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    Regulations
  • Caselaw
  • Autism Links
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  • Books
  • Articles
  • Helpful Phone Numbers

ABOUT OUR RESOURCES & LINKS

DISCLAIMER: The Law Office of Patricia S. Phelan has compiled this resource list and information solely as a convenience to parents and other persons interested in learning more about children with special needs. The Law Office of Patricia S. Phelan does not endorse or claim to have personal knowledge of the resources listed. The resources listed on this site are not intended as a recommendation, referral, or endorsement of any resource. Nor should this listing be considered a verification of the credentials, qualifications, or abilities or the appropriateness for your child, of any organization, product or professional listed herein. Nothing contained herein is intended to constitute legal advice. Should you need any legal guidance regarding the special education needs of your child, please contact The Law Office of Patricia S. Phelan to arrange for an initial consultation.

Please select the resources and links you are interested in from the green tabs above.

STATUTES & REGULATIONS

IDEA 2004 = The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act; 20 U.S.C. [United States Code] §1400; regulations at 34 C.F.R. [Code of Federal Regulations] § 300; IDEA was initially called the Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975

This is the federal law guiding special education.   It entitles a child to an IEP which provides them with FAPE and prepares them for employment and independent living. This law applies when a child has a disability AND as a result requires special education services.

SECTION 504 of the Rehabilitation Act; 29 U.S.C. § 794; regulations at 34 C.F.R. Part 104

This federal law protects a student with a disability from being discriminated against or excluded when in a program which receives federal financial assistance.  Section 504 enables a child to receive accommodations but does not entitle a child to an IEP.  It can be used when child has a disability BUT it does not require that child receives special education services.

ADA = The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; 42 U.S.C. § 12132; regulations at 28 C.F.R. Part 35

The ADA, as it applies to public entities, has the same protections as Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.  The ADA is the federal law that prohibits a public entity from discriminating against or excluding a person with a disability by reason of their disability.

NCLB = No Child Left Behind Act of 2001; 20 U.S.C. § 6301; regulations at 34 C.F.R. Part 200; note that NCLB is the new name of the reauthorized Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965

 This federal law protects all children, including those with and without disabilities. 

It requires schools to meet the educational needs of all children and to publicly report the school’s progress each year. NCLB also requires annual proficiency testing for children in grades 3-8. In order to meet this goal, among other things, NCLB requires highly qualified teachers in every classroom, research-based instruction, increased rights for parents. By the time they reach the end of grade 3, all children must read fluently. NCLB includes a legal definition of reading, at 20 U.S.C. § 6368(5).

FERPA = The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act; 20 U.S.C. § 1232g; regulations at 34 C.F.R. § 99.

This federal law gives parents of all students the right to inspect all educational records about their child maintained by the school district.   FERPA also limits access to these educational records without parental consent.

Download commonly requested federal and state law:

 www.vesid.nysed.gov/specialed/publications

Download the NYS Early Intervention Parent’s Guide for Children Ages 0-3:

 www.health.state.ny.us/community/infants_children/early_intervention/parents_guide

Download the revised NYS Procedural Safeguard Notice: Rights for Parents of Children with Disabilities, Ages 3-21:

 www.vesid.nysed.gov/specialed/publications/policy/psgn807

Download a Chart containing Cross Reference of NYS and Federal Law:

 www.phelanspecialedlaw.com/NY_Fed_cross_reference revised_June_2008.pdf

This chart compares the corresponding section numbers of the Federal IDEA, the Federal Regulations to the IDEA, and NYS law.

 

CASELAW

For a list of many of the noteworthy cases within the field of special education, go to:

www.wrightslaw.com/caselaw

This site enables you to look up NY State Review Officer cases, which are those appealed from IHO decisions/due process litigation [Then go to “topical index” OR “find a decision”]:

www.sro.nysed.gov

AUTISM LINKS

The Association for Behavior Analysis International:

www.abainternational.org

Advocates for Children’s Health Affected by Mercury Poisoning:

www.a-champ.org

Autism One:

www.autismone.org

Autism Research Institute:

www.autism.com

Autism Society of America:

www.autism-society.org

Autism Speaks:

www.autismspeaks.org

The Elija Foundation:

www.elija.org

Families for Early Autism Treatment:

www.feat.org

Generation Rescue:

www.generationrescue.org

Jessica Kingsley Publishers of books on Autism, Asperger Syndrome and other spectrum conditions:

www.jkp.com

A Ray of Hope Autism Awareness Jewelry:

www.jillarydesigns.com

Moms Against Mercury:

www.momsagainstmercury.org

National Autism Association:

www.nationalautismassociation.org

No Mercury:

www.nomercury.org

New Yorkers for Vaccine Information and Choice:

www.nyvic.org

Parents of Autistic Children:

www.poac.net

RDI = Relationship Development Intervention:

www.rdiconnect.com

SAFEMINDS = Coalition for Sensible Action for Ending Mercury-Induced Neurological Disorders:

www.safeminds.org

Spectrum Magazine:

www.spectrumpublications.com

Unlocking Autism:

www.unlockingautism.org

 

