| Are you the parent of a young child who thinks that | | | | the criteria for special education. Parents must be |
| their child may have autism? Do you think your child's | | | | included in all meetings and receive a 10 day written |
| reading difficulty may be related to a learning disability? | | | | notice for all meetings for their child. Also, parents are |
| Have you tried to have your child tested for special | | | | equal members in the team that make any decision |
| education eligibility and your school district said no? This | | | | about their child, including eligibility for special education. |
| article will discuss lies that are related to special | | | | 6 Things that you can do to overcome these lies: |
| education eligibility and 6 ways to overcome the lies | | | | 1. Go to and educate yourself about the Individuals with |
| for the good of your child. | | | | Disabilities Education Act. Then you will know when |
| Lies associated with special education eligibility: | | | | you are being lied to. |
| 1. We will test your child but we get to pick the tests, | | | | 2. Anytime special education personnel tell you that |
| and the areas to be tested. The Individuals with | | | | they can do something under the law; ask them for |
| Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) states that parents | | | | written proof of state or federal special education law |
| must give informed consent for testing (and to give | | | | that says that they can do it. Do this in writing, so that |
| informed consent the parent must know areas to be | | | | they cannot ignore you. |
| tested and what tests are going to be performed), and | | | | 3. Try and find an advocate or another parent that is |
| that the child is to be tested in all areas of suspected | | | | familiar with special education to help you navigate the |
| disability. | | | | system. |
| 2. You must sign this medical release form so that we | | | | 4. Put in writing all areas that you believe need to be |
| can get your child's medical records before we do the | | | | tested, and the reason why. Recommend specific |
| testing. Medical records are private under HIPPA and | | | | tests, if you are familiar with them. For example: If you |
| school districts do not have a right to them. | | | | think your child has Sensory Integration Processing |
| 3. Your child is on the waiting list for testing, be patient. | | | | Disorder (SIPT) ask for an Occupational Therapist that |
| IDEA does not allow waiting lists for testing or special | | | | is SIPT qualified to test them. |
| education services. Testing must be complete within | | | | 5. Ask for copies of all of the written reports (includes |
| 60 days after the consent form is signed. | | | | testing and interpretation of testing), 10 days before the |
| 4. Your child has a disability but it does not affect their | | | | eligibility meeting, and ask an advocate or another |
| education. To be eligible for special education a child | | | | parent to help you interpret the test results. That way |
| must have two things: A. A disability, and B. Educational | | | | you will understand what the test results say before |
| needs; that is it, nothing else. | | | | the meeting. |
| 5. Your child does not have autism but has an | | | | 6. If you are concerned that your child may have |
| emotional/behavior disorder. Many school districts state | | | | autism, ask for a Childhood Autism Rating Scale |
| that a child does not have a particular disability; without | | | | (CARS). When you request the Cars, tell the school |
| even testing them. | | | | that you will expect them to send you the parent |
| 6. We do not do those type of tests for initial eligibility. | | | | survey for the CARS. |
| Remember that IDEA requires a child to be tested in all | | | | By using these 6 tips you will be prepared for any lies |
| areas of suspected disability. | | | | told by special education personnel. Stand up to them |
| 7. We met and decided that your child does not meet | | | | because your child is depending on you! |