Parental Resources

By Allegra

Montemayor

Families with Special Needs Children

The Family Village

This web site provides many resources to families who want to learn about their child’s diagnosis. Also they

provide links to assistive technology and are directed to products that may benefit their child such as

communication aids, computer software, headgear, wheelchairs, and so forth. Other links direct families to their legal rights and what that entails. What I enjoyed

about this web site is that there is a link providing articles that include leisure activities families can have their

children participate such as physical fitness for people with disabilities, conditioning with physical disabilities, which is

a guide for all levels of physical disabilities, and many more. If you scroll down, there are products that families

can look into and maybe purchase for their child. This web site overall is a great link for families who want to learn

about more resources available to them.

Parenting Challenges

Parenting Challenges

This link talks about the many challenges that parents may face with their child with specials needs. It goes into issues such as marriage problems, teasing in school for their children, improving their education and the

challenges they may face during that time, and many other internal issues such as self-esteem and depression. There are many links on articles

discussing issues such as building trust when children have special issues, learning tricks, Autism, self-esteem builder, tips on dealing with teasing, and so forth. This web site was formed by a woman named Judith Lavin, who is an author and former journalist with the Chicago Sun-Times. Her

book is called Special Kids Need Special Parents, and you can purchase this book on this website. Overall, really helpful resources that she provides for

parents and even has link where you can ask her questions about your child or any issue.

Autism

Autism

Autism Speaks

This is a web site that talks about Autism and giving parents an

overview of the disorder. They also provide links for families on how to cope, how to grow with it, and ways

families can help their child with Autism. This is a very useful web site

which is easy to use and gives parents information on additional resources such as organizations that provide more information and support for

families.

Fragile X

Fragile X

This is another website in relation to the Autism Spectrum called Fragile X.

There are many frequently asked questions about Autism in general and Fragile X is another disorder that falls

under the Spectrum. This link provides information about Fragile X: what it is,

the cause of it, some of the characteristics, latest interventions

such as assistive technology, intervention for sensory integration,

speech and language therapy, and many others. It is important for

parents to know that early intervention is vital and this link provides useful information for

parents that have a child with Fragile X.

Resources for

Legal Issues

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504

These links provides parents information on

Section 504, which is law that “provides services to

students who have physical or mental impairments.” It outlines in detail what the Section 504 entails and requirements the child

needs to have in order to be

covered under Section 504. Section 504Section 504 continuedSection 504 continued

Information about IDEA

This link provides clear details on the IDEA 2004. This

states that all children with disabilities have the right to educational services. There

are programs for the different age groups such as the very young children, birth-2 and

ages 3-21. This website goes into detail of what each

program entails as far as the children’s and parent’s rights.

IDEA

Due Process

Due Process

Due process is important for the

parents to know about when dealing with legal

issues. This TEA website explains in detail some of the frequently asked

questions parents may have when going into a due process hearing. There are questions pertaining to what happens before,

during, and after a due process hearing.

Due Process Request Form

This link is a direct link to the request form parents will

need in order to get the process started. They have it both in

English and in Spanish.

Notice of Procedural Safeguards

Rights of Parents of Students with Disabilities

This link explains the rights and responsibilities the parent of a child

with disabilities has during the special education process. The

Notice of Procedural Safeguards is a document explaining the rights and

responsibilities the parents have and this notice is given only one time per year unless otherwise notified. This link provides the document in several different

languages (still under production but will be in use soon.) The

contents in this notice and a ARD guide will help the parents in the decision making process in their

child’s education.

The Legal Framework for the Child-Centered Special Education

Process

Legal Framework

This link provides the legal framework of the special education process. They

provide links to the Admission, Review, and Dismissal guide in both

English and Spanish. They also provide the Notice in

Procedural Safeguards, and view of the Special Education

Rules and Regulations.

Culturaland

LinguisticDiversity

Issues

Multicultural Education for Exceptional Children

Multicultural Education

This is an article explaining multicultural education for

exceptional children and why it is important to have multicultural

materials within the classroom. It lists characteristics of the ideal

textbooks to have in the classroom and what to look out for so that the children can have

a wide aspect of cultural and diversity issues.

Addressing Cultural and Linguistic Diversity in

Special Education

Issues and Trends

This is an article that talks about cultural diversity among three specific ethnic groups: African

Americans, Asian/Pacific Islanders, and Mexican Americans. There are a

total of four chapters and each chapter focuses on

issues of education among the different

ethnic groups and their perspectives on education

based on their culture.

Reduce Disproportionate Representation

Culturally Responsive PoliciesThis page is off of the Council of Exceptional

Children, CEC and it lists the policies to promote a culturally responsive education for students. Their argument is that there

are many classrooms that may have a disproportionate representation so it lists federal and state policies, district policies, and school-level policies to follow. It goes

on in explaining what it means to be a culturally responsive teacher and carry

that into instructional practices.

Cultural and Linguistic Diversity and IDEA

This is another article that explains the different

“cultural issues that may affect evaluations between culturally and linguistically diverse children for special education services under the IDEA.” This helps deal

with evaluations for students considering their

language, culture, instruction, and

development. This article deals with cultural issues but also what is important

under the IDEA.

An Evaluation Resource Guide

Cultural Diversity and Academic AchievementAcademic Achievement

This last link is an article that talks about an issue that is very important in education today which is meeting the needs of culturally and linguistic

diverse children. The argument is that if the education continues to go in the

path that it is going, there will be many culturally diverse people not

acquiring the education they essentially need to contribute “in the

economic and civic life of the country.” It goes on by giving a list of goals that

teachers should set to educate culturally and linguistically diverse

students and promote success in their educational outcomes.