MISCELLANEOUS LINKS

 

Abilitations; Catalogue for Special Needs Equipment including OT/PT; 1-800-850-8602:

www.abilitations.com

Americans with Disabilities Act information:

www.ada.gov

Advocacy for Gifted and Talented Education in New York State:

www.AGATENY.com

Council for Exceptional Children:

www.cec.sped.org

Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder:

www.chadd.org

Circle of Inclusion:

www.circleofinclusion.org

Online resources to supplement From Emotions to Advocacy Book by Pete and Pam Wright:

www.fetaweb.com

Giant Leaps Occupational Therapy, PC; go to this site for a valuable list of resources including government resources, CPSE chairs, medical professionals, therapists, therapeutically valuable toys, problem solving techniques, play gyms and other activities for children.

www.giantleapsot.com/resources

List of developmentally appropriate and sensory enriched toys for children of all ages which encourage physical, emotional and social development:

www.giantleapsot.com/toys

NYS Department of Health - - includes information on the Early Intervention Program:

www.health.state.ny.us

Kids Together, Inc.:

www.kidstogether.org

Learning Disabilities Association of America:

www.ldaamerica.org

Learning disabilities and ADHD:

www.ldonline.org

MD Coalition for Inclusive Education:

www.mcie.org

NAET = Nambudripad’s Allergy Elimination Techniques:

www.NAET.com

National Association for Gifted children:

www.NAGC.org

National Association of Protection and Advocacy Systems:

www.napas.org

National Center for Learning Disabilities:

www.ncld.org

National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities:

www.nichcy.org

No Child Left Behind information:

www.nochildleftbehind.gov

Parents helping Parents:

www.php.com

“The Family Connection, Parent to Parent Program” – a family resource center – affiliated with the Westchester institute for human development - - providing assistance to families of children with disabilities and special health care needs:

www.parenttoparentnys.org

University of the State of NY State Education Department:

www.regents.nysed.gov

Rockland Special Education Resources:

http://rocklandspecialeducation.googlepages.com/

Special Education Network of New Canaan, Ltd.:

www.spednet.org

This site enables you to look up State Review Officer cases, which are those appealed from IHO decisions/due process litigation [Then go to “topical index” OR “find a decision”]:

www.sro.nysed.gov

TASH (Equal, Opportunity and Inclusion for People with Disabilities):

www.tash.org

US Department of Education:

www.ed.gov

“Parent Link” – Westchester:

www.westchesterparentlink.org

View a short and informative video about Autism, set to beautiful music, and the band Five for Fighting will donate $0.40 to Autism Speaks!

www.whatkindofworlddoyouwant.com/videos/view/id/408214

Westchester Institute for Human Development “Early Childhood Direction Center” – Information and referral services for children birth to age 5 who have special needs; serving Westchester, Putnam and Rockland County:

www.wihd.org

This is an invaluable resource for learning about special education. It has cases, statutes, articles, recent developments, advocacy tips, etc.
Also, you can register to receive their free, on line newsletter!

www.Wrightslaw.com

This site lists available resources within the field of special education including doctors, therapists, attorneys, etc.:

www.yellowpagesforkids.com

 

 

ONLINE RESOURCES

Online Newsletters:

To access a list of free online newsletters related to special education, go to:

www.wrightslaw.com/links/free_nwltrs

To access other online newsletters related to special education, go to:

www.2enewsletter.com

This newsletter has valuable information and resources about children who are both gifted and have learning difficulties.  They are known as "twice exceptional." Subscribe

Blogs:

Any comments or statements expressed on these Blogs by persons other than Patricia S. Phelan do not necessarily represent the opinions of Patricia S. Phelan and/or The Law Office of Patricia S. Phelan.

