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