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Anatomy of a Special Education Case. What happens in a special education case? Read about the case of a young child with autism, from the original due process hearing through the decision from federal court; article includes links to pleadings and decisions. Settlement to Parents of Child with Autism. Describes issues in ABA/Lovaas case on behalf of young child with autism. TEACCH
v. ABA Debate. Pete answers questions about methods used to educate
young children with autism. ADD/ADHD Attention Deficit Disorder in Children: Deveopmental, Parenting and Treatment Issues. Typically the child with ADD experiences problems in learning, peer relationships, self-esteem, mood, behavior, and family relationships. This article discusses child development from infancy through elementary school and offers suggestions about how to help the child grow up to be a healthy . Can the School Expel a Child with ADD and LD? Answers to questions about suspending/ expelling children who have disabilities but have not been found eligible for services and protections under the IDEA. Is a child with ADD eligible for special education services? What do you think? Learn what the law says about eligibility. Teachers Who Promote ADHD. Pam Wright responds to a school psychologist who expresses concerns that teachers "promote" ADHD. Advocacy Game Plan for New Parents. An article for parents that focuses on planning and preparation. Representing the Special Ed Child: A Manual for the Attorney and Lay Advocate. Comprehensive article about representing the child with a disability, from analyzing legal issues, legal principles, analyzing evidence, getting additional evidence, through the due process hearing. Assistive Technology Why Should Children Learn to Touch-type? Technology allows people with disabilities to "work around" their disabilities and be more independent. Damages Key
Issues in Witte v. Clark County, a case about punitive and monetary
damages on behalf of a child who was abused. Discrimination Is it Legal to Send Disabled Kids Home Early? Answers to questions about discrimination and how parents can deal with these problems. . Discipline Can
the School Expel My Child with ADD and LD? What should you do if
the school suspends or expels a child who has a disability but has not
been found eligible for services and protections under the IDEA? This Kid Has a Severe Behavior Problem - What Can We Do? School personnel ask "What is our obligation to a student who may be dangerous to us?" Pete provides a comprehensive answer. Eligibility Is a child with ADD eligible for special education services? What do you think? Learn what the law says about eligibility. Eligibility: The School Says My Child is Not Eligible for Services - What Can I Do? Your child has a disability but the school says your child is not eligibile for special education. What can you do? Educational Benefit & Progress Understanding Tests and Measurements for the Parent and Advocate. To Promote or Retain. Summarizes research on retention; retention is not an appropriate intervention for children who have academic delays. Retention is Not the Answer. A North Carolina school psychologist writes about his state's policy of retaining children and ignoring research showing that retention is not an appropriate intervention. Emotions Emergency! Crisis! Help! Advice for the parent who is in a crisis and wants to do something! From
Emotions to Advocacy: The Parent's Journey. This article describes
the gamut of emotions that parents experience; why you must control
your emotions; and how to use emotions as a source of energy and strength.
Florence County v. Shannon Carter Three Generations at the Supreme Court. Attorney Pete Wright (who had dyslexia) represented Shannon Carter (who has dyslexia) before the U. S. Supreme Court. Florence County School District IV v. Shannon Carter: The Untold Story. The inside story of the Carter case from the due process hearing, appeals, to oral argument before the U. S. Supreme Court; includes Pete's history of dyslexia. High-Stakes Testing Are Childen with Disabilities Required to Take High Stakes Tests? Answers to questions about using high stakes tests for children with disabilities. Indiana
Judge Asked for Injunction So Seniors Can Graduate. Battles about
high-stakes tests are flaring up around the country: issues include
high expectations v. accountability, due process rights, obligations
to teach basic skills. Inclusion Isn't
Inclusion a Right? Answers to a parent's question about placing
children in self-contained classrooms. Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) How Many Goals Should an IEP Have? Answers to questions about IEP goals and who is responsible for long-term planning. How Can I Get My Child's IEP Revised? Can parents ask that the IEP be revised? Answers to questions about when and why to revise IEPs. How to Use a Parent IEP Attachment. If you ask for services or supports and the school says "no," use this strategy to clarify the reasons behind their refusal - and they may change their position. IEP Goals and Objectives. Article about IEP goals and objectives, objective v. subjective assessment of progress, and tips about how to get good IEP goals and objectives in your child's IEP. Question & Answer Session About IEPs. Pete answers questions about IEPs, methodology, private tutoring, and extended school year. SMART IEPs. Learn about IEPs that are Specific, Measureable, use Action Words, are Relevant and Realistic, and Time-limited in this sample chapter from Wrightslaw: From Emotions to Advocacy - The Special Education Survival Guide. (pdf file) Your Child's IEP: Practical and Legal Guidance for Parents. Requirements about IEPs, parental role in decision-making, educational benefit and progress. What is Your IEP IQ? Take this quiz to test your knowledge of IEPs. We will send you the answers by email. Letter Writing & Documentation The Art of Writing Letters. This article teaches you how to use tactics and strategies when you write letters to the school. You will learn about Blame Approach and the Story-Telling Approach; the sympathy factor; first impressions; pitfalls to avoid; and the powerful decision-making Stranger. Twelve Rules for Writing Great Letters. If you have a problem with the school or concerns about your child's program, you must document these concerns in writing. This article includes twelve rules for writing letters, along with helpful editing tips. Writing the "Letter to the Stranger". The original "Letter to the Stranger" by Janie Bowman and Peter Wright and posted on the CompuServe ADD Forum in 1994. This article and other memorabilia from the ADD Forum, including the book, Think Fast! The ADD Experience, are permanently archived at the Smithsonian Institute. Mediation The School Offered Mediation - What Should I Do? Mediation is a procedural safeguard under IDEA-97. What do you need to know about mediation? How can you prepare for mediation? What
You Should Know About Mediation. Article explains mediation process,
includes tips to help parents prepare for mediation. Records and Privacy Privacy: Child Suspended, School Refuses to Show Video of Child. The school suspended a child because of behavior; refuses to allow parents to see video, citing privacy issues for other students. What can the parents do? Confidentiality: Who Should Have a Copy of the IEP? Answers to questions about records and confidentiality. Retaliation California "Enemies List" Targets Parents. Describes efforts by the Association of California School Administrators to compile a list of parents and parent groups who were critical of schools or questioned special education decisions. Florida Jury Awards $600,000 to Parents of Handicapped Child. Jury found that school district failed to provide free appropriate public education and retaliated against parents who attempted to advocate for their child. Reimbursement for Private Placements Parents Reimbursed Costs of Private School Tuition. Describes issues in Gerstmyer v. Howard County Schools; parents of child with dyslexia reimbursed for son's tuition at Montessori school. School Culture Your Child Has School Problems: Who is to Blame? When you negotiate with the school on your child's behalf, you need to understand school culture and the beliefs and perceptions held by many people who work in schools. View from the Top: How Principals View Children with Learning Problems. As school leaders, principals define and shape the "culture" of schools. How do principals view children who have learning problems? Special Education, Other . How Can We Find a Good School District? If you are moving, you probably have questions about how to find a good special education program in the new community. Read this article for tips about how to find quality special education programs. Teacher's Rights Analysis of Fales v. Garst. Three special education teachers filed suit against their principal, alleging that he violated their rights to freedom of speech and association by ordering them not to discuss incidents relating to special education students. Includes links to decisions and pleadings in case.
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