Question 1

What is the IDEA, and why does it matter for your child?

Accepted Answer

IDEA is the federal law that gives students with disabilities the right to a free appropriate public education. It requires schools to evaluate your child, create an individualized plan, and provide services based on their needs. It also gives you important parent rights during the special education process.

Question 2

What does free appropriate public education mean for your child?

Accepted Answer

FAPE means your child receives special education and related services at no cost to you. The school must provide instruction and supports tailored to your child’s needs so they can make meaningful progress. It does not mean the same services for every student, but it does mean the services must be appropriate and individualized.

Question 3

Can my child be sent home frequently for a behavior caused by their disability?

Accepted Answer

No, under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), a child with a disability cannot be sent home frequently for behaviors directly related to their disability; if the school suspects a behavior is a manifestation of their disability, they must conduct a "manifestation determination" to determine if their disability indeed causes the behavior, and if so, disciplinary actions should be focused on addressing the underlying issue through the IEP, not simply sending the child home repeatedly. Your child should not be “out of placement” for more than 10 school days, per year, prior to conducting the Manifestation Determination Meeting.

Question 4

Are general education teachers responsible for ensuring that my child receives all of their accommodations?

Accepted Answer

Yes, general education teachers are responsible for ensuring that a child with an IEP receives all of their accommodations listed on the plan, meaning they must implement the accommodations outlined in the student's Individualized Education Program (IEP) within their classroom setting; this includes actively providing the necessary supports and adjustments to facilitate the student's learning.

Question 5

Can a paraprofessional provide your child’s IEP push-in support?

Accepted Answer

In many schools, a paraprofessional can help provide push-in support when the service is planned by the IEP team and supervised by a certified teacher. They can assist with classroom support, prompting, and practice, but they should not replace the qualified staff member responsible for the instruction.

Question 6

How do you ask your child’s school for a special education evaluation?

Accepted Answer

Send a dated written request to your child’s school and explain your concerns. Ask for a special education evaluation and keep a copy for your records. You can also follow up by phone or email to make sure the school received your request and started the process. Timelines can vary by state, so ask the school what happens next.

Question 7

How can you tell whether your child is in the least restrictive environment?

Accepted Answer

Your child is in the least restrictive environment when they learn with nondisabled peers as much as possible while still getting the supports they need. Their IEP should explain the placement, the services they receive, and why a more restrictive setting is or is not needed. If the school recommends a more specialized setting, ask what supports were tried first and why they were not enough.

Question 8

Can I ask my child’s school for a reevaluation if I think that their services aren’t adequate?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can absolutely request a reevaluation for your child at school if you believe their current special education services are not adequate; under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), parents have the right to ask for a reevaluation whenever they feel the current IEP is not meeting their child's needs.

Question 9

Do you review IEPs and school documents before a meeting?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Reviewing documents before a meeting can help you spot gaps, unclear goals, or missing supports. We can help you understand what the school is proposing and what questions you may want to raise so you can make informed decisions for your child.

Question 10

What happens during the free 30-minute consultation?

Accepted Answer

During the free consultation, we listen to your concerns, learn more about your child’s needs, and talk through your current IEP questions. We also explain how we may be able to help and what next steps could look like. The goal is to give you clear, helpful guidance and help you feel more confident moving forward.

Question 11

What services does IEP With Help provide?

Accepted Answer

We support families with special education advocacy, parent training, and guidance through the IEP process. That may include helping you understand your child’s rights, review school documents, prepare for meetings, and plan next steps based on your child’s needs. Our support is personalized to your family’s situation.

Question 12

Can you help me prepare for an IEP meeting?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We can help you organize your concerns, review your notes and documents, and identify the questions you should ask at the meeting. We also help you understand what to look for in the IEP so you can advocate more confidently for your child.

Question 13

What payment options do you accept?

Accepted Answer

We accept several payment methods, including credit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Afterpay. If you have questions about payment before scheduling, contact us and we’ll be glad to help.

Find Answers to Your
Special Education Questions

Tips for Getting Quality Special Education Services

What is the IDEA, and why does it matter for your child?

What does free appropriate public education mean for your child?

Can my child be sent home frequently for a behavior caused by their disability?

Are general education teachers responsible for ensuring that my child receives all of their accommodations?

Can a paraprofessional provide your child’s IEP push-in support?

How do you ask your child’s school for a special education evaluation?

How can you tell whether your child is in the least restrictive environment?

Can I ask my child’s school for a reevaluation if I think that their services aren’t adequate?

Do you review IEPs and school documents before a meeting?

What happens during the free 30-minute consultation?

What services does IEP With Help provide?

Can you help me prepare for an IEP meeting?

What payment options do you accept?

Find Answers to Your Special Education Questions

Tips for Getting Quality Special Education Services

What is the IDEA, and why does it matter for your child?

What does free appropriate public education mean for your child?

Can my child be sent home frequently for a behavior caused by their disability?

Are general education teachers responsible for ensuring that my child receives all of their accommodations?

Can a paraprofessional provide your child’s IEP push-in support?

How do you ask your child’s school for a special education evaluation?

How can you tell whether your child is in the least restrictive environment?

Can I ask my child’s school for a reevaluation if I think that their services aren’t adequate?

Do you review IEPs and school documents before a meeting?

What happens during the free 30-minute consultation?

What services does IEP With Help provide?

Can you help me prepare for an IEP meeting?

What payment options do you accept?

Find Answers to Your
Special Education Questions