Disability people need education too


Does your Child Struggle Endlessly in School?

If your child is struggling withIf your child is deemed to necessitate
learning or behavior, and these issuesan evaluation, then a three-pronged
are impeding their ability to functionevaluation will begin. Your child's IQ
optimally in school, you may have towill be assessed, as will be their
consider the possibility of a learninglearning profile. A background interview
disability. The good news is that therewill be conducted during which you'll
are a ton of services available to yourprovide all pertinent information on
child, and they're free to access. Theseyour child. You'll receive copies of
are called special education and relatedthese reports within a 90-day period.
services.You'll reconvene to discuss the results
First of all, you needn't be upset. As aof the assessments within three months.
school psychologist, I see approximatelyAt that meeting it will be decided
20% of the student population for onewhether or not your child qualifies for
reason or another. Services range fromservices, and placement will be
In-Class Support to Out-of-Districtdiscussed when the Individualized
Placement, and the range in between isEducation Program is devised. You'll
significant. There are Resource Centerhave plenty of opportunities to
placements that place your child in ainterject and offer your opinion - after
smaller class environment for an extraall, it's your child! If you disagree
period each day; there are replacementwith the findings, there are procedures
classes that offer a full class periodyou can take. You can refuse services
of instruction in the Resource Centeraltogether. Remember, though, that if
instead of the mainstream environment;your child is found to be learning
there are self-contained classes fordisabled your Team may initiate a Due
students with more significant learningProcess hearing to implement services if
difficulties.you refuse. There are legal protections
If you suspect your child has a learningfor you, and for your Team.
disability, your first course of actionWhatever the outcome, at the very least
is to request an evaluation. You'llyou'll have a detailed learning profile
write a letter to your district's IEPof your child. You'll be able to get
Team and they'll have a short timethem the help they need. And they'll be
period (usually 20 days) to get hold anbetter off after the process is
Identification meeting with you. At thatcomplete.
meeting, you'll discuss your child'sNadine O'Reilly is a school psychologist
difficulties with the Team, whichand Coordinator of Special Services. She
consists of (at a minimum) a Schoolcreates 100's of special education
Psychologist, Social Worker, Regularprograms for students with special needs
Education teacher, Special Educationeach year. She is the author of the IEP
teacher, and district representative,Resource Guide, and the Section 504
which may or may not be one of theResource Guide, as well as numerous
aforementioned members. At this meetingchildren's books for toddlers with
it will be decided whether or not tolife-threatening allergies.
evaluate your child.



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