Note: The first two texts deal specifically with special education law and the IEP process in the United States. The third book is more general in nature.
Have you ever read the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act? It starts out with the following statement of the findings of Congress (emphasis mine):
Disability is a natural part of the human experience and in no way diminishes the right of individuals to participate in or contribute to society. Improving education results for children with disabilities is an essential element of our national policy of ensuring equality of opportunity, full participation, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency for individuals with disabilities. 20 U.S.C. § 1400 (c)(1)
Whether you feel that your child’s school is working towards these results or not, it is wise to educate yourself about the system and the laws governing it so that you can be an effective advocate and member of the IEP team.
In The Complete IEP Guide: How to Advocate for Your Special Ed Child, Attorney Lawrence M. Siegel covers the rights and procedures under IDEA (Individuals for Disabilities Education Act) for children between the ages of 3 and 22. He gives information and advice regarding the entire IEP process, from getting organized and understanding the evaluations to writing goals and even resolving disputes. I have found this book to be well-organized and very helpful.
Wrightslaw: Special Education Law by Peter W.D. Wright, Esq. and Pamela Darr Wright, MA, MSW includes the text of the key laws & regulations governing special education, including IDEA, Section 504, and NCLB (No Child Left Behind), as well as US Supreme Court decisions involving this area. The Wrights offer trainings on this subject, which I highly recommend. If you cannot go to one in person, they also have a massive Wrightslaw website with tons of resources, including some online trainings.
Another book from Pete and Pam Wright is Wrightslaw: From Emotions to Advocacy, which they tag as “The Special Education Survival Guide.” The goal of this book is to assist parents in moving beyond simply being overwhelmed and becoming effective advocates for their children’s education. One really nice feature is a selection of sample letters, which cover a variety of situations that may arise over the course of the IEP process.
I’m sure there are other resources available in this area. If you have others that have been especially helpful, I would love for you to share them with me.
I'm a mom with Asperger's raising an amazing son with autism, which means I'm basically the case manager/advocate/cheerleader/chauffeur. The rest of the time, you can usually find me with my nose in a book!
