Parents Have the Power to Make Special Education Work: An Insider Guide

Written by parents who have been through the US special education system, this book cuts through the jargon to provide other parents with a no-nonsense road map full of valuable first-hand insights and tried-and-tested advice. The authors clearly describe: * the special education process, including the school hierarchies parents are likely to encounter and etiquette to be aware of when dealing with school personnel * the information parents should expect to see in school evaluations and Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), and what to do when this information is missing or insufficient * problems parents may encounter when the needs of the school conflict with the needs of a child, including how to deal with such situations and when to seek legal advice * the importance of organizing special education documentation and establishing a 'paper trail', and how to begin this process * why transition planning is so important, and transition services parents may want to consider for their child. Demonstrating that parents really do have the power to make special education work for their child, this empowering guide is essential reading for parents of children with disabilities who are new to the special education system in the US, as well as those who feel frustrated with the system.