Special Education is defined by law as “specifically designed instruction that meets the unique needs of a child with a disability.” Depending on your child’s disability, the public school system offers a wide range of services and support, including Special Education, related services,transition services, supplementary aids, testing accommodations, assistive technology and transitional supportive services. The Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) was created in 1975 to entitle children with disabilities to “free and appropriate” education. In the past, many students with disabilities were placed in separate classes focusing on their needs and generally did not integrate with the general student population; however, IDEA was revised in 1997 to ensure that children with special abilities to have access to a general curriculum, and new laws in New York require the districts to place students with disabilities in the least restrictive environment possible.

Trying to navigate the admissions process for a normal child is difficult. The process for obtaining the appropriate services for a child with disabilities is much more involved and time consuming. We can help. In addition, good sources of information regarding your public school options, include Advocates for Children (www.advocatesforchildren.org), the Least Restrictive Environment Coalition (www.lrcoalition.org) and Inside Schools (www.insideschools.org).

Obtaining Public Special Education Services

To obtain public Special Education services, you must follow the following four-step process:

1) Refer your child for evaluation and provide written consent for your child to be evaluated

2) Evaluate your child’s disabilities by a school district’s evaluator or a private evaluator

3) Develop an Individual Education Plan

4) Receive a Special Education placement