This past weekend I attended the National Tourette Syndrome Education Conference in Washington D.C.  Tourette is still relatively new to our family, as it's only been 1 1/2 years since our son's official diagnosis.  This conference was the first time I had been around people who fully understand the life we live.  While it was so comforting to be surrounded by so many who get it, it was also heartbreaking to hear how many people had children (or were once children themselves) who were placed in an education system that did not understand their needs.  The lack of awareness and education regarding those living with Tourette is astounding. It is my firm belief that our education system is broken.  The method which our children are taught and the focus on standardized test performance has created an educational environment that deprives our children of developmentally appropriate practice, the opportunity for diverse and creative learning, and the social connec...

If you are the parent or guardian of a child with special needs, the public school system can be a tough one to navigate.  One minute you feel like you're finally on the right path and the next you realize how far you have to go.  Our family's ride has been a rollercoaster to say the least.  This journey has opened our eyes to the cracks within the system and fueled the desire to expose them in order to create a more productive, appropriate, and pleasant educational experience for children with special needs. As an educator with a degree in special education and a mom of children with special needs, I am completely baffled by the inconsistency and lack of transparency I have encountered on both sides of the table.  It has always been a mystery as to why it is such a challenge for people to listen to one another and devise a plan that is individualized... truly individualized ,  for a child with special needs.  It is called an IEP team for a reason:...

Resilient. If you're on this journey, I'm going to go ahead and make the assumption this word describes you and your child(ren). As a parent, you are your child's biggest advocate.  If you've been knocked down, it is so important to get back up.  You are the "expert" and know your child better than anyone else on this planet.  If your parent intuition is telling you your child's needs aren't being met at school, do your homework, present your case to your child's team, and do not accept, "No." We're on our 4th year of public schooling with our 1st grade son.  We've gone round and round about so many things over the course of those four years, but no matter how many times people have disagreed with me or told me, "No," I simply won't give up. If we backtrack two years, to the first time I requested our son have an evaluation, I was told by his principal, "There is nothing wrong with him.  He's...

So sorry for the delay!  Here is Part 2 in the IEP Eligibility Meeting series. You've completed your introductions and those responsible for assessing your child have reported their findings.  Now what? At this point, it is time to determine whether or not your child needs special education.  Please note this very important point:   It is not okay for this determination to be made prior to the meeting.  In fact, it is illegal.   The decision should be made together as a team. Absorbing all of the evaluation data and the discussion about determination can feel incredibly overwhelming.  You are not the first to feel this way!  It is also common to experience heightened emotions at a meeting.  If you need a few moments to compose yourself, request a brief break. Keep in mind this team has been put together to help your child.  While you may not always agree, it is important to keep your composure and be mindful of your body languag...

You've consented to an initial evaluation.  Now what? The school has 60 calendar days to complete a full and individual evaluation.  At the conclusion of these 60 days an evaluation report will be put together.  You should be invited to a a team meeting to discuss these results.  A written notice should be provided and those invited to attend the meeting should be on that notice. I would recommend requesting these results prior to that meeting.  I have always felt the need to be prepared for what I'm going to hear prior to the meeting day.  An eligibility meeting can be overwhelming, especially if you have not experienced one before.  Having the results provides you with the opportunity to absorb the information and jot down any questions you may have. Every eligibility meeting is unique and comprised of different team members.  It can be intimidating to walk into a room filled with many people, but take a breath.  You've got this! Th...

It was evident from the age of 2 that our younger son had some challenges.  He began state-funded preschool at the age of 4 at our neighborhood elementary school.  He did okay, but struggled throughout his time in that classroom.  He had difficulty sitting, following directions, and often spoke out of turn.  By the end of the year we, as parents, knew an evaluation and diagnosis was necessary. For our family, this is where our son's public education system let him down.   By the summer of '14, though our son was only 4, he had several symptoms of ADHD.  Tics had also emerged that spring and we determined we needed to get the ball rolling to figure out what was going on.  We made the decision to start with our pediatrician's behavior clinic. After meeting with us and observing him in the office, he referred us to a local psychologist for an evaluation.  This was an expense we had to incur, but we felt it was necessary and proceeded to sc...