• I think that my child may have a disability that is affecting him at school. What should I do?

If you think that your child may have a disability that is affecting him at school, you may want requesting the school district to perform a case study evaluation. This request should be in writing. If you are unsure whether or not requesting a case study evaluation for your child is appropriate, feel free to contact our office and schedule a consultation.

• How do I know if my child's IEP is appropriate?

Part of that determination is pure common sense. For example, if your child has speech needs, he may need speech/language services. Or if the school is providing your child with an aide, the IEP should reflect those services. The goals and objectives in the IEP should correspond to the needs of your child, should be measurable, and should be reviewed periodically. Your child’s IEP stays the same year after year, does not contain goals and objectives that are measurable, or is not reviewed periodically, the school may be violating your child's rights.

• I am sick of arguing with the school about my child's special education needs. I want to file for due process. Is there anything should I know before initiating a due process?

You should consider several things before filing for due process. First, once a due process request is made, the school may become defensive and/or involve their attorney. Second, a due process hearing can be timely, emotionally draining and expensive. In many cases, disagreements can be resolved without the need for due process.

If you are considering due process, you may want to consult an attorney specializing in school law to determine your options. Oftentimes, an attorney may be able to help you satisfactorily resolve your issue from behind the scenes, thus reducing the time and expense involved in due process. If you would like to discuss your options, feel free to contact our office and schedule a consultation.

• What should I do if the school is going to expel my child?

Expulsion is a very serious matter. We strongly recommend that you seek the advice of a professional before attending an expulsion hearing or agreeing to any proposal or consequence offered by the school district.