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evaluations, special education, IFSP, IEP, IHP and transitions to adulthood. |
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| For parents of a child with cerebral palsy, identification of the need for special education is usually straightforward. School districts almost uniformly recognize that children with cerebral palsy need some form of special education or related services. A medical diagnosis of cerebral palsy should, therefore, be sufficient. The challenge will not be in obtaining recognition from the school district that your child is special, but rather it will be obtaining the special services your child needs as soon as possible. Doctors, organizations and other parents can be extremely helpful in the initial stages of your child’s education. Do not be discouraged if your child’s condition is not fully understood, diagnosed, or “labeled”. In addition, if your child is between the ages of 3 and 9, IDEA specifies that states may provide services to children who are experiencing some sort of developmental delay, but do not have a formal diagnosis of disability. States are not required, however, to allow the use of the “developmental delay” label to establish eligibility for special education services. They can also limit the age range that the “developmental delay” label may be used for; for instance, for children aged 3 to 6. Contact your local Board of Education to find out your county’s or state’s policy on using the “developmental delay” label.
If you do not agree with your child’s evaluation, it is doubtful that you will agree with the individualized education program (IEP) that is formulated as a result of the evaluation. You can always obtain an independent evaluation of your child. Sometimes the school agrees that there is a need for a second opinion and sets up the evaluation. If arrangements are made through the school, the school pays for the independent evaluation. If you wish to make the appointment and seek the second opinion independently, you will be required to pay for the cost. In either case, the school must provide you with names of other professionals who can provide the assessment. Parent groups are good resources for information and for recommending specialists, too. Local hospitals often have specialists on staff that get together as a team to provide assessments. The people who evaluate your child explain their findings, what tests they used, and the scores your child achieved. You should definitely share your observations about your child with these specialists, as they are required to take that into account. After the evaluation is complete, an IEP meeting will be scheduled. At this meeting, the specialists will present their findings, and on the basis of the evaluation, the IEP is developed, and you will be asked to sign it. The plan lays out exactly what the school intends to do in the school year. Every following year, the school is required to hold a meeting with you to discuss your child’s progress and his or her IEP for the next year. Never settle on anything that you aren’t comfortable with in the evaluation of your child and the formation of his or her IEP. You have the right as his or her parent to protect your child’s right to an education. |
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Home | Family | Early Intervention | Education | Parent and Individual Rights | Evaluations |
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evaluations, special education, IFSP, IEP, IHP and transitions to adulthood. |