Parents of Special Needs Children (Edison, Passaic: lawyer, school districts, law)

[leo06]

I am looking for resources for children that have an IEP and their current district is unable to accommodate them. Specifically for ages 14 - 21. Thanks for your input.

[daliowa]

Originally Posted by leo06

I am looking for resources for children that have an IEP and their current district is unable to accommodate them. Specifically for ages 14 - 21. Thanks for your input.

It is the law that the school district has to accommodate your child. Some school districts will refuse to comply.

You can start by hiring a parent advocate. The next step would be to hire a lawyer.

Another option (which many parents are forced to do) is to move to a school district that obeys the law.

[RobRiguez]

yep, some of the abbot districts simply refuse to do anything unless you fight tooth and nail for it. We eventually had to go to the Mayor to get help and when we did, we had a new Superintendent and Principal in place the next year.

It is the law that they HAVE follow the IEP. If you are getting no-where, its time to lawyer up or move.

We have had ZERO issues once my GF son moved to Edison withus a few years ago. They were hesitant to comply with a few items on the IEP from the previous year as they did not feel it was necessary. After the first marking period, we had another meeting and they saw why those items were on there. Her son (13 going into 8th grade this year) now gets everything he needs with no fuss and not only does he like going to school now, hes also finally out of his last remedial class with all A's and B's last year. So nervous yet so proud to have him in general classes this year.

Next year in HS will be another hurdle, he does NOT do well with change, but, we can only go one day at a time.

Good luck, its an uphill battle.

[HeatherLynn822]

This is a great group: Statewide Parent Advocacy Network, Inc. | Supporting Parent Advocacy-SPAN
They may be able to provide you with an educational advocate if needed.

If you don't mind me asking, what is the nature of your child's disability?
There may be a more specific resource available to you.

[daliowa]

Originally Posted by HeatherLynn822

This is a great group: Statewide Parent Advocacy Network, Inc. | Supporting Parent Advocacy-SPAN
They may be able to provide you with an educational advocate if needed.

If you don't mind me asking, what is the nature of your child's disability?
There may be a more specific resource available to you.

In our case SPAN was beyond useless. All they would do was give us copies of the laws. That's it, period.

Nothing changed until we hired a Parent Advocate. Perhaps others have had a different experience.

[leo06]

I work at a private school for students with various disabilities, mainly learning disabilities. My high school is equipped to work with students to the age of 21 if needed due to their IEP, mainly for transition issues. As the School Social Worker I like to have various resources for my parents. Specifically looking for any networking events that I could send my parents to throughout Bergen, Passaic, Morris, Hudson, Middlesex and Union Counties as these are the counties we currently service. Thank you so much for all of your input.

[teachbeach]

Originally Posted by leo06

I am looking for resources for children that have an IEP and their current district is unable to accommodate them. Specifically for ages 14 - 21. Thanks for your input.

If they can't accommodate then they must find suitable, appropriate education for the student and pay for the services they can not provide. Hire a parent advocate, go to county Superintendent, contact State Department of Education. Don't give up!

[basal1999]

anyone know about spec ed in scotch plains, bridgewater and surrounding towns?

i can't find people talking about this anywhere..

[mpankajkumar]

Any one has experience about third grade special education ( IEP) at edison school districts, please tell me your experience.