The Complete IEP Guide: How to Advocate for Your Special Ed Child [Paperback]

Lawrence M. Siegel (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1413309305 | ISBN-13: 978-1413309300 | Publication Date: February 20, 2009 | Edition: 6

The acclaimed book for parents whose children have special education needs.

Your special needs child needs a special education, and as a parent, you face a number of obstacles as you work with your school district to develop an Individual Education Plan (IEP): Lots of steps, complicated paperwork and intimidating procedures may seem like too much to take on......but you can do it, and The Complete IEP Guide can help.

The Complete IEP Guide offers vital information, useful strategies and -- most importantly -- encouragement as you secure your child's education, step by step. It includes everything you need to:

understand your child's rights

untangle eligibility rules and assessments

collect all school records

draft goals and objectives

pinpoint specific problems

develop a blueprint of program and services

research school programs and alternative

prepare for IEP meetings

resolve disputes with your school district

The 6th edition is completely updated to reflect the latest -- and major -- changes to federal regulations concerning your special education student. Plus, you'll get the latest facts on judicial rulings regarding IEPs.

Whether you're new to the IEP process or entering it once again, this user-friendly guide is your outline for an effective educational experience for your child. (20090101)

Editorial Reviews

Review

This book is an excellent tool for answering some tricky questions about Special Education and providing practical solutions. (Support for Families of Children With Disabilities Newsletter 20090101)

Unlike other books which chose to focus on the adversarial issues between parents and school personnel, this book keeps the focus on the child's education, its appropriateness and progress. I highly recommend it! (Terrance K. Prechter California Learning Disabilities Association 20090101)

Siegel, a special education attorney and advocate, has written the essential guide for any parent preparing for an Individualized Education Plan.... Recommended for all collections. (Library Journal 20090101)

This thorough, comprehensive guide leaves no detail uncovered... (Deidre Hayden Matrix Parent Network and Resource Center 20090101)

For the parents of the six million children with disabilities... this guide is a godsend. (New Orleans Times-Picayune 20090101)

Very comprehensive. (Paula's Special Education Resources (www.paulabliss.com) 20090101)

Help[s] parents advocate for their child's educational needs. (Providence Journal 20090101)

Parents of children in special education may find Siegel's book just as crucial a back-to-school essential as school supplies and a lunch box. (Quest Magazine (Muscular Dystrophy Association) 20090101)

Provides all the strategies, forms, and instructions parents need to make the most of the Individualized Education Program (Reference & Research Book News )

Finally, an understandable and practical guide through the complex special education maze of the IEP! The Complete IEP Guide is must reading for any parent whether you're beginning the journey into special education or a veteran of the process. (Larry Komar State Council for Children & Adults With Attention Deficit Disorder (CHADD) )

Review

"For the parents of the six million children with disabilities... this guide is a godsend."

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: NOLO; 6 edition (February 20, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1413309305
• ISBN-13: 978-1413309300
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (43 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #598,733 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #53 in Books > Law > Specialties > Disability

More About the Author

Lawrence Siegel has been a Special Education Attorney and Advocate since 1979, and has represented children with disabilities extensively in IEPs, due process, complaints, legal action and before legislative and policy bodies. Mr. Siegel has lectured and consulted with advocacy and parent groups throughout the country and is a member of the California Advisory Commission on Special Education. He has written special education legislation that has been adopted in several states and is the author of Least Restrictive Environment: The Paradox of Inclusion (LRP Publications, 1994). Mr. Siegel is the founder and Director of the National Deaf Education Project which works to ensure that the fundamental communication needs of deaf and hard of hearing children are part of the educational system. In 2004-5 he was appointed to an endowed chair at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C. for his work as an advocate special education. He lives in Fairfax, California, with his wife Gail and two daughters, Catie and Elisabeth.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

52 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A "must have" for parents of Special Education Children., April 26, 1999

By 

[e-mail] ; Monique Chapman- CEO Chil... (Fremont, California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Complete IEP Guide : How to Advocate for Your Special Ed. Child (Paperback)

This book will become the "bible" for parents of Special Education children. The book is wirtten with the lay person in mind in a clear and concise manner. The whole IEP process is spelled out in easy to follow steps that gently glides one through the process. The letters and forms which can be copied or added to are invaluable, and take a giant step toward helping parents become effective advocates for their children. A copy of the law IDEA 1997 is included, giving full disclosure to the general public. The information included in this book can save a parent thousands of dollars in attorney's fees. If you buy just one book about Special Education this year, this should be the one!

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Dummy proof IEP, June 2, 2000

By 

Connie Ajay (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Complete IEP Guide : How to Advocate for Your Special Ed. Child (Paperback)

I found this book to be the MOST informative book on the market for writing an IEP. It gives examples, details and actual pull out pages of the forms necessary for writing a complete and accurate IEP. I reviewed MANY books and none were as informative as this book. I am going to my sons IEP with a complete and thorough knowledge and understanding of the process. I highly recommend this book to any parent who has or is having a child in Special Education or mainstreaming into regular classes.

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars IEP for the layperson, February 2, 2000

By 

Kathryn C. Low "Kathy Low" (Massachusetts USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Complete IEP Guide : How to Advocate for Your Special Ed. Child (Paperback)

Finally a book that really spells out the IEP process in layman's terms. I had bought legal books from Nolo years ago and was NOT impressed (they were too simplistic or didn't give enough information). However, I've been pleasantly surprised to find this book helpful. It lays out every step simply and also gives references at every turn so that you can go elsewhere for information on your particular circumstance. It is also very good about warning for situations that may be different state-to-state. It doesn't answer every question, but when you're just starting out in the myriad of IEPs, 502s and 766s, it's a sanity-saver!