What You Need to Know About Transition Assessment
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, IDEA, states that “Beginning not later than the first IEP to be in effect when the child turns 16, or younger if determined appropriate by the IEP Team, and updated annually, thereafter, the IEP must include...Student’s Perspective: Josie Badger
By Josie Badger, PhD Inclusion is Fantastic and… As an individual with a significant physical disability, I was fully included in mainstream education classes, and I believe in the academic and social importance of the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE). I graduated...Trauma and the Educational System
Schools are filled with students who have experienced recent trauma, or whose lives include ongoing trauma. Children who are traumatized may experience considerable difficulty in the school setting. This occurs not only in terms of focus and learning, but in being...Helping Children Manage the Stress of Life
By Viviana Litovsky, Ph.D. Once children begin to learn how to label what they are feeling, we can teach them how to put their emotions into a proper perspective.These days, it isn’t hard to find someone who feels “stressed out.” The pace and volume of stimulation...School Safety in the 21st Century
“Most schools are not fully prepared to support students with autism, sensory disabilities, medical and mobility disabilities, and other unique challenges in emergency situations.” In an age of increased emphasis on school safety and security, evacuation...
School Discipline and Students with Autism
State regulations (New Jersey Administrative Code Title 6A, Chapter 16 (NJAC 6A:16) Programs to Support Student Development) requires school districts to “develop, adopt, disseminate and implement a code of student conduct that establishes standards, policies and...Charter Schools, Vouchers & Special Education
By Maria Docherty and Lauren Agoratus, M.A. With the increased focus in the United States on charter schools and the use of vouchers to support student attendance at private schools, more and more parents of students with disabilities are asking questions about how...Medicaid and Special Education
Medicaid is a successful government-operated, single-payer health program established in 1965 as part of Lyndon Johnson’s “Great Society.” The nation’s largest single source of health insurance, Medicaid covers one out of five Americans with very low income- more than...Promoting Student Independence & Successful Inclusion Through Systemic Cue and Fading of Support
By Amy Golden, M.S., BCBA Research confirms that becoming as independent as possible often substantially impacts future success in all aspects of life, so as a student moves through adolescence, it is essential for the educational team and the family to place...3 Ways to Help Your Child with Sensory Issues Succeed in School
By Sussan, Greenwald & Wesler Does your child crash into walls? Does he cover his ears in a crowded amusement park or shy away from birthday parties? Does she seem insensitive to pain, or overly sensitive to sound or light? When children have difficulty...New Supreme Court Decision Benefits Students With IEPs
By Elizabeth W. Barnes Children with special needs are guaranteed a “free, appropriate public education” (FAPE) under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). When Congress enacted IDEA in 1975, the goal was to address the “perception...NJCommonGround.org, and the Common Ground E-newsletter are projects of the NJ Council on Developmental Disabilities
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- The Right to a Free and Appropriate Public Education
- What to Do if You Suspect Your Child has a Disability Impacting Their Education
- Initial Special Education Evaluations and Eligibility
- The Individualized Education Program (IEP)
- Special Education Placement
- Q&A: What are Extended School Year (ESY) Services?
- Q&A: Dispute Resolution