Children with Special Needs

Three federal laws protect the rights of people with disabilities:

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA)

protects people with disabilities from discrimination in employment, public businesses and governments.

INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES EDUCATION ACT (IDEA)

guarantees all children with disabilities access to a free and appropriate public education. The six principles outlined require that schools:

• Provide free and appropriate public education.
• Conduct an evaluation.
• Produce an individualized education program.;
  *IEP- education document focusing on special education & related services (3-21 years)
  *IFSP- individualized family service plan (infancy through age 2) focusing on services needed by the family to enhance their child’s development
• Provide the least restrictive environment.
• Offer opportunities for meaningful participation.
• Implement procedural safeguards.

SECTION 504 OF THE REHABILITATION ACT:

A federal law that requires a school district to provide a free and appropriate public education to each child with a disability in the district.

DISABILITY ETIQUETTE:

Be sensitive to the language you use when talking about (and to) children with special needs. These guidelines will help you communicate respect with the words you choose:

• Child first language- say the child with special needs (not the special needs child)
• Don’t ask “what’s wrong with him?”- instead ask what the child needs are
• Don’t say “handicapped”- some people don’t even like the term “disability” and prefer to say “different abilities”. “Special needs” seems to be the preferred term
• Focus on strengths- be sure to ask about the child’s special interests and abilities and not just on deficits.