| Are you the parent of a child with autism or another | | | | education classroom, specialeducation school etc. |
| disability, thatthinks your child should be in another | | | | Some school districts use a cooperative type system, |
| placement, other than a regularclassroom. Have you | | | | where severalschool districts go together to provide |
| been told by special education personnel, thatthey only | | | | special education services. |
| offer inclusion for children, and you feel that your | | | | The bottom line is, that special education personnel are |
| childneeds more intense special education services? | | | | responsiblefor giving your child a free appropriate public |
| This article willexplain continuum of placement options, | | | | education (FAPE). |
| which is part of the | | | | If your school district is not giving, your child FAPE, |
| Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). By | | | | there is aprovision in IDEA to place your child in a |
| knowing thelaw, you will be able to more effectively | | | | private school, and seekreimbursement. IDEA |
| advocate for your child'seducation. | | | | requirements are very strict in this area, if youdo not |
| Continuum of placement option is in IDEA at 300.115 | | | | follow them, you may lose reimbursement. Make sure |
| This section | | | | youunderstand what the law says, before you remove |
| "Requires each public agency to ensure that a | | | | your child and placethem in private school. The school |
| continuum of alternativeplacements (including instruction | | | | district will probably file for adue process hearing, to |
| in regular classes, special classes,special schools, home | | | | prove to a hearing officer that they aregiving your child |
| instruction, and instruction in hospitals andinstitutions), is | | | | FAPE. If you are able to prove your case, thehearing |
| available to meet the needs of children withdisabilities | | | | officer will require the school district to reimburse you |
| for special education and related services." | | | | forthe private school costs. |
| This means that school districts can not only offer | | | | School districts are required to give children with |
| inclusion, tochildren with disabilities. If your child needs | | | | disabilities acontinuum of placement options to meet |
| more intenseeducational services, they must offer | | | | their unique educational needs. |
| those also. The continuum couldmean more | | | | By understanding this concept you can fight for the |
| "supplementary aids and services in the regular | | | | education thatyour child needs, and deserves. |
| educationenvironment," more resource help, special | | | | |