Few parents know the extent of services to which their special needs children are entitled, according to attorney Lisa B. Wershaw of Conrad O'Brien Gellman & Rohn, P.C. Herself the mother of a special needs child, Wershaw and her husband are a case in point: they paid for private education and services that should have been provided by their school district. Determined to help parents obtain appropriate services for their special needs children, Wershaw established a practice in special education law.
Wershaw offers these back-to-school tips to help parents get the school year off to a good start for their special needs children.
1. Establish your own goals for your child's school year, including where you want him or her to be by the end of the school year - academically, socially, emotionally - and how will you help achieve these goals in cooperation with the school and with extracurricular involvement.
2. Review the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) prepared by the school to be sure it's in synch with the goals you established.
3. Look for greater detail and reporting requirements that are part of the new IEP format which went into effect May 2004. Your child's IEP should include location, frequency, projected beginning date and anticipated duration of each specially designed instruction, modification and service to which he or she is entitled. This will help you to ensure that services are provided as promised.
4. Make sure your child's IEP contains annual goals and short-term objectives, which are specifically defined and have measurable time- limited goals and objectives so that you have something concrete by which to regularly monitor his or her progress.
5. If your child exhibits behaviors that impede his or her learning, or that of others, make sure that your child's IEP includes a behavior plan that articulates strategies and supports, including positive behavior interventions, to address those behaviors.
6. If your child is age 14 or older, make sure his or her IEP contains transition planning. This should include a coordinated set of activities designed to promote movement from school to post-school activities, including, but not limited to post-secondary education, vocational training, integrated employment, adult services, and independent living or community participation.
7. Make sure that your child's IEP team considers him or her for summer, or extended school year services. Eligibility must be considered for all students with disabilities even if you don't request it.
Conrad O'Brien Gellman & Rohn, P.C. concentrates its practice in litigation. Recently ranked one of the top litigation firms in Pennsylvania by Chambers USA: America's Leading Business Lawyers, the firm represents clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to entrepreneurs, municipalities and hospitals. The firm has offices in Philadelphia, West Chester, Conshohocken and Voorhees, N.J.
Source: Conrad O'Brien Gellman & Rohn, P.C.
Web site: http://www.cogr.com/