To access blogs devoted to issues relating to special education, go to:

At the Schoolhouse Gate 
 
   http://www.schoolhousegate.org/ 
 
Connecticut Education Law Blog 
 
   http://www.connecticuteducationlawblog.com/ 
 
The Edjurist Accord 
 
   http://edjurist.com/ 
 
The FAPE Page 
 
   http://fapepage.blogspot.com/ 
 
Hudson Valley Parent Blog  

Ms. Phelan also writes for the Hudson Valley Parent's Blog on issues related to special education, at:    http://forums.hvparent.com/blogs/   

The Law Office of Patricia S. Phelan 
 
   http://phelanspecialedlaw.wordpress.com/ 
 
On Special Education 
 
   http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/speced/ 
 
The School Law Blog 
 
   http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/school_law/ 
 
Special Ed Law Blog 
 
   http://specialedlaw.blogs.com/home/ 
 
Special Education Law Blog 
 
  http://specialeducationlawblog.blogspot.com/ 
 

 

 

DOWNLOADABLE RESOURCES

To access a list of free downloadable publications related to special education, go to:

www.wrightslaw.com/links/free_pubs

New York State Early Intervention Parent’s Guide for Children Ages 0-3:

www.health.state.ny.us/community/infants_children/early_intervention/parents_guide

Revised New York State Procedural Safeguard Notice: Rights for Parents of Children with Disabilities, Ages 3-21:

www.vesid.nysed.gov/specialed/publications/policy/psgn807

New York State Model Form Individualized Education Program:

Preschool Sample IEP Form:

www.vesid.nysed.gov/specialed/publications/policy/iep/preschooliep.htm

School Aged Sample IEP Form:

www.vesid.nysed.gov/specialed/publications/policy/iep/schoolageiep.htm

U.S. Department of Education’s Model Form Individualized Education Program:

http://idea.ed.gov/download/modelform1_IEP.pdf

Intake Packet - The Law Office of Patricia S. Phelan

Present Levels of Performance List

IEP Meeting Agenda form

IEP Meeting Attendance Record

Master Document List

Chart containing Cross Reference of NYS and Federal Law

 

BOOKS

CHILDREN'S BOOKS

No, David! By David Shannon

Please Say Please! Penguin’s Guide to Manners, By Margery Cuyler

Thank you, Mr. Falker, By Patricia Polacco

True and encouraging story of how a child conquers dyslexia, thanks to her wonderful teacher

The Way I Feel, By Janan Cain

Today I Feel Silly & Other MOODS That Make My Day, By Jamie Lee Curtis

When Sophie Gets Angry – Really, Really Angry…, By Molly Bang

OTHER BOOKS

Autism in your Classroom - - A General Educator's Guide to Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders, By Deborah Fein, Ph.D. & Michelle A. Dunn, Ph.D.

This book is a MUST for all educators working with children either diagnosed with or suspected of having an Autism Spectrum Disorder. It is also invaluable for any parent or other person advocating on behalf of a child on the Spectrum. This book will help the reader comprehend the many issues involved in both understanding and educating a child with an Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Autism/Aspergers: Solving the Relationship Puzzle, By Dr. Steven Gutstein

This book summarizes and justifies the basis for the RDI (Relationship Development Intervention) methodology for children on the Spectrum.

The Autism Sourcebook: Everything You Need to Know About Diagnosis, Treatment, Coping and Healing - - From A Mother Whose Child Recovered , By Karen Siff Exkorn

Building Bridges Through Sensory Integration, By Ellen Yack, B.Sc., M.Ed., O.T., Paula Aquilla, B.Sc., O.T., & Shirley Sutton, B.Sc. & O.T.

This book is a great overview of Sensory Integration and has easy to understand and practical suggestions for therapy for children with Autism and other PDDs.

The Complete IEP Guide – How to Advocate for your Special Ed Child, By Laurence M. Siegel

This is a great, easy to read and comprehend guide. It is a terrific overview for any parent advocating for a child with special needs. Particularly if you are new to the special ed arena…this book is a must!

The Elephant in the Playroom, By Denise Brodey

This book is a culmination of numerous stories written by ordinary parents detailing their intimate and candid experiences raising children with special needs.

The Explosive Child, By Dr. Ross W. Greene

This book helps understand easily frustrated, chronically inflexible children, and proposes a “collaborative solving” method with which to deal with these children and their maladaptive behavior.

From Emotions to Advocacy The Special Education Survival Guide, Second Edition, By Pam Wright and Pete Wright

This is a wonderful book which provides explanations of special education law and gives advocacy tips in order to educate and empower parents advocating for their children.

IEP and inclusion Tips for Parents and Teachers, By Anne I. Eason, Esq. and Kathleen Whitbread, Ph.D.

A wonderful, quick reading resource tool complete with great strategies to encourage a more collaborative relationship between parents and the school district, as well as to facilitate inclusive education for a child receiving special education services.

Is This Your Child?, By Doris Rapp, M.D.

A comprehensive book, including photographs, to assist in the discovering and treating of unrecognized allergies in both children and adults.

Let Me Hear Your Voice, By Catherine Maurice

This book details a real mother’s account of her family’s triumph over autism.

