| Your child is struggling in school. This could be with | | | | school (principal, vice Principal, guidance counselor |
| academics, behavior, socialization, emotional regulation, | | | | ,etc…) a regular education teacher, a special |
| or physical development. The first thing you should | | | | education teacher, a school psychologist, a speech |
| do is talk to your child's teacher and ask if the teacher | | | | therapist, an occupational therapist, a physical therapist, |
| is seeing your child struggle as well. School should be | | | | and anyone that needs to be present to discuss |
| challenging, but not frustrating and overwhelming. | | | | evaluation results and provide input to the team to help |
| Your child should be making what is called effective | | | | determine if your child is eligible for services and what |
| progress. This means that they are learning and | | | | they will look like. |
| developing at a steady pace and at the same rate as | | | | |
| their peers. If not, you may suspect a learning | | | | If your child is determined to have a disability and is |
| disability. | | | | eligible for special education, then a Individual Education |
| | | | | Program (IEP) is developed with accommodations, |
| Request an evaluation from the school department. | | | | goals, and services. These are based on your child's |
| Always put the request in writing and address it to the | | | | needs as demonstrated through the evaluations. |
| Special Needs Department. The School Department | | | | Your child's strengths, vision and goals should always |
| should evaluate your child in all areas of suspected | | | | be included in the IEP. |
| disability. This includes psychological, educational | | | | |
| achievement, speech and language, occupational | | | | This can be a daunting process and if you are able to |
| therapy, physical therapy, social and functional skills, | | | | hire someone, such as, an advocate, or attorney, it is in |
| and functional behavioral. Check out my next article | | | | your best interest to do so. You want to make sure |
| about evaluations. Titled, Evaluations, what are they | | | | that your child gets the services and supports that |
| and what do they tell us. | | | | they need or the struggle with school will continue. |
| | | | | With fewer funds available to schools and the |
| Once the school department completes the | | | | services provided to children with special needs, you |
| evaluations, there should be a meeting called a team | | | | sometimes have to fight for what your child is entitled |
| meeting. The team includes a representative from | | | | to under the law. |
| the special education office, a representative from the | | | | |