Special Education » Supplementary Aids

Inclusion for Children With Disabilities, Are There Other Options?

admin — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 01:52:01 +0000

Are you the parent of a child with autism or another disability, that thinks your child should be in another placement, other than a regular classroom. Have you been told by special education personnel, that they only offer inclusion for children, and you feel that your child needs more intense special education services? This article will explain continuum of placement options, which is part of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). By knowing the law, you will be able to more effectively advocate for your child’s education.

Continuum of placement option is in IDEA at 300.115 This section “Requires each public agency to ensure that a continuum of alternative placements (including instruction in regular classes, special classes, special schools, home instruction, and instruction in hospitals and institutions), is available to meet the needs of children with disabilities for special education and related services.”

This means that school districts can not only offer inclusion, to children with disabilities. If your child needs more intense educational services, they must offer those also. The continuum could mean more “supplementary aids and services in the regular education environment,” more resource help, special education classroom, special education school etc.

Some school districts use a cooperative type system, where several school districts go together to provide special education services. The bottom line is, that special education personnel are responsible for giving your child a free appropriate public education (FAPE).

If your school district is not giving, your child FAPE, there is a provision in IDEA to place your child in a private school, and seek reimbursement. IDEA requirements are very strict in this area, if you do not follow them, you may lose reimbursement. Make sure you understand what the law says, before you remove your child and place them in private school. The school district will probably file for a due process hearing, to prove to a hearing officer that they are giving your child FAPE. If you are able to prove your case, the hearing officer will require the school district to reimburse you for the private school costs.

School districts are required to give children with disabilities a continuum of placement options to meet their unique educational needs. By understanding this concept you can fight for the education that your child needs, and deserves.

By: JoAnn Collins

4 Ways to Use Least Restrictive Environment in Special Education, to Benefit Your Child

admin — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 20:36:47 +0000

Do you have a child with autism, or a learning disability that is in a regular classroom? Do you have a child with another disability that is in a self contained classroom, and you would like them to receive some mainstreaming? This article will discuss the individuals with disabilities education act (IDEA) requirements, for least restrictive environment (LRE), and how you can use them to benefit your child’s education.

IDEA states: “To the maximum extent appropriate, children with disabilities . . . are educated with children who are non disabled.” What this means is that children with disabilities, have the right to be educated with children without disabilities.

IDEA also states: “Special classes, separate schooling or other removal of children with disabilities from the regular educational environment occurs only if the nature and severity of the disability is such that education in regular classes with the use of supplementary aids and services cannot be achieved satisfactorily.”

IDEA requires a continuum of placement options. These options start in the regular classroom go to a special class, special school, hospital program etc.

Ways to use LRE to help your child:

1. Use the requirements of LRE, to gain access for your child to the regular classroom curriculum. Many studies have shown that children with disabilities that have access to the regular education curriculum, do better in their education. LRE requires that placement option discussions need to start at the regular classroom, and then become more restrictive, as the child’s disability warrants.

2.If your child requires a self contained placement, use the requirements of LRE to help them receive mainstreaming. When a child is young 5-9 years, there are a lot of opportunities for interaction with non disabled children. Lunch, recess, arts and crafts, music, special parties or projects. Children with behavioral issues can learn appropriate behavior by having contact with non disabled children.

3. Use the LRE requirements of IDEA to get your child a placement other than the regular classroom, if their educational needs require it. Many school districts only offer an inclusive (regular education) placement; which they are not allowed to do under the “continuum of placement options” in IDEA.

4. Use the LRE requirements of IDEA to get your child “supplementary aids and services” that will help your child succeed in the regular classroom. These aids and services can be anything that your child needs in order to benefit from a regular classroom placement. For Example: A classroom aide, an individual aide, shorter assignments, tape recorder, modified curriculum, modified or shorter tests, ability to take tests verbally, etc. The list is endless, just depends on your child’s educational needs.

By knowing the least restrictive environment requirements, you will be able to successfully advocate for the placement that will meet your child’s educational needs. Remember that LRE is different for each child, depending on their disability and needs.

By: JoAnn Collins

Special Education – 3 Benefits Your Child Could Receive From an Inclusive Placement

admin — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 17:02:07 +0000

Are you considering an inclusive placement for your child with autism,
or learning disabilities? Would you like to know what benefits, your
child with a disability could gain by being in an inclusive placement?
This article will discuss what inclusion is, and what positive things
your child can receive, from an inclusive placement. Remember,
inclusion is not for every child with a disability, but it is an
option.

Inclusion is a type of placement that is available, for any child with
a disability. The education takes place in the regular classroom. This
could be a full time inclusive placement or a part time, whatever your
child needs to benefit from their education.

3 Benefits:

1. In an inclusive setting, your child will have access to the regular
education curriculum. What this means, is that your child will
hopefully receive the same educational instruction, as children
without disabilities. Parents and special education personnel, should
have high expectations for children with disabilities, and access to
the regular education curriculum may be what the child needs.

2. In a inclusive setting, your child will also receive district wide
and state testing. This testing will bring about accountability for
your child, and will also help you understand if they are not
learning, and need a more intense placement. Keep copies of all
district and state wide testing, in case a dispute occurs between
yourself and school personnel.

3. In an inclusive setting, your child will have a greater access to
children without disabilities, which will help them develop
appropriate social skills. Children with disabilities have the right
to be educated with children without disabilities, to the maximum
extent appropriate.

Remember, that if your child is in a regular classroom, they have the
right to supplementary aids and services, that will help them benefit
from a regular education classroom. These could be anything that your
child needs; a classroom assistant, and individual assistant, shorter
assignments, shorter tests, etc. These supplementary aids and services
will help your child succeed in a regular classroom.

By understanding what benefits your child can receive from an
inclusive placement, you will be better able, to make an informed
decision about placement. What is most important is what placement
your child needs in order to learn.

By: JoAnn Collins