Customer Reviews

A Guide to Special Education Advocacy

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

VERY helpful book. I don't often write reviews on books, but this book merits a review.

I came across this book by chance on the new books shelf at my local library. It has detailed up-to-date information on the 2004 reauthorization of IDEA and the IDEA 2006 regulations. This book should be very helpful to any parent trying to advocate for their child. It should also be helpful to special education teachers and administrators because of the detailed information on federal regulations regarding IDEA and Section 504, with specific CFR citations.

The book also contains a comparison of Section 504 plans versus IDEA 2004. It dispels the idea that Section 504 is only applicable to students with health issues, and explains when one is preferable to the other. "Each law has advantages for children with disabilities depending on the circumstances of the child, the school, and the particular issue. At the most general level, IDEA is more likely to be of use to children who require a greater intensity of specialized instructional services and/or related services, who have more complex needs, and/or when there is a greater need for specificity in planning for the child, protecting the child's procedural rights, or holding the school accountable regarding issues of implementation. By contrast, Section 504 is typically of greater utility if the child's needs are less complex, if the child has a disability that does not qualify him or her for special education, or when the child needs only accommodations, as opposed to special education" (p. 236).

As a pediatric OT, I work with children with disabilites birth - about 10. I have read many books on advocacy, and this is by far the best I have read. In fact, I purchased it for each of the families I see. It is written for providers and parents, with excellent strategies for meetings/letters/etc. The best advocacy book out there - and very updated!!!

A Guide to Special Education Advocacy: What Parents, Clinicians and Advocates Need to Know covers disability law and its complexities and tells parents how to ensure a child with a disability receives education they are legally entitled to. From understanding services and the evaluation and re-evaluation process to gain them to different kinds of environments, this is packed with specific and detailed observations key to any special education library catering to professionals.

This book is a helpful resource. It helped me understand a lot more about special education law. It was interesting and enjoyable to read. I have it on my shelf now to refer to when I need it.