Fight For The Special Education Services Your Child Needs
As a parent, you want the best for your kids. If your child needs special education services, and the school is not providing what they need, you probably feel frustrated, and maybe even angry. The purpose of special education laws and regulations is to provide children with disabilities access to a free and appropriate public education that includes special education and related services.
If you have concerns that your child is not receiving the services he or she needs, the lawyers at the Law Office of Colonna, Doyle & Simeola are here to provide counsel and staunch advocacy on your behalf. Our goal is to help you ensure your child is experiencing the whole school environment while receiving the appropriate service to do so.
Assistance When You Need It
To assist you in the sometimes confusing and overwhelming aspects of the special education laws, we offer the following:
- Communication with school districts
- Organizing and obtaining school records
- Referrals to experienced educational consultants
- Advocacy
- Individualized Education Program (IEP) drafting
- Out of district placements
- Disciplinary proceedings
- Assistance with Program Quality Assurance and Office for Civil Rights Complaints
- Section 504 plans
Accommodations For All Types of Disabilities
Anti-discrimination laws require schools to make accommodations for children with physical disabilities to ensure they have access to educational services. For instance, classes held on higher floors in a school may be inaccessible for a child who uses a wheelchair. We help parents ensure their children have access to the academic opportunities to which they are entitled.
When a disability adversely impacts a child’s emotional, social or intellectual development in school, special education programs are vital to ensure the child has access to a meaningful education. Children on the autism spectrum especially need help with social skills learning. A special education program must take a holistic approach to allow children with emotional and intellectual disabilities to participate in academic and social development.
For example, dyslexia is a commonly misunderstood learning disability that has far-reaching effects on children who suffer from this disability. Dyslexia doesn’t just affect a child’s reading and writing abilities; it can affect everyday skills and activities such as social skills, memory, listening comprehension and time management. Their IEPs must reflect that.
Putting An End To Bullying
As a parent, you may already be aware that special education students are frequently targets of bullies. Massachusetts school bullying prevention efforts include a process to consider whether a student is vulnerable to bullying at the time the team reviews their IEP. As a parent, you can work with the IEP team to address the needs of your child to consider their safety. At the Law Office of Colonna, Doyle & Simeola, we help parents negotiate and draft safety plans to include in their child’s IEPs to protect special needs students. If you have concerns regarding your child’s safety, reach out to us today.
Schedule A Free Initial Consultation Today
If you have any questions, we urge you to contact a trusted special education law attorney at Law Office of Colonna, Doyle & Simeola. Call us in Lynnfield at 781-667-2658 or request a consultation using our online form.