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If your child is struggling with learning or behavior, and these issues are impeding their ability to function optimally in school, you may have to consider the possibility of a learning disability. The good news is that there are a ton of services available to your child, and they’re free to access. These are called special education and related services.

First of all, you needn’t be upset. As a school psychologist, I see approximately 20% of the student population for one reason or another. Services range from In-Class Support to Out-of-District Placement, and the range in between is significant. There are Resource Center placements that place your child in a smaller class environment for an extra period each day; there are replacement classes that offer a full class period of instruction in the Resource Center instead of the mainstream environment; there are self-contained classes for students with more significant learning difficulties.

If you suspect your child has a learning disability, your first course of action is to request an evaluation. You’ll write a letter to your district’s IEP Team and they’ll have a short time period (usually 20 days) to get hold an Identification meeting with you. At that meeting, you’ll discuss your child’s difficulties with the Team, which consists of (at a minimum) a School Psychologist, Social Worker, Regular Education teacher, Special Education teacher, and district representative, which may or may not be one of the aforementioned members. At this meeting it will be decided whether or not to evaluate your child.

If your child is deemed to necessitate an evaluation, then a three-pronged evaluation will begin. Your child’s IQ will be assessed, as will be their learning profile. A background interview will be conducted during which you’ll provide all pertinent information on your child. You’ll receive copies of these reports within a 90-day period.

You’ll reconvene to discuss the results of the assessments within three months. At that meeting it will be decided whether or not your child qualifies for services, and placement will be discussed when the Individualized Education Program is devised. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to interject and offer your opinion – after all, it’s your child! If you disagree with the findings, there are procedures you can take. You can refuse services altogether. Remember, though, that if your child is found to be learning disabled your Team may initiate a Due Process hearing to implement services if you refuse. There are legal protections for you, and for your Team.

Whatever the outcome, at the very least you’ll have a detailed learning profile of your child. You’ll be able to get them the help they need. And they’ll be better off after the process is complete.

Article Keywords: Special Education

A Quick Note From The Publisher... If you like the article above, you may be interested in the following article which is also related to Special Education... Dealing with family and friends regarding your special needs child Dealing with Family and friends and your special needs child... Remember they hurt too When I first learned about my son's heart condition, all my family and friends called me at the hospital and I could not talk to anyone. I just could not hear the pain in their voices. I needed time alone to take all this in and sort it out. When it was inevitable that Marcus would come home with a tracheotomy and a ventilator (due to complications from his hearts surgery) although I was devastated, I forced myself to come to terms with it so I could bring my baby home. I can only imagine the despair my whole family experienced. It was not just Marcus, his father and I who experienced a life change. This affected everyone we knew in some way. There are a few things you will need work through in regards to your family and friends and your special needs child. 1. Try not to take it personally if they do not make themselves available for you. This may be too painful for them to get too close right away. They need time as well to work through their grief. They may not have the advantage that you do by being with your child everyday. This helps you a lot in coming to terms with your child's medical problems. You are talking to doctors, watching your child go through procedures. This lack of constant exposure will not prepare them for the reality that you face day in and day out. Give them time. 2. When they ask you if there is anything, they can do, tell them. At this point, they may feel helpless and are not sure how they can help. Let them know if they can feed your dog, or bring you some groceries while they are at the store. Maybe something as small as baby-sitting your child's sibling for a while so you can spend some time with your special needs...