2018 was a year of change for our family. The military moved us across country, my twin boys (one with Down syndrome) started kindergarten, and I started a special education advocacy business. So, far all those ventures have been a success. We found a school in Washington state that believes in inclusion. My twins are in the same general education classroom; my son with Down syndrome is receiving supports inside the regular classroom