Special Education Law: Intensive Training for Parents
Thursday, November 13th  8:00 am to 5:00 pm

Presenters:
Timothy A. Adams, Esq.
Lynne Arnold, MA
Mitchel Perlman, PhD

Advocating for your child is a complex and sometimes counter-intuitive process. In these sessions, parents will learn the basic concepts of special education law, the importance of strategizing and how to use this knowledge to gain control of their child's education. The primary goal of this track:
parents will become an empowered IEP team member by gaining an understanding of special ed law, which then can be directly applied to their child's specific needs and situation.

This is an intensive track designed to get parents up to speed quickly and will cover extensive information. To facilitate this process, each participant will receive a workbook with supporting information on key concepts, selected sections of IDEA, background facts on case studies as well as recommended reading and resources. Videos of enacted IEP meetings will be shown to illustrate key points.

Topics will include:
--Documentation, letter writing, gathering and evaluating documents --Selecting and working with independent experts --Timelines
--504 Plans
--IEP Goals
--Independent educational evaluations
--Extended school year services (ESY)
--NRC's Educating Children with Autism
--Stay Put
--Prior Written Notice
--Least Restrictive Environment
--When and how to use the services of a special education attorney

8 a.m. Session #1: IDEA 2004 Overview

IDEA was re-authorized in 2004 and many regulations came into effect in fall 2006. Do you understand how these recent changes affect your child? Come learn the basic framework of IDEA 2004 as well as the implications of recent case law in the context of achieving FAPE for the child affected by autism.

9 a.m. Session #2: Introduction to IEP Strategy

The first step to effectively controlling the IEP process is determining the appropriate strategy to gain leverage with the school district. The IEP process will be broken down into components to teach parents how to evaluate the best course of action in each situation. We will discuss how parents can more effectively respond to district objections to parental and independent expert recommendations. Techniques for forcing district personnel to fully explain their positions and district "policies" will be explored. Parents will learn how to apply these concepts to their child's individual needs and their district.

10:30 a.m. Session #3: Assessments/Evaluations

What does a thorough assessment entail? How do you know if your child's capabilities and needs have been adequately and accurately assessed?
Assessing the child in all areas of suspected disability is the legal obligation of the district and usually the most important building block of the IEP. Without an accurate assessment, it can be nearly impossible to place the child in the correct program that capitalizes on his abilities.
This session will explore common contradictions and misinterpretations in district assessments that result in inappropriate recommendations. The most important aspects of an independent educational evaluation as well as critical ages for assessment will be covered.

Noon-1 p.m. LUNCH - Included in workshop fee.

1 p.m. Session #4: The Big Ticket -- 1:1 Behavioral Services

Building the case for 1:1 intensive behavioral services with appropriately trained and supervised personnel is often the most difficult and important hurdle for parents. Parents especially face challenges when districts create generic autism programs that supposedly meet all the needs of any child with autism. This session will focus on overcoming eclectic programs, whole-class services and other potentially in-appropriate placements.

2:15 p.m. Session #5: Creating a Framework for ³Educationally Necessary² Services

Many children miss out on needed services because districts insist they aren't "educationally necessary" or that any child who is doing well academically doesn't need any supporting services. This session will focus on connecting the dots between many aspects of occupational therapy, sensory integration, social skills training and other non-academic services to what the child needs to benefit from his/her education. Incorporating functional goals into the IEP will also be addressed.

3:30 p.m. Session #6: Advanced Strategy -- Wrapping It All Up (case studies)

Participants will have an opportunity to apply the lessons learned in the previous five sessions to case studies of three different children. In each situation, a different strategic plan is chosen which takes into consideration the individual needs of the child in the context of his/her district's autism program.

4:30 p.m. Questions & Answers