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Special Education is the practice of educating students who have special needs in a way that specifically addresses their individual requirements. These exceptional children are typically underprepared for the general classroom setting and require a variety of special assistance to aid them in becoming better prepared to enter a general classroom environment. Special Education does not refer to disabilities nor does it reflect negatively on the child. Special Education is…

An Individualized Education Program (IEP) is a legal document which is designed to completely spell out the learning plan, needs, progress expected and accommodations a child will receive in order to improve their learning capabilities throughout the school year. An IEP is a legally binding document and requires the school to provide everything it promises in the document. By law an IEP must include: A Statement of the child’s present…

A 504 plan is an alternative method of offering accommodations to students who do not qualify for an IEP. This type of plan falls under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and prohibits discrimination against students with disabilities who are able to learn from and participate in the general education curriculum. A 504 plan outlines measures taken to accommodate children and remove barriers to learning for children who…

Both plans area designed to provide accommodations and support to children who need it while in school. Even though in many ways these two plans are very similar, there are some very distinct differences to make note of as well. Similarities: Both provide a blueprint for the educational experience of a child Both are at no cost to the parents Both provide a list of accommodations and services that will…

IDEA is the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act that is a federal law requiring schools to serve all educational needs of eligible students with disabilities. For parents who feel their child needs the benefit of Special Education services, IDEA provides the legal rights and protections needed to ensure children receive the assistance and accommodations they need in order to participate in the educational process and experience. IDEA was passed originally…

Autism, also called Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), both are general terms for a group of complex disorder for brain development. Because these disorder represent a widely varying degree of social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and certain repetitive behaviors there is a full spectrum, or degrees which a person can be affected by Autism. Autism is most often associated with a difficult in motor coordination, but is also associated with…

Down Syndrome occurs when a full or partial extra copy of chromosome 21 is present in a person. Having this additional genetic material causes developmental characteristics that have become knowingly associated with having Down Syndrome. The physical traits most commonly associated are low muscle tone, a small stature, eyes that slant upward, and a single deep crease across the center of the palm. These traits are most common, but a…

A child is considered to have an Intellectual Disability when their ability to perform intellectual functioning (reasoning, learning, problem solving) or their adaptive behavior (which is a range of social and practical skills) is significantly limited. This form of disability shows itself well before the age of 18 and covers a wide variety of factors that lead to the limited ability to process information by a child. Children are diagnosed…

A Learning Disability is a neurological disorder that often shows itself in a child who has difficulty reading, writing, spelling, reasoning, recalling and organizing information. These disabilities cannot be cured or fixed, they are something the child has to learn to live with and find ways to overcome. In many cases children with Learning Disabilities are as smart or smarter than their peers and can show signs of frustration when…

A Speech Impairment is caused by difficulty of the brain being able to communicate with the muscles of the mouth in order to create proper speech. This can show up in a wide variety of forms, mostly showing up as a speech impairment that causes the child to be unable to properly form the words with their mouth and jaw. This Impairment does not signify a disability in learning, but…

As a parent of a child with a disability you have a long list of rights and privileges that are guaranteed to you. It’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with these right prior to beginning an IEP or 504 process in order to ensure you are fully aware of what should be taking place and when with regards to your child’s educational needs. One of the most frightening possibilities…

As a parent of a child with a disability you have a long list of rights and privileges that are guaranteed to you. It’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with these right prior to beginning an IEP or 504 process in order to ensure you are fully aware of what should be taking place and when with regards to your child’s educational needs. State and federal law under the…