Special Needs of a Child

A parent of a child with special needs may sometimes feel that they are in a roller coaster journey. It is filled with many turbulent emotions, complicated options and interaction with a variety of specialists.   One of the most important aspects is to determine the child’s educational needs.  Today there are various education options for a child with special needs.

Disabilities:

Parents with children who have disabilities could feel that they are at a loss as far as educational opportunities are concerned, but you are no longer alone. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) guarantee Free and Appropriate Public Education - (FAPE), along with a range of services that meet specific educational needs. The courses are designed for all ages and types of disabilities.
You as a parent can take advantage of the special education linked services   offered free of cost. This is a part of the Individualized Education Program or IEP, which is a plan for a child’s specific educational requirements.  The inclusion of parents, regular classroom teachers and the students makes the program more relevant.

Gifted Children:

Many recognized centers and schools provide for the needs of gifted children of all ages. As a parent, you could take advantage of the consultations, assessments, counseling, and other services. These groups conduct research and offer relevant publications to keep you informed of the changing educational trends and options.

The stimulating in-school and out-of-school programs help in harnessing your child’s talents in subjects as wide as mathematics, performing arts, science languages and more.

Limited English Language Proficiency: 

The educational opportunities of some national origin-minority group children may be hampered because of a poor knowledge of English. The school district offers special programs to help improve language. Students who may need support are identified. Teachers, space and other facilities are provided to help them learn the language. 
 
Please approach your child’s school and district authorities to find out more about the above options.

If you feel that your child with special need is being discriminated against, please file a complaint with the Office for Civil Rights.  Your child has the right to quality education, whatever his or her individual needs.