Qualifying Your Child for Special Education

I help parents of special needs children understand their child's rights to a public education. My firm advocates for and supports families who are starting the process of qualifying their child for the special educational services provided by law. The first step in the special education process for any child is to undergo an evaluation to determine if he/she is eligible for special education services.

Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) − the governing law Although all children have the right to a public education, not every child has the right to special education services. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA 2004), spells out who is able to receive special education services. It states that persons between the ages of three and 21 who have one or more of the conditions below may be eligible if the condition interferes with his or her ability to learn. Autism Hearing impairment Speech or language impairment Visual impairment Orthopedic impairment Serious emotional disturbance Traumatic brain injury Mental retardation Specific learning disability Other health impairment Initial Evaluation – the first step If a child is suspected of having a disability, either the parents or the school can request an initial evaluation. An initial evaluation is often the parents' first experience with the school district, and it is of utmost importance that they are fully prepared. At Equal Chance Education Consulting, LLC, I help parents prepare for this all-important initial evaluation. This assistance takes the form of: Gathering all the information required, including the original diagnosis of the child's disability. Usually, this is a medical diagnosis Helping parents find a doctor to examine and diagnose the child if needed Advising parents about any additional tests that should be considered Assembling all the necessary documents and reports to show the impact of the disability on the child's ability to learn Supporting parents through the initial evaluation process The most important goal is to get the evaluation done right the first time. Because of my years of work in special education law, I have the experience to support parents through the initial evaluation. This starts your child on the path toward obtaining needed educational services. Once a child is determined to be eligible for special education, the next step in the process is to identify the services to be provided. These services are eventually outlined in the child's Individualized Education Program ("IEP"). If you live in the Kansas City Metro area or elsewhere in Kansas or Missouri and need assistance with your child's initial evaluation, IEP (or IEP modification), or anything else regarding your child's special education needs, please contact my law firm today for a free initial consultation with an experienced lawyer. I know how to help.