The New Social Story Book, By Carol Gray

This book contains and extensive compilation of social stories and illustrations to help children with autism spectrum disorders tackle everyday life situations.

The Out of Sync Child, By Carol Stock Kranowitz, M.A.

This book deals with “Recognizing and Coping with Sensory Integration Dysfunction”.

The Out of Sync Child Has Fun, By Carol Stock Kranowitz, M.A.

This book provides activities for kids with Sensory Integration Dysfunction.

The Power of Positive Parenting, By Dr. Glenn I. Latham

This book supplies parenting rules and strategies based upon the simple premise that “[r]esearch has shown that the most effective way to reduce problem behavior in children is to strengthen desirable behavior through positive reinforcement rather than trying to weaken undesirable behavior using aversive or negative processes.” (Dr. Sidney W. Bijou, The International Encyclopedia of Education, 1988)

Relationship Development Intervention with Young Children, By Dr. Steven Gutstein and Rachelle Sheely

This book provides social and emotional development activities for young children with Asperger Syndrome, Autism, PDD and NLD.

Replays: Using Play to Enhance Emotional and Behavioral Development for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, By Karen Levine and Naomi Chedd

This book gives the reader strategies to use to help children on the autism spectrum to access their emotions through interactive, symbolic play.

Special Diets for Special Kids, By Lisa Lewis, Ph.D.

Excellent overview of issues surrounding food allergies and dietary intervention into autism and related developmental disorders. Also contains recipes to assist in implementing the special diet.

Say Good-Bye to Illness, By Devi S. Nambudripad, M.D., D.C., L.A.c., Ph.D. (Acu.)

Say Good-Bye to Allergy-Related Autism, also By Dr. Nambudripad

These books explain a non-invasive, revolutionary treatment called NAET to battle allergies and allergy-related conditions including allergy-related autism. NAET incorporates various medical disciplines such as allopathy, acupuncture, chiropractic, kinesiology and nutrition.

THE SOCIAL SKILLS PICTURE BOOK Teaching play, emotion, and communication to children with autism, By Jed Baker, Ph.D.

This book has terrific real-life photographs which accompany its social skills rules to help teach children with autism how to develop their social skills.

S.O.S. Social Skills in Our Schools, By Michelle A. Dunn, Ph.D.

This book - - the only one of its kind - - is complete with charts, graphic organizers and other visual aids, details a social skills program for children with Pervasive Developmental Disorders (including high-functioning Autism and Asperger Syndrome) and their typical peers. The author is a definitive expert in children with PDD with a particular concentration on their social skills deficits.

Writing Measurable IEP Goals and Objectives, By Barbara D. Bateman and Cynthia M. Herr

This book helps parents and educators write present levels of performance and measurable IEP goals and objectives. It includes the latest updates in IDEA 2004. This book can be a wonderful resource when preparing for an IEP meeting.

ARTICLES

For articles about special education advocacy, go to:

www.wrightslaw.com/articles.htm

For articles about special education law, go to:

www.wrightslaw.com/law.articles.htm

“Kudos for Kaitlin”, ARCLIGHT Magazine, Fall/Autumn 2007, pp. 52-53 [Reprinted with permission from Rockland ARC/ARCLIGHT]

“Good News, Bad News”, Hudson Valley Parent Blog

“Advocating for Your Special Needs Child’s Education”, Hudson Valley Parent Blog

“Directing your child’s special education - HOW TO PROTECT YOUR CHILD WITH AN INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PROGRAM”, Hudson Valley Parent, P. 42, April 2008

“Spring is IEE Season! - Part I”, Hudson Valley Parent Blog

“Spring is IEE Season! - Part II”, Hudson Valley Parent Blog

“How to Prepare for an IEP Meeting”, By Patricia S. Phelan, ParentGuide, P. 14, March 2008

For short articles by Patricia S. Phelan about special education issues, please access the Hudson Valley Parent Blog at: http://forums.hvparent.com/blogs/, and The Law Office of Patricia S. Phelan’s Blog at: http://phelanspecialedlaw.wordpress.com/

HELPFUL PHONE NUMBERS


VESID [Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities] Special Education Quality Assurance Regional Offices:

VESID Special Education Quality Assurance in Albany – Bill Buhlman = 518-473-1185

Central NY Regional Office = 315-428-3287
Eastern Regional Office = 518-486-6366
Hudson Valley Regional Office = 914-245-0010
Long Island Regional Office = 631-884-8530
New York City Regional Office = 718-722-4544
Western Regional Office = 585-344-2002 x420

VESID Special Education Policy – Allison Connors = 518-473-2878

Local County Health Departments:
Rockland 845-364-2032
Orange 845-291-2333
Westchester 914-813-5090

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