The Special Education Advocacy Blog

I remember as if it was yesterday, when I was in elementary school, the first sign of Back to School TV commercials put me in a spin. Fortunately, for a number of summers, I was in summer camp in late July, early August, and I missed the brunt of the marketing efforts...

Often, clients share with me the following: "Sometimes I wish school was more like summer; he (she) is so relaxed, carefree, and at ease, that he looks like a whole different kid compared to what we see during the school year."  Can you relate to this?   From my...

As the school year comes to a screeching halt within the next month, there are many opportunities for parents and the IEP team to make best use of the weeks ahead.  Specifically, since many of the state and district tests are behind us, and we all can focus on ending...

"Can parents withdraw their child for one specific service from their child's IEP or is it an all or nothing proposition?" ... I hear this question every year though the federal laws guiding this ruling have been enforced since December 2008 [Sec. 300.300 Parental...

You are not alone. Have you been thinking about your kid’s education lately; maybe wanting the very best for them and you’re not for sure if your child’s school is really making the difference you hoped for?  Maybe you have a child with special needs; do you ever get...

The notion of “gifted” - highly capable has expanded through the years to the point where it is almost impossible to nail down an absolute definition or create an identification process for Gifted students especially when we see so many gifts within ALL kids. But the...

Do you ever feel there is a veil between school and parents when it comes to the Special Education process?  So often the experience feels like the scene in Wizard of Oz when Toto pulls back the curtain and reveals the truth behind the great Oz.  Surprisingly, some...