Email Your Guide

Like all the Guides at About.com, I'm a real person. You can email me at specialed.guide@about.com.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Sample Callouts:

Q. I am attending my child's first IEP meeting, what should I expect and what is my role?

A. Your role is to be the parent who knows what is best for your child. You are your child's advocate and provider, it is up to you to ensure that your child receives an academic program that meets his/her needs. You are one of the members of a team of professionals, discussing and planning a program that is unique to your child. You can expect to be overwhelmed and at times feel intimidated. You know what works and what doesn't work for your child. Do not be afraid to speak up; ask questions and make suggestions. Remember, the expectations put upon your child in a classroom can and usually are a lot different than what you expect from them at home. It's is a good idea to keep an open mind and consider the requests of the classroom teacher too.

Q. My child's teacher thinks that my son might have a learning disability and wants to test him. What do I need to know before allowing the test to be administered?

A. Find out what observations the teacher has made that leads them to believe that testing is necessary. Find out what test(s) would be used and who would administer them. Ask what the results will mean to your sons academic program and class placement. Find out what you can do to prepare your child for the test. Testing does not need to be considered a negative thing, determining your son's strengths and needs will help his teacher provide a more individualized program to meet the needs of your son.

Visit the Special Education Forum! I check the forum at least once a day. It's a great place to get answers to your questions, find and post your questions and concerns and meet a some great people too!