Your Child at School
By Terri Mauro, About.com Guide
Special Education
We all want our children to reach their maximum potential -- but sometimes it seems like we have to fight with the schools every step of the way. Whether your child is in inclusion or a self-contained class, in a special school or homeschooled, you'll need to be an effective advocate and make the most of your child's educational opportunities.
- Special Education School
- What Is an IEP?
- How to Get an IEP for Your Child
- Before You Go to an IEP Meeting
- Before You Sign an IEP
- Choose the Right Placement for Your Child
- The Seven Deadliest Special-Education Sins
- Books on Special Education
- Special Education Acronyms
- Special Education News
Section 504
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act requires that accommodations and modifications be implemented to level the playing field for students with disabilities. Learn what a 504 can offer, and whether this is the best solution for your child.
- What Is a 504 Plan?
- How 504s Differ from IEPs
- How to Get an 504 for Your Child
- Are 504 Plans Really Necessary?
Early Intervention
Many children with special needs get services and therapies they need through the school system, but if your child is younger than school-age, you can still find assistance. Most states offer some form of "early intervention" program that offers therapy -- sometimes in groups, sometimes individually in your home -- at little or no cost. And even day care programs can sometimes be configured to meet your child's special needs.
- What Is Early Intervention?
- Five Bad Reasons to Avoid Early Intervention
- Take a Look at Your Child's Learning Environment
- Before You Pick a Preschool or Daycare
Preparing the School for Your Child
It would be nice to believe that teachers are experts in all special needs, but chances are, you're the one who will have to clue them in about your child's particular issues.
- Preparing the School for Your Child With Special Needs
- How to Assemble a Teacher Information Packet
- What Parents Would Like Special Educators to Know
School Strategies
Helping your child learn may involve study techniques, special tools, repetition and reinforcement, or working with the school to get appropriate supports.
- Get an Extra Set of Textbooks
- Pick a Student Planner
- Pick a 3-Ring Binder
- Pick the Perfect Pencil
- Study Buddies Help Facts Stick
- Special-Needs School Tools
- Ten Reasons to Try Flashcards
- Motivating Bookmarks
- Keep Learning Going During School Breaks
- Texts for Summer Learning
Behavior and Discipline
Students with special needs have certain rights when it comes to disciplinary measures the school can take against them, but those who plan their IEPs have definite responsibilities in making sure supports are in place to keep them from misbehaving in the first place. Learn how to keep your child's behavior from getting in the way of an appropriate education.
- What Is a Functional Behavioral Assessment?
- What Is a Behavior Intervention Plan?
- Write Your Own Behavior Plan
- Stop School Behavior Problems Before They Start
- Five School Trouble Spots to Stay On Top Of
- Help Your Child Sit Still
- Dress for Less Stress
- Is Zero Tolerance Unfair to Students With Special Needs?
Homework Help
Homework is a fact of school life, and one your special child should have to deal with just like anybody else. With your help, though, it doesn't have to be so traumatic.
- Before You Help Your Child With Homework
- Homework Help for Kids With Special Needs
- Focus Attention on Math Worksheets
- How to Write a Paragraph
School Advocacy
Sometimes it means fighting tooth and nail, and sometimes it just means being an available and cooperative presence. Either way, advocating for your child's education makes you an effective part of the education team.