Peter Wright, Wrightslaw: Special Education Law and You

Show #52 Conversation with Peter Wright, Part II

Peter Wright is a well-known attorney, specializing in special education law. He argued an important special education case, Florence County School District v. Carter, before the Supreme Court. This is particularly impressive, since Pete himself has learning disabilities, and talks openly about his struggles in school as a child.

Pete has also written many books, including From Emotions to Advocacy, Special Education Law, and No Child Left Behind.

In part II of our conversation, Pete and I talk about why we aren't always using the best reading programs for kids with learning issues in public schools; why parents are so important in making sure kids get what they need, and why inclusion/segregation is more about the most appropriate learning environment for an individual rather than a system-wide one size fits all goal.

We have a song by Uncle Seth- Both Sides Now, followed at the end by a few minutes of "bonus" audio about parents and understanding the law.

I want to thank Cathlin, Tyson, and Michelle for their emails, questions and feedback, and encourage you to do the same!

Please email us with your feedback about shorter vs. longer shows, and any comments- ldpodcast@gmail.com, or call our voicemail line, (206) 666-2343. I'd love it if you'd consider leaving a review in iTunes for us as well.


Click here to download Show # 52: Peter Wright, Wrightslaw - Special Education Law and You

Show # 51: Peter Wright of Wrightslaw

Peter Wright is a well-known attorney, specializing in special education law. He argued an important special education case, Florence County School District v. Carter, before the Supreme Court. This is particularly impressive, since Pete himself has learning disabilities, and talks openly about his struggles in school as a child.
Pete has also written many books, including From Emotions to Advocacy, Special Education Law, and No Child Left Behind. The books empower parents to understand what the laws governing special education say and allow, helping parents to become more effective advicates for their children in the process.

In part I of our conversation, Pete discusses the difference between an IEP and 504 accommodations, and why you might want one over the other, and while children with disabilities are entitled to a free and appropriate education, this does not mean they are entitled to the "Best" education, only an adequate one.

One specific section of the law we talk about is 20 USC Sec. 1414- Evaluations, Eligibility Determinations, Individualized Educations Programs, and Educational Placements. In this section, either a parent or a State educational agency can request an evaluation, but the "clock" only starts ticking when the parent consents to the evaluation. The State then has 60 calendar days, under the federal statute, to complete the evaluation. If parents request testing but don't specifically consent. using this language at the same time, the State can legally drag their feet until they receive a "consent"- then they are on the 60 day clock.

This is but one of the examples of "magic language" parents need to know to protect their child's rights, and I know you'll find Pete's information useful and enlightening.

Please email us with your feedback about shorter vs. longer shows, and any comments- ldpodcast@gmail.com, or call our voicemail line, (206) 666-2343.

Click here to Download Conversation with Peter Wright- Wrightlaw - Special Education Law Attorney and Expert

Show # 51: Peter Wright of Wrightslaw

Peter Wright is a well-known attorney, specializing in special education law. He argued an important special education case, Florence County School District v. Carter, before the Supreme Court. This is particularly impressive, since Pete himself has learning disabilities, and talks openly about his struggles in school as a child.
Pete has also written many books, including From Emotions to Advocacy, Special Education Law, and No Child Left Behind. The books empower parents to understand what the laws governing special education say and allow, helping parents to become more effective advicates for their children in the process.

In part I of our conversation, Pete discusses the difference between an IEP and 504 accommodations, and why you might want one over the other, and while children with disabilities are entitled to a free and appropriate education, this does not mean they are entitled to the "Best" education, only an adequate one.

One specific section of the law we talk about is 20 USC Sec. 1414- Evaluations, Eligibility Determinations, Individualized Educations Programs, and Educational Placements. In this section, either a parent or a State educational agency can request an evaluation, but the "clock" only starts ticking when the parent consents to the evaluation. The State then has 60 calendar days, under the federal statute, to complete the evaluation. If parents request testing but don't specifically consent. using this language at the same time, the State can legally drag their feet until they receive a "consent"- then they are on the 60 day clock.

