AUTISM SPEAKS RELEASES IEP GUIDE FOR PARENTS

A new Individualized Education Programs (IEP) guide helps parents of children with special needs understand the legal rights of students with disabilities and offers advice on how to get special education services and form an IEP for your child.

A new guide released by Autism Speaks in late August provides parents with a step-by-step look at how to obtain special education services from their school district. The 26-page download, Individualized Education Program (IEP): Summary, Process and Practical Tips, includes a broad overview of the legal rights of students with disabilities and walks parents through the process of forming an Individualized Education Program for their child.

The IEP guide was prepared by a team of lawyers at Goodwin Procter LLP for Autism Speaks, but it is written using easy-to-understand terms plus bullet points and flow charts for clarity. And though it was produced for the autism community, most of the information included in the guide applies to all students who qualify for special education, regardless of their diagnoses.

"The IEP process can be daunting, overwhelming, and highly frustrating for parents who are trying to ensure their child is getting the appropriate educational opportunities," says Lisa Goring, vice president of family services at Autism Speaks. "We hope this guide will give families an effective road map that prepares them to make informed decisions and advocate for their child as effectively as possible."

Also see: Learning Disabilities: Know Your Child's Rights