Navigating the world of Special Education can be a confusing maze.  I was an educator in the State of Georgia for over seven years and still found the process overwhelming when my four adopted children with special needs entered the public school.  I offer assistance to parents of children with special needs.

As a former teacher in the State of Georgia and a parent of four children with special needs, I am able to bring dual perspectives to the table at IEP meetings and assist with achieving a truly individualized plan that achieves an appropriate education for your child.

Determining what a child’s strengths and weaknesses are and how to best meet that child’s needs is not simply the job of the school system.  Parents have a right and a responsibility to be full members of their child’s educational team.  An advocate can assist you with understanding your child’s needs and assist you with developing an effective plan in collaboration with the school system.  An advocate can support you through the process and give you objective opinions.

•  Has your child been comprehensively evaluated in all areas of suspected disability?

• Does your child's IEP contain an accurate description of his or her strengths and weaknesses?

• Does your child's IEP contain goals and objectives that are designed for the child to make meaningful educational progress in all areas of weakness?

• Does your child receive the appropriate related services (speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, special transportation) that will assist the child with making meaningful progress in his or her education?

• Is your child in the least restrictive environment to be educated?  Is enough time spend with neurotypical same-age peers that are good role models for making progress?

• Does your child have behaviors that are a direct or indirect result of the child's disability?  Are these addressed as a part of the individualized plan or treated as discipline issues?

• Do you feel like a full participating member of your child's educational team?  Are your questions and concerns fully considered in IEP team meetings?

The School is not the expert on your child ….

YOU ARE!

Get Assistance Today!  You can reach me at sandrariggs@comcast.net or by phone at 770-402-2402.

"The world is dangerous not because of those who do harm, but because of those who look at it without doing anything."

- Albert Einstein