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From: joyandjoe@...Reply-to: specialmomsspecialkids To: specialmomsspecialkids Sent: 10/20/2009 8:50:49 A.M. Eastern Daylight TimeSubj: [specialmomsspecialkids] Special Education Law Day: Intensive Training for Parents

Special Education Law Day: Intensive Training for ParentsDate: Thursday, November 12, 2009, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.Cost: $40 (includes lunch and workbook)Location: Hyatt Regency Bonaventure Conference Center & Spa, 250 Racquet Club Road, Weston, FloridaComplete Info: <http://www.nationalautismconference.org> Special Education Law Day is a pre-conference session for the National Autism Conference, November 12-15, 2009.Session DescriptionAdvocating for your child is a complex and sometimes counter-intuitive process. In these sessions, parents will learn the basic concepts of special education law, the importance of strategizing and how to use this knowledge to gain control of their child's education. The primary goal of this track: Become an empowered IEP team member by gaining an understanding of special ed law, which then can be directly applied to their child's specific needs and situation.This is an intensive track designed to get your team up to speed quickly and will cover extensive information. To facilitate this process, each participant will receive a workbook with supporting information on key concepts, selected sections of IDEA, background facts on case studies as well as recommended reading and resources.Presenters A. , Esq., Special Education AttorneyLynne Arnold, MA, parentMitchel Perlman, PhD, Clinical Forensic PsychologistAdvocating for your child is a complex and sometimes counter-intuitive process. In these sessions, parents will learn the basic concepts of special education law, the importance of strategizing and how to use this knowledge to gain control of their child's education. The primary goal of this track: parents will become empowered IEP team members by gaining an understanding of special ed law, which then can be directly applied to their child's specific needs and situation.This is an intensive track designed to get parents up to speed quickly and will cover extensive information. To facilitate this process, each participant will receive a workbook with supporting information on key concepts, selected sections of IDEA, background facts on case studies as well as recommended reading and resources.Topics include:-Documentation, letter writing, gathering and evaluating documents-Selecting and working with independent experts-Timelines-IEP Goals-Independent educational evaluations-Extended school year services (ESY)-NRC's Educating Children with Autism-Stay Put-Prior Written Notice-Least Restrictive Environment-When and how to use the services of a special education attorneySession #1: IDEA 2004 OverviewIDEA was re-authorized in 2004 and many regulations came into effect in fall 2006. Do you understand how these recent changes affect your child? Come learn the basic framework of IDEA 2004 as well as the implications of recent case law in the context of achieving FAPE for the child affected by autism. Session #2: IEP StrategyThe first step to effectively controlling the IEP process is determining the appropriate strategy to gain leverage with the school district. The IEP process will be broken down into components to teach parents how to evaluate the best course of action in each situation. We will discuss how parents can more effectively respond to district objections to parental and independent expert recommendations. Techniques for forcing district personnel to fully explain their positions and district "policies" will be explored. Parents will learn how to apply these concepts to their child's individual needs and their district. LUNCHSession #3: Assessments/EvaluationsWhat does a thorough assessment entail? How do you know if your child's capabilities and needs have been adequately and accurately assessed? Assessing the child in all areas of suspected disability is the legal obligation of the district and usually the most important building block of the IEP. Without an accurate assessment, it can be nearly impossible to place the child in the correct program that capitalizes on his abilities.This session will explore common contradictions and misinterpretations in district assessments that result in inappropriate recommendations. The most important aspects of an independent educational evaluation as well as critical ages for assessment will be covered. Session #4: Advanced Strategy -- Wrapping It All Up (case studies)Participants will have an opportunity to apply the lessons learned in the previous five sessions to case studies of three different children. In each situation, a different strategic plan is chosen which takes into consideration the individual needs of the child in the context of his/her district's autism program. Session #5: Questions & AnswersPresenters A. , Esq. received his Bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Irvine and his Juris Doctorate degree from Pepperdine University School of Law. He has served as an adjunct professor and Associate Director of the Special Education Advocacy Clinic, Pepperdine University School of Law. He is actively involved in educating parents through presentations to disability rights organizations and parent support groups including speaker at Autism One (2005-2009), the National Autism Association (2005 and 2007-2008) and the National Epilepsy Foundation Annual Conference (2001). He has been interviewed and quoted in publications including the Daily Journal (2001), the Orange County Register and the nationally published magazine Parenting (March 2003); He is & Associates’ Chief Executive Officer. Lynne Arnold is the coordinator of Talk About Curing Autism (TACA) of Visalia, CA and an Autism One parent mentor. Through conference presentations and mentoring, she helps parents to understand their child's rights to appropriate interventions and education. Lynne is the editor of Autism: Asserting Your Child’s Rights to a Special Education by A. Sherman. She has presented at Autism One (2005-2009), National Autism Association Conference (2005 and 2007-2008), Families for Effective Autism Treatment (FEAT, Autism Society of America and other autism groups. Mitchel D. Perlman, Ph.D., focuses on the assessment and treatment of children and adolescents who have specialized needs and/or who are involved in chaotic-intense-traumatic-critical situations. Known for the comprehensiveness of his investigatory assessments (psychodiagnostic, psychoeducational, neurocognitive), Dr. Perlman is often called on to be the impartial independent examiner in juvenile, family, civil and special education proceedings. He lends his expertise and keen insights to children/teens who have stepped away from the mainstream and/or who have gotten themselves in over their heads – emotionally, legally or in relation to others. He is involved in assessing some of the most fascinating individuals, and he has a knack for detecting and/or explaining things that have often gone unnoticed or that have been misunderstood. For example, in many children who had been diagnosed with autism and mental retardation, Dr. Perlman has foundnear-gifted to gifted intelligence and has been instrumental in guiding parents to the resources to unlock it.