This is but one of the examples of "magic language" parents need to know to protect their child's rights, and I know you'll find Pete's information useful and enlightening.

Please email us with your feedback about shorter vs. longer shows, and any comments- ldpodcast@gmail.com, or call our voicemail line, (206) 666-2343.

Click here to Download Conversation with Peter Wright- Wrightlaw - Special Education Law Attorney and Expert

Show #50: Conversation with Paige Heninger of Mommycast - Moms & Kids with ADHD

Paige is one of the two fantastic moms who started the first podcast I ever listened to, Mommycast. Paige and Gretchen also inspired me to start the LD Podcast, and I consider them some of my oldest and closest online friends.

Paige is the mother of five children, two of whom have been diagnosed with ADHD, and Paige has ADHD as well. In part I, Paige and I talk about what it was like to try to figure out why her oldest son was struggling in school, trying to communicate with teachers, and finally find outpart of the problem was due to ADHD.

In part II, Paige and I talk more about how finding out about her son's ADHD transformed his experience in school, and took him from a smart but struggling kid into a real academic superstar; what it was like when she found out she had ADHD; and what her current child is going through as he gets tested at age 7 1/2 to see whether he, too, is ADHD like his mom and siblings.

I know you'll find this helpful whether your child has ADHD or any other LD or school struggle. The story is a very familiar one to most parents whose kids seem smart and bright, but for some reason, seem to really be underperforming in school. Parents always hear comments like "We know he can do it, if he'd only concentrate and apply himself"- sometimes the problem is not a moral problem, but an underlying neurological one, like ADHD.

Next week, I have an interview with Peter Wright of Wrightslaw.com. Pete is an attorney who specializes in special education law and has travelled the country, speaking to parents and educators about how the special education laws and No Child Left behind affect kids with disabilities. Pete also argued a landmark case, Florence County School District v. Carter, before the Supreme Court. Pete also has learning disabilities and struggled in school, so he knows about the importance of these issues on a personal basis as well as a professional one.

As always, please email us with comments and questions at ldpodcast@gmail.com, or call our comment line, 206-666-2343.

CONTEST!!!!

Since we receieved no answer from the announced contest winners, the first three emails with comments I receive after posting this show will receive a copy of Dr . Mel Levine's A Mind at a Time, and first three voice comments I recieve will get additional educational book prizes, either The Myth of Laziness by Dr. Mel Levine, It's So Much Work to be Your Friend, by Rick LaVoie, or The Irreducible Needs of Children by T. Berry Brazelton. If you leave a voice comment, please include your contact information so I can let you know if you're a winner!

Please also consider leaving a review of the Podcast in iTunes- each review helps us become a featured podcast.

Click here to Download Show #50: Moms & Kids with ADHD- Conversation with Paige Heninger from Mommycast

Moms & Kids with ADHD

Show #49- Conversation with Paige Heninger from Mommycast!

Mommycast was one of the first podcasts I ever listend to, and Paige and Gretchen inspired me to try podcasting on my own- what turned into the LD Podcast! Paige's discussions about ADHD on Mommycast made me think that there should be a whole podcast dedicated to discussing how various LD's affect kids, parents and families. Providing pointers to reliable information is also critical. Hence, the LD Podcast was born.

Since Paige and I not only have kids with ADHD, but have it ourselves, we have a tendancy to talk for ages when we get a chance to catch up, and I think this show is a good example!

I have split this conversation into parts as well, to prevent the show from going too long, and to accommodate both Spring Break & PodCamp NYC commitments. In this first part, Piage and I talk about her son, Sam, was strugling in school despite being very bright, and how they decided to get him evaluated, and what that entailed. We talk about frustrations that occassionally arise in dealing with teachers, and how ultimately, it's our responsibility to look out for our child's best interest.

As always, email us at ldpodcast@gmail.com
voicemail (206) 666-2343

And remember- You can see me at PodCamp NYC, at the New Yorker Hotel, April 6 & 7th!
(the excellent promo by Chris Penn appears at the end of the show!)

Click here to Download Show#49- Conversation with Paige From Mommycast pt. 1