Legal Representation for IEP's?

[Guest guest]

I'm sure alot have gone through the whole IEP process - how difficult

is it? I've heard varying viewpoints, and I'm sure each case is

different. However is this something we need to have and attorney

there to represent our best interests?

Just looking for feedback and or resources about the Great IEP mystery.

Thanks to all!

[Guest guest]

I personally would start with a parent advocate, not an attorney. Save the expense of an attorney in case you absolutely need it. Finding an advocate isn't always easy, but I would check out www.wrightslaw.com -- look at the Yellow Pages for Kids section. Some advocates are free, but some cost -- but usually, they're cheaper than lawyers. While you're at slaw's site, order the book "From Emotions to Advocacy." It'll be the best money you've ever spent (it's no more than $30...can't remember the exact price). If you are at the beginning of this process, then read that book and do as they suggest...document, document, document. I'm not suggesting you should anticipate the worst, but if you do, then you'll be prepared in case it happens. I think all parents should just be automatically be given that book when their child is diagnosed with special needs.

Best of luck to you. Let us know if we can help further.

--Suzanne

-----Original Message-----

From: jrtisevich@...

Sent: Mon, 12 Feb 2007 5:30 PM

Subject: [ ] Legal Representation for IEP's?

I'm sure alot have gone through the whole IEP process - how difficult

is it? I've heard varying viewpoints, and I'm sure each case is

different. However is this something we need to have and attorney

there to represent our best interests?

Just looking for feedback and or resources about the Great IEP mystery.

Thanks to all!

Check out the new AOL. Most comprehensive set of free safety and security tools, free access to millions of high-quality videos from across the web, free AOL Mail and more.

[Guest guest]

Hi Suzanne!

First off thanks for all the great idea's and resources. That being

said ... have anyone used before a really good Parent Advocate that

they could recommend?

Thanks again to everyone ... this can be so overwhelming.

>

> I personally would start with a parent advocate, not an attorney.

Save the expense of an attorney in case you absolutely need it.

Finding an advocate isn't always easy, but I would check out

www.wrightslaw.com -- look at the Yellow Pages for Kids section.

Some advocates are free, but some cost -- but usually, they're

cheaper than lawyers. While you're at slaw's site, order the

book " From Emotions to Advocacy. " It'll be the best money you've

ever spent (it's no more than $30...can't remember the exact

price). If you are at the beginning of this process, then read that

book and do as they suggest...document, document, document. I'm not

suggesting you should anticipate the worst, but if you do, then

you'll be prepared in case it happens. I think all parents should

just be automatically be given that book when their child is

diagnosed with special needs.

>

> Best of luck to you. Let us know if we can help further.

>

> --Suzanne

>

> -----Original Message-----

> From: jrtisevich@...

>

> Sent: Mon, 12 Feb 2007 5:30 PM

> Subject: [ ] Legal Representation for IEP's?

>

>

> I'm sure alot have gone through the whole IEP process - how

difficult

> is it? I've heard varying viewpoints, and I'm sure each case is

> different. However is this something we need to have and attorney

> there to represent our best interests?

>

> Just looking for feedback and or resources about the Great IEP

mystery.

>

> Thanks to all!

>

>

>

>

_____________________________________________________________________

___

> Check out the new AOL. Most comprehensive set of free safety and

security tools, free access to millions of high-quality videos from

across the web, free AOL Mail and more.

>

[Guest guest]

Hi, !

Overwhelming is one way to put it...I'd probably tack on a few other choice adjectives to that word, but we won't go there! Hang in there...what doesn't kill us makes us really, really mean! But on the bright side, it makes for great book material someday.

Parent Advocates are tough to find...I'll admit that. It's easier to catch a bullet in the dark with a pair of pliers. This is a BIG problem that really needs to be resolved. I'm hoping groups like the local ASA chapters will eventually get the resources to help train and provide parent advocates to those who need them. It's a tall order, I know, but someone's got to do it, since it's a service that parents of those with Autism DESPERATELY need.

There are some places out there that do offer the service, and I'll tell you where the obvious places to look are, but I will also tell you I have had no luck with them. Your school district might have a Parent Mentor Office that might be able to help you. Yes, it seems like a contradiction in terms -- a Parent Mentor in the local school district?!?!?! -- but I have since found that these folks aren't actually paid by the school district, but out of a grant from the State. If you call the Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities, they will put you in touch with this person. If your child is transitioning into the district from Help Me Grow or Early Intervention, then the MRDD might be able to provide someone -- or your case manager can help. There are other local entities that may or may not have advocates -- for instance, you may want to try your local Mental Health Association. You never know...the MHA in Summit County has parent advocates.

