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Special
Education Services
Ralph Richardson, Ph.D. Director, Psychosocial Sciences JJCCC
Special thanks to Dr. Teddi Softley for bringing
together a panel of experts representing Miller Children's hospital
teaching and physical therapy, Long Beach Unified School District Head
Start Program, Harbor Regional Center, Long Beach City College and Cal
State Long Beach Disabled Student Services programs, and special education
services provided through both public and private educational facilities,
as well as one parent of a child with a brain tumor. Dr. Softley did a
marvelous job of moderating the question and answer session, often
providing important information herself.
Questions covered a wide range, including how to
access special education services your child or teen may need, how to
obtain necessary modifications and assistance in college, and specific
benefits of each of the above programs. Some of the most important
information is described below:
Special Education: Specialized educational
services are available through the public school system from infancy
through pre-school, elementary, high school, and college, and can involve
anything from a specialized P.E. class for a child who is otherwise in
regular classes, to placement in a full-time special education program for
intensive learning needs.
I.E.P.: The I.E.P., or Individual Education
Plan, is what one needs to request to access special education services.
The term I.E.P. is often used to refer both to the process for determining
a child or teens needs, and to the plan that is eventually developed.
504: Children or teens whose needs are not
extensive enough to qualify them for special education services may still
benefit from having a 504 plan drawn up and agreed to if there are
modifications which are needed in the classroom to allow the student to
learn (for example, sitting at the front of the classroom, having more
time for tests, fewer homework items, etc.).
Parents as an equal partner: Parents are
legally considered an equal partner in the IEP process, which means your
voice should be considered and given equal weight in regard to your child
or teens needs. This does not mean you get to pick what services and
assistance your child will receive (you are an equal voice, but you are
not the only voice), but it does mean you have a right to be heard and to
take direct part in the planning of your child or teens education.
Other agencies: It should also be noted that
there are other systems outside of the public school system which may
offer assistance in regard to your child's educational needs. Some may
have financial cost, others may only be available if your child has
specific impairments, but the only way of knowing whether a particular
program could be of use to your child is to check it out.
Beyond High School: It is important to be
aware of disabled student services programs at the college level. Once a
person with learning difficulties graduates high school, their needs do
not just go away. If your child is planning toward college, or has already
entered, and if he or she has special needs, it is important to look into
available services at the colleges under consideration. Your child or teen
may not benefit from or be eligible for all of these services. What is
important is to focus on your child or teen's needs, and to be calm but
persistent in pursuing the best assistance possible. If you find you are
running into obstacles, or if you have questions, please feel free to
contact Dr. Softley or myself at (562) 933-8600.
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