Special needs students require precisely that: special needs. These students perform differently than children who are not on the spectrum. They can’t be taught and disciplined in the same manner. Doing so can cause problems. Special needs children require specific programs and climates to excel.
The unfortunate reality is that many schools, especially under-budgeted public schools, aren’t provided the resources needed to help students succeed and thrive. This is especially true for students who need unique attention.
Education attorneys, and uniquely those who understand special education rights, can seriously come in handy when fighting for your child’s rights. Understand that most schools and special education educators get into the field because they want to help your child. Unfortunately, necessary resources are often unavailable to help them do their job, which is where the aid of a special education attorney can become invaluable.
Thoughts to consider before pursuing a special education attorney
- Why are you doing this? Make sure your reasoning is sound. The rationale for pursuing legal action should be to benefit your child. If you hope to stick it to the school, you’ll likely come away unsatisfied. Make sure your goal is to secure all the goods and services your child and those alike need to succeed.
- A special needs child may have gone through numerous treatments and hospital visits to determine where they are on the spectrum and what resources are needed for them to develop. All this information can be used as evidence to benefit the case for your child’s education rights. Come prepared with these documents in chronological order to minimize the time an attorney must spend doing busy work so that they can focus solely on results.
Lastly, make sure the attorney understands the needs of your child. All special needs students require different services, and with special education laws continually changing, ensure the attorney is well-versed and ready to accept the challenge head-on.