18 March

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You can make Summer Camp a part of your Child’s IEP Program

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Because of Covid-19 restrictions, many of our students have spent the last 12 months indoors, looking at computer screens and trying to cope with distance learning - and unfortunately, regressing. Now that the weather is finally starting to break, we want you to be aware that Summer 2021 may be a prime opportunity for your child to reclaim their trajectory and get back on the path to progress. When a student is at risk for regression or requires additional time to recoup skills, that child is entitled to extended school year programming (“ESY”). If extended school year services are required in order for a student to...

01 March

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Promoting Independence and Inclusion

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in Special Education, Special Needs

In 1987 President Ronald Reagan proclaimed March to be observed as “Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.” This milestone proclamation called upon Americans to provide the “encouragement and opportunities” necessary for people with developmental disabilities to reach their full potential. Developmental disabilities are a group of conditions due to an impairment in physical, learning, language, or behavior areas. About one in six children in the U.S. have one or more developmental disabilities or other developmental delays. In general, the functional criteria of a developmental disability are that the person has a chronic physical and/or intellectual disability that: Manifests in the developmental years, before age...

02 February

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Anxiety’s Spiking: Here’s How to Help Our Students

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in Special Education, Special Needs

BY GUEST BLOGGER: HOWARD MARGOLIS COVID-19 has caused untold numbers of America’s students (and family members, teachers, and school support staff) to suffer mild to severe anxiety. Some will be helped by the passage of time and new coping skills. Some won’t. For those who won’t, especially those who suffer from severe anxiety, who intensely fear the future, it’s a crisis. It’s also a crisis for their families, their teachers, and America writ large. Choices: When faced with problems of this magnitude, we have choices. We can groan, pity ourselves, and fall prey to our fears. We can lament that, “The pandemic’s horrible....

01 February

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Emotional Disabilities: 504 and IDEA Eligibility Determination

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in IDEIA, Special Education

By Mariann Crincoli, Esq. Do you have a child with emotional issues who struggles or refuses to go to school, or who is unable to complete homework despite having the cognitive ability to do so? If the answer is yes, your child may have an emotional disability that may entitle her to either accommodations under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 or an Individualized Educational Plan(IEP) under the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act. 504 Plans To be eligible for a 504 Plan, a person must have a physical or mental impairment (ie. anxiety, depression, etc.) that substantially impacts one or...

01 January

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Thank you, Covid19—now my child has anxiety! What’s next?

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in Special Education

By Mariann Crincoli, Esq. Pandemics can be stressful and COVID19 has proved no different. Fear and anxiety about the disease, feelings of isolation and loneliness, social distancing, drastic changes in lifestyle, socialization, and learning platforms can be overwhelming and can generate strong emotions, especially in children. While anxiety may not always look the same or feel the same for every child, the stress associated with anxiety during a pandemic can include: • exacerbated fears or worries about one’s own health and the health of loved ones • changes in sleeping or eating habits • less opportunity for activity and exercise • difficulty concentrating • increased negative...

01 December

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Happy Birthday, IDEA!

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December 2nd is National Special Education Day, commemorating the anniversary of the nation’s first federal special education law. The Education for All Handicapped Children’s Act was signed into law on December 2, 1975. In 1990 this law was renamed The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The IDEA is a law that makes available a free appropriate public education (FAPE) to eligible children with disabilities throughout the nation. It ensures special education and related services to those children in the least restrictive environment (LRE). At Sussan, Greenwald & Wesler, our own history is intertwined with the birth of this landmark legislation. It...

03 November

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Epilepsy and the Classroom

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in Special Education, Special Needs

As a parent, you know that for a child with epilepsy, a seizure disorder can seriously impact their success in the classroom. November is National Epilepsy Awareness Month, and the attorneys at Sussan, Greenwald & Wesler want you to know that federal law, as well as many state laws, grants children with epilepsy the right to receive certain supplemental services and, if necessary, special education. These federal laws are known as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504). A child with epilepsy or another disability who does not qualify for...

31 August

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It’s Back to School – One Way or Another

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in Special Education, Special Needs

Whether or not we feel ready, the start of another school year is here. The big difference this year, of course, is the COVID-19 virus. Some school districts will open on a modified basis, but many families are continuing only virtual learning from home. Whatever this school year holds for you and your special needs child, the attorneys at Sussan, Greenwald & Wesler want to share some tips to help with the adjustment to this new school model. Staci J. Greenwald, Esq. Being proactive can help avoid problems once the school year starts. Reach out to your child’s teacher in advance and...

31 August

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Returning to the Classroom under COVID: A Planning Checklist

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in Special Education, Special Needs

When children walk into their classrooms this fall, many things will look different. Since familiarity helps children feel secure, the changes necessary to safeguard everyone from COVID-19 may upset or confuse your child, at least at first. To help parents prepare children for new school procedures, the national Centers for Disease Control (CDC), offers some ideas: Talk with your child: Describe how the school will look different (e.g., desks far apart from each other, teachers maintaining physical distance, the possibility of staying in the classroom for lunch). Ask about how the school is going and about interactions with classmates and teachers. Find out...

21 February

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Bullying Basics – Special Needs Children

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in Special Education, Special Needs

Sussan, Greenwald & Wesler works with all families whose children are involved in bullying matters as either victims or alleged violators of school anti-bullying policies. Bullying can be a devastating experience for any child and could result in long term consequences. Fortunately, due to the vulnerability of special needs children, they receive extra protection under the law. Parents of all children involved in bullying matters can invoke a variety of laws and parents of special needs children are afforded protection under laws that have been written specifically to protect children with disabilities who are bullied. Here’s Your First Step to Start...

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