Atlanta: Don't Miss This Workshop!

North Fulton Autism Support Group Meeting

Date: Sunday September 11, 2011

Time: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Topic: "Parental Rights Workshop”

This informative and highly interactive workshop is designed to get your questions answered! Allison B. Vrolijk, Esq. will outline parental rights under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in easy-to-understand terms and share tips to navigate the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process.  The floor will remain open throughout the workshop for you to ask those pressing questions.  

Speaker: Allison B. Vrolijk, Esq.

Allison B. Vrolijk, Esq. earned her law degree from Duke University School of Law and has previously practiced in the area of criminal prosecution.  She is a member of the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates and is a graduate of the Georgia Advocacy Office’s Parent Leadership Support Project VIII.  She represents children with disabilities, both in the school setting and in juvenile court.  A mother of three sons, two with special needs, Allison works to achieve amicable solutions at the lowest level possible.  Visit her at http://www.vrolijklaw.com or on Facebook atfacebook.com/SpecialEdAttorneyAllisonBVrolijk.

WHERE: Emory John’s Creek Hospital

6325 Hospital Parkway

AKA

6325 West Johns Xing (Street Name Changed)

Suite 109

Johns Creek, GA 30097

Enter through the main doors of the Hospital.  The Physicians' Plaza doors are locked on the weekends. 
Once in the main doors, head down the long hallway to the left. 
Enter the Physicians Plaza and stay straight.  Suite 109 will be on your right. 
PLEASE RSVP to debbiedobbs@comcast.net. Debbiedobbs @ Comcast.net (no spaces).  Handouts will be provided to those who RSVP.  You have permission to forward this message. This event is completely free and open to all. No childcare available.
Disclaimer: North Fulton Autism Support Group, Inc. provides general information to the autism community. The information comes from a variety of sources, and North Fulton Autism Support Group, Inc. does not independently verify any of it. Nothing presented at meetings, emails or in print should be construed as medical or legal advice. Always consult your child's doctor regarding his or her individual needs.

Additional Hospital  Directions:  http://www.emoryjohnscreek.com/about-us/map-directions.html

Time to Think Ahead

It is the middle of July, but believe it or not it is already time to start thinking about how to support your child in the upcoming school year!

If you haven't done it already, take an opportunity to review your child's records and make sure everything is  correct and in order.  I prefer to have the most recent information on top for quick access.  You can also take a look at my first post to this blog, which was all about documentation, for some helpful hints on how to organize those piles and piles of paperwork.

Next, review your child's IEP or 504 Plan and make sure that the supports and goals are still appropriate.  Has anything medically changed for your child?  Are there new pieces of information that need to be provided from summer specialist visits or sessions with the tutor?  You can either request an amendment meeting or submit the information in writing depending on the extent of the updates.

If you do need to request a meeting, be sure to REQUEST THE MEETING IN WRITING and provide your availability in the letter.  The letter can be sent via email, but be sure to copy all interested parties on the message as well.  I will be posting a sample letter or some links here within the next few days for you to reference if you are looking for a sample.

Remember that pre-planning and the first few weeks of school are extremely hectic and stressful for everyone.  Organization and patience are two of the most valuable tools you can use to help make it through this often difficult time.  And while it is definitely hard to think about IEP's and 504's when we are digging our toes in the sand, it is critical to proactively plan for the new school year to help minimize the problems and maximize your child's learning opportunities.

Hooray for Technology!

Technology is an incredible thing.  Why would you want to limit a student to merely using a "whiteboard and dry erase marker" when there are such phenomenal technologies available that can help open the world to a child with special needs?   We'll explore this topic more thoroughly in the next few weeks, but for today, here are a few things to keep you going.  

Apple (whom I adore but do not get any compensation from... apparently Oprah doesn't either as she had to beg to get iPads for her audience members) offers some of the most incredible technology on the market that affords individuals with special needs a door to the world that previously may have been locked tight.  

It is amazing to me as an advocate when I see how something as simple as a free application for the iPad can help a child -  who's diagnosis deems him "unteachable" - learn sight words.  Even more incredible is how an iPhone that is no longer being used by mom or dad can give a voice to a nonverbal child who experiences Autism, and completely change her life.  

I applaud Apple for their commitment to accessibility.  

And in the interest of Technology, here are a few other links you should check out!

The Parent Leadership Support Project is now on Facebook... Like the page and get the latest information on advocacy projects and learning opportunities in Georgia!   

Last but not least, The Right to Learn is now on Twitter.  Follow me! 

Find Me on Facebook!

Please "Like" the Right to Learn on Facebook!

Facebook - The Right to Learn

On Retention

'Tis the season for retention letters...

But before you agree to hold your child back, think about what that might mean.

If your child has an IEP, is he or she making progress on her goals?  If your child doesn't have an IEP but has been struggling, what is the school proposing they will do differently next year?  Has your child been evaluated?  Has the school indicated why they want to hold your child back?  What will retention mean for your child academically?  Socially? Emotionally?

Research indicates that retention is not the answer.  But don't just take my word for it.

http://www.wrightslaw.com/flyers/retain.promote.pdf

http://www.nasponline.org/about_nasp/pospaper_graderetent.aspx

If you or someone you know is being faced with a decision about retention, do some research, contact an advocate, and consider all of your options before you agree to retain your child.