In This Issue . . .

• Strategies for AT Negotiations
• AT Success Story
• Special Factors: Communication Problems
• E-Reader: From Emotions to Advocacy
• Find Help! Yellow Pages for Kids

Circulation: 82,039
ISSN: 1538-320
October 26, 2010

You've learned that IDEA requires IEP teams to consider the AT needs of your child - at school, at home, and in the community.

You may need to request an IEP meeting to review your child's needs if:

• the IEP team has not yet considered your child's need for AT
• you believe your child's AT device (or service) is not appropriate
• you believe your child needs additional AT devices or services

In this issue of the Special Ed Advocate, you will learn strategies for negotiating with the school if you do not agree with the decisions concerning assistive technology. You'll find information and resources to educate yourself about AT so you will be able to advocate for your child's technology needs.

Please don't hesitate to forward this issue to other friends, families, or colleagues.

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Strategies for Assistive Technology Negotiations with the School

If the IEP team determines that your child needs assistive technology devices and services, the school district is responsible for providing these and cannot use lack of availability or cost as an excuse.

Read more Strategies for Assistive Technology Negotiations by Dave Edyburn, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee. You will find resources for supporting these strategies.

A Wrightslaw Family Success Story

Becky writes she would love to hear from other Wrightslaw families...

One family writes about their creative problem solving in AT Solutions: Persistence (and effective advocacy) Pays Off.

Don't allow yourself to get bogged down in negative emotions or waste your energy debating about the unfairness of a situation. Learn to think creatively to solve school problems.

More Success Stories about "win-win" strategies.

IDEA includes a section about developing IEPs for children with special factors - including children with communication needs. The IEP team shall “consider whether the child needs assistive technology devices and services.”

Advocating for a Child with Communication Problems

More about Assistive Technology - AT Funding Information and Resources.

When will Wrightslaw books be available for an e-Reader? I use my Kindle all the time, even when my hands are occupied. I love the text-to-speech feature.

Do you use an e-Reader? Would you be interested in adding the FETA book to your e-library? Please let us know.

As we develop a digital format edition of our best-seller Wrightslaw: From Emotions to Advocacy, we'll keep you posted on the status. Stay tuned.

"How can I find an AT evaluator - attorney - advocate - consultant?"

Would you or your organization like to be listed in the Yellow Pages for Kids?

Do you help parents and caregivers get special education services for children with disabilities?

To place your listing on the Yellow Pages for Kids site, fill out and submit the application.

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