You already have important basic information. You are the expert on your child. No one knows more about your child than you know.  You nurture, you listen, you observe, you encourage, you see how he learns, you know the strengths and the weaknesses of your child.  You know what makes him happy, and you know what ticks him off.  You know what frightens him.  You know how far that child can go before he falls off the deep end.  your understanding of this child is extremely important to the educational process he experiences in school. The newly authorized revision of recently, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), recognizes your importance and expertise as a parent.  The law encourages your participation as a member of the team that will decide the educational placement, support, and services your child will receive.

     This web site will hopefully empower you as a parent to quickly understand the basics of the law, explain my understanding of the philosophy driving that law, and help you attain basic skills that will enable you to be an equal member of the team educating your child.  As with anything, we learn from experience, and as you use these tools you will grow in your effectiveness as an advocate.  

     Each success should lead to greater success for your child.  You will gain confidence and feel more comfortable when you walk into what you may now view as the dreaded IEP meeting.  You will be more at ease in guiding your child's education and in helping the team see what your vision is for your child and his future.  You will be respected for your knowledge of the law and the special education process. You will become an equal, contributing member of the educational team.  

     I believe there is a need for a basic guide which can quickly give you insight into the philosophy behind the federal and state regulations and your place within the maze of special education.  This guide is not intended to be an exhaustive search into all the intricacies of the law.  Rather it is intended to help you, as a parent, become empowered with the basic tools to become actively involved with your child's education.  You can start utilizing those tools of effective advocacy immediately. You will feel tremendous relief as you begin to take charge of your child's educational planning.

      Each child is entitled to become all he or she can be, and you are entitled to guide him on the path to that point.  There will be many other players along the way, but you will be there from beginning to end of the educational process. For the rest of his life, your child will live with the decisions made by the education team .  You are a crucial player in the success of the journey.

     The basic tools you will need to succeed along that journey are in the pages to follow. I urge you to start slowly, absorb the information in these pages, and put the suggestions into practice as you feel comfortable with them.  

     A successful plan for resolution of difficulites will be sequential, starting with the school, then the Special Education Department, then if necessary, the State Department of Education, and in some instances, to the Office of Civil Rights or the U. S. Department of Education. 

     Hiring an attorney and entering due process is another route. However, I see this happening only as a last resort. Such cases can take a very, very long time to resolve.  The law allows for and encourages this orderly fashion of resolving problems and disputes. It works when you understand the system and can use it for its intended purpose, which is to enable your child to receive a meaningful education.

     Parents tell me the tools described at my site have been very powerful and helpful in areas other than education.  They have been successful in clarifying, documenting, and attaining medical services, social services, and other difficult-to-access resources.

     My greatest personal reward has been to watch our son mature and become an effective self advocate who can stand up for himself in a calm self-assured manner as a teenager.  It is probably the single most useful skill he will ever acquire.

      I hope my experience both as a parent with a disability, two children with disabilities, and considerable experience as an advocate, will serve to uplift you and empower you in your walk with your child. I do not claim to have professional qualifications, and in the event of a serious dispute it is wise to consult a lawyer, one who is truly qualified and experienced in the area of education law. In the meantime, if you keep meticulous written records and documentation, you will have an excellent foundation upon which to proceed.

     None of the information at this site is  to be construed as legal advice, nor would it take the place of legal advice. If you need to consult a lawyer I urge you to find one of the few who specialize in special education law.