Those are really my only suggestions right now. I tried so many places I can barely remember them all -- some never got back to me, because they asked if my child was on the verge of being kicked out of school or being thrown in jail. Well, no...thank God he wasn't, but because of that, they didn't have the time to take our case.

If you find one, let us know.

How about everyone else? Anyone have a great experience with an advocate? Were their services free, or did you need to pay? If so, how much? Anyone have any ideas on how we can get this need filled for parents like us? You never think you're going to need an advocate, but believe me, it can happen in a New York minute. Best of luck to you, !

--Suzanne

-----Original Message-----

From: jrtisevich@...

Sent: Tue, 13 Feb 2007 9:20 AM

Subject: [ ] Re: Legal Representation for IEP's?

Hi Suzanne!

First off thanks for all the great idea's and resources. That being

said ... have anyone used before a really good Parent Advocate that

they could recommend?

Thanks again to everyone ... this can be so overwhelming.

>

> I personally would start with a parent advocate, not an attorney.

Save the expense of an attorney in case you absolutely need it.

Finding an advocate isn't always easy, but I would check out

www.wrightslaw.com -- look at the Yellow Pages for Kids section.

Some advocates are free, but some cost -- but usually, they're

cheaper than lawyers. While you're at slaw's site, order the

book "From Emotions to Advocacy." It'll be the best money you've

ever spent (it's no more than $30...can't remember the exact

price). If you are at the beginning of this process, then read that

book and do as they suggest...document, document, document. I'm not

suggesting you should anticipate the worst, but if you do, then

you'll be prepared in case it happens. I think all parents should

just be automatically be given that book when their child is

diagnosed with special needs.

>

> Best of luck to you. Let us know if we can help further.

>

> --Suzanne

>

> -----Original Message-----

> From: jrtisevich@...

>

> Sent: Mon, 12 Feb 2007 5:30 PM

> Subject: [ ] Legal Representation for IEP's?

>

>

> I'm sure alot have gone through the whole IEP process - how

difficult

> is it? I've heard varying viewpoints, and I'm sure each case is

> different. However is this something we need to have and attorney

> there to represent our best interests?

>

> Just looking for feedback and or resources about the Great IEP

mystery.

>

> Thanks to all!

>

>

>

>

__________________________________________________________

___

> Check out the new AOL. Most comprehensive set of free safety and

security tools, free access to millions of high-quality videos from

across the web, free AOL Mail and more.

>

Check out the new AOL. Most comprehensive set of free safety and security tools, free access to millions of high-quality videos from across the web, free AOL Mail and more.

[Guest guest]

Hi Suzanne -

That's a good call on the Help Me Grow program - yes we're currently

using them for EI - and we're considering staying with them when he

transitions this coming August. The case worker probably is a very

good resource.

Thanks for the info!

> >

> > I personally would start with a parent advocate, not an

attorney.

> Save the expense of an attorney in case you absolutely need it.

> Finding an advocate isn't always easy, but I would check out

> www.wrightslaw.com -- look at the Yellow Pages for Kids section.

> Some advocates are free, but some cost -- but usually, they're

> cheaper than lawyers. While you're at slaw's site, order the

> book " From Emotions to Advocacy. " It'll be the best money you've

> ever spent (it's no more than $30...can't remember the exact

> price). If you are at the beginning of this process, then read

that

> book and do as they suggest...document, document, document. I'm

not

> suggesting you should anticipate the worst, but if you do, then

> you'll be prepared in case it happens. I think all parents should

> just be automatically be given that book when their child is

> diagnosed with special needs.

> >

> > Best of luck to you. Let us know if we can help further.

> >

> > --Suzanne

> >

> > -----Original Message-----

> > From: jrtisevich@

> >

> > Sent: Mon, 12 Feb 2007 5:30 PM

> > Subject: [ ] Legal Representation for IEP's?

> >

> >

> > I'm sure alot have gone through the whole IEP process - how

> difficult

> > is it? I've heard varying viewpoints, and I'm sure each case is

> > different. However is this something we need to have and

attorney

> > there to represent our best interests?

> >

> > Just looking for feedback and or resources about the Great IEP

> mystery.

> >

> > Thanks to all!

> >

> >

> >

> >

> __________________________________________________________

> ___

> > Check out the new AOL. Most comprehensive set of free safety and

> security tools, free access to millions of high-quality videos

from

> across the web, free AOL Mail and more.

> >

>

>

>

>

_____________________________________________________________________

___

> Check out the new AOL. Most comprehensive set of free safety and

security tools, free access to millions of high-quality videos from

across the web, free AOL Mail and more.

>