Know Your Rights: Disability Manifestation Determination for Your Child
3/5/2006
The new article of Dr. Boris Gindis spells out what and why should be done by the parents of internationally adopted children in regards to their child’s behavior issues at school. The author explains the importance of being well informed about the current laws (IDEA 2004) and the benefits of having a professional on your side when resolving contentious situations related to behavior of your child at school.
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Robert K. Crabtree, Esq.
Mistakes People Make in the Special Education Process. Part 1 - Mistakes Made by Parents
6/20/2006
In my practice as a special education attorney for parents and students for more than twenty-five years, I have seen certain issues and frustrations expressed repeatedly. I have written a series of short articles to discuss some of the mistakes people make in the special education process that often cause or exacerbate those issues and frustrations. The articles focus in turn on mistakes commonly made by parents; school districts; independent evaluators; and, finally, advocates for parents and students.
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Robert K. Crabtree, Esq.
Mistakes People Make in the Special Education Process. Part 2 – Mistakes Made by School Districts
6/27/2006
This is the second of a series of short articles I have written to discuss some of the mistakes people make in the special education process. This article focuses on mistakes commonly made by school districts. A general theme ran through the comments I received from attorneys, advocates and parents while I prepared this article: anything a school system does that undermines parents’ trust creates a climate that is costly in dollars, time, peace of mind and the quality and success of services given to the child.
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Robert K. Crabtree, Esq.
Mistakes People Make in the Special Education Process. Part 3 - Mistakes Made by Independent Evaluators
7/5/2006
As informed and articulate as some parents may be, they usually cannot make a case for particular services or programs for their child without the help of a competent and credible independent evaluator. In due process hearings there is usually no more important witness for the family. Even with such an evaluator it can be a steep uphill fight for services because of the deference that is given under IDEA to school districts in special education proceedings, but without such an evaluator there often is no chance at all.
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Robert K. Crabtree, Esq.
Mistakes People Make in the Special Education Process. Part 4 – Mistakes Made by Advocates
7/15/2006
In other articles of this series I have discussed some common mistakes parents and school systems make that tend to undermine the system’s ability to respond effectively to a child’s special education needs. In this piece I turn to the more serious mistakes that parent advocates sometimes make with equally detrimental effects.
