When (and How) to create a Special Needs Trust
A Special Needs Trust is one that is designed to supplement the government benefits that your disabled child receives. Because of this, they are sometimes...
The benefits of a Supplemental Needs Trust for special needs children
As a child grows up, a parent’s biggest financial concern might be saving for college. But it might be wise to look ahead even further to help ensure your son...
Decoding 504 plans: What they mean for you and your child
Written by Jayne M. Wesler Esq. As a parent, the last thing you want is for your child’s disability to affect his or her ability to succeed in the classroom....
Using PLAAFP to help your child work toward higher achievement
Written by Staci J. Greenwald, Esq. The “Present Level of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance,” or PLAAFP, is the first written statement in the...
Understanding the dangers of seclusion and restraints in special education
The use of seclusion and restraint in schools for disciplinary and safety reasons is a difficult issue, especially in regards to severely disabled children....
What least “Restrictive Environment” means under the IDEIA?
The concept of “least restrictive environment” is a core element of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvements Act (IDEIA), and was a fairly...
Knowing when to get your child the help he or she needs
There is a wide range of severity of different childhood disabilities. Many conditions may not be readily apparent and may take years to identify and...
Researches note spike in U.S. Autism diagnosis
Autism has been a mysterious condition since it was first classified, and its cause remains largely unknown, even to this day. The fact that there is little...
Early childhood benefits under IDEIA
Much of the discussion pertaining to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA) focuses on what it provides to the parents of...
Due Process and Special Education Services
When most people hear the term “due process,” they think of a person’s right to a trial before receiving punishment for a crime. However, in our legal system,...