems the student is exhibiting. The major purposes of this stage of the IEP process are to -Document and explain students’ specific difficulties and challenges -Test the effectiveness of the classroom setting, and how it can be changed -Monitor students’ progress Step 2: Referral If pre-referral interventions are unsuccessful, an individual is referred for special education services. Referrals can come from many different sources, depending on how old your child is. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Special Education
Asperger’s Syndrome and Your Child
What Is Asperger’s? Asperger syndrome or Asperger’s syndrome is an autism spectrum disorder that is characterized by significant difficulties in social interaction, along with restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior and interests. Children or adults who suffer from it maintain linguistic and cognitive development, which makes it different from other autism spectrum disorders. Although not required for diagnosis, physical clumsiness and atypical use of language are frequently reported. History of Asperger’s There are many questions surrounding Asperger’s Syndrome, and at this point, there are few answers. It was labeled and defined in 1944, but it wasn’t until 50 years later that it became an official diagnosis. There are those who wonder if it is really distinguishable from high-functioning autism (HFA) and those who want to abolish the diagnosis all together. Diagnosis If you think … Read entire article »
Filed under: Diagnosis
The History of Special Education in the United States
Today, children with disabilities routinely attend the same public schools as children without disabilities. But this was not always the case. Prior to legislation requiring public education for children with cognitive or emotional disabilities, deafness, blindness or the need for speech therapy, among others, parents had few options other than to educate their children at home or pay for expensive private education. The story of Special Education begins in the early part of the 20th Century. Parents formed advocacy groups to help bring the educational needs of children with disabilities to the public eye. These groups gained momentum mid-century. In 1961, President John F. Kennedy created the President’s Panel on Mental Retardation. The panel’s recommendations included federal aid to states. In 1965, Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, which … Read entire article »
Filed under: History