Special Education

Parent Page

By Susan Wulczyn

Help for Parents:

Questions regarding the special education process are not uncommon. In fact, with the new regulations regarding the use of Response to Intervention for determination of a learning disability, many more have been generated. While websites and literature have the potential of providing excellent information, your child is an individual. If you have a question about your child’s school performance, it is best to start with his or her teacher since that person is most familiar with your child. A frank and open conversation can go a long way toward building the collaborative relationships with teachers that augment your child’s success in school. The next person to approach to help you to sort out what is happening with your child’s school performance is your child’s principal. He/she has a broad view of the school and its functioning, and a wealth of experience with children from many different classrooms and backgrounds; additionally your child may be known to him/her in a different way or across a number of school years.

If you have generalized questions about the special education process or would like to talk further about your child, please feel free to contact the Lemont-Bromberek CSD 113A Director of Student Services at any time (Susan Wulczyn at swulczyn@sd113a.org or 630-257-2286 ext. 4611).

The websites linked below provide further information for parents:

New Parents’ Guide- everything you ever wanted to know about special education in Illinois- a great, easy-to-access resource for all the basics:

http://www.isbe.net/spec-ed/html/parent_rights.htm

This guide was recently released and is quite user-friendly. The table of contents is available if you scroll down, and it will allow you to link directly to the area of your inquiry.

Procedural Safeguards:

http://www.isbe.net/spec-ed/pdfs/nc_proc_sfgrds_34-57j.pdf

Extended School Year (ESY) for Students with Disabilities:

Guidance document from ISBE:

http://www.isbe.net/spec-ed/pdfs/memo_esy_01.pdf

RESPONSE TO INTERVENTION:

ACADEMICS:

For more information about Response to Intervention for academics at District 113a, please see the District RTI plan and parent resources on our website:

http://www.sd113a.org/vnews/display.v/SEC/Front%20Page%7CPublic%20Reporting%3E%3EResponse%20to%20Intervention

BEHAVIORS:

Illinois Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS)

http://www.pbisillinois.org/

This is the first tier of Response to Intervention for behavioral issues.

PARENT HOME PAGE of ISBE’s Special Education section:offers links to a variety of specific departments that address parents’ questions:

http://www.isbe.net/spec-ed/html/parents.htm

This tends to address legal issues and can be used in conjunction with the Parents’ Guide (linked above), which offers a practical understanding of the special education process.

SPECIFIC SUBJECTS OF CONCERN TO PARENTS (arranged alphabetically):

ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER:

http://www.iassw.org/Link-ADD_ADHD.htm Illinois Association of School Social Workers’ resource guide for parents of students with ADHD

http://www.smartkidswithld.org/ parent resource for helping kids with ADHD

AUTISM:

http://autism.pbisillinois.org/ Illinois Autism Training an Technical Assistance Project-Many District 113a staff members have been trained and continue to use the services of this project

http://autismillinois.org/ Illinois Autism society that provides resources and advocacy for families living with autism

http://www.aspennj.org/ national resource for individuals managing Asperger Syndrome

DOWN SYNDROME:

http://www.kumc.edu/gec/support/down_syn.html National and local resources for parents and other information seekers

GENERAL RESOURCES for CHILDREN:

http://illinoisparents.crc.uiuc.edu/stateres.html a myriad of resources for the families of students in Illinois

http://www.cfw.tufts.edu/- This site published by Tufts University is a family-friendly resource guide regarding child development, parenting issues, school issues, etc. Each search links to other “expert reviewed” sites.

HEARING IMPAIRED STUDENTS:

http://www.childrensmemorial.org/depts/rehab/resources.aspx

LEARNING DISABILITIES:

http://www.ldail.org/ Illinois chapter of the national Learning Disability Association

SPECIAL EDUCATION ADVOCACY:

http://www.wrightslaw.com/ -special education advocacy for parents

Again, your comments and additions will be most appreciated! Feel free to contact Susan Wulczyn at swulczyn@sd113a.org or 630-257-2286 ext. 4611.