| Are you the parent of a child with autism that has | | | | used as a basic for the proposed orrefused action;c. A |
| been trying toadvocate, for a specific educational | | | | statement that the parents of a child with a disability |
| service for your child? Are youthe parent of a child | | | | haveprotection under the procedural safeguards of |
| with learning disabilities, who feels that theyneed an | | | | this part . . .d. Sources for parents to contact to obtain |
| Orton-Gillingham based reading program, but have no | | | | assistance inunderstanding the provisions of this part;e. |
| been ableto convince special education services? Prior | | | | A description of other options considered by the IEP |
| Written Notice (PWN) mayhelp you in your fight. This | | | | team and thereason why those options were |
| article will discuss what the Individualswith Disabilities | | | | rejected;f. A description of the factors, that are |
| Education Act (IDEA) requires as far as PWN, so | | | | relevant to the agency'sproposal or refusal. |
| thatyou can use it to advocate for needed educational | | | | For example: You believe that your 7 year old with a |
| services, for yourchild. | | | | learningdisability needs an Orton-Gillingham based |
| Prior written notice must be given according to IDEA, | | | | program. You bring it up atyour child's IEP, and the IEP |
| "whenever thelocal educational agency (your local | | | | team refuses to discuss it. You shouldask for PWN, |
| school district) a. they proposeto initiate a change or b. | | | | which must include the above 6 items. |
| refuses to initiate or change, theidentification, evaluation | | | | Once you receive PWN, you will understand why |
| or educational placement of the child, orthe provision of | | | | special educationpersonnel are refusing to give your |
| a free appropriate public education to the child." | | | | child, an educational service thatthey need. You can |
| PWN must contain:a. Description of the action | | | | decide, whether you would like to file for a dueprocess |
| proposed or refused by the agency;b. An explanation | | | | hearing, to prove that your child needs the |
| of why the agency proposes or refuses to take | | | | Orton-Gillinghamreading program. |
| theaction and a description of each evaluation | | | | While PWN can be difficult to understand, your taking |
| procedure, assessmentrecord, or report the agency | | | | the time tolearn about it, will be beneficial to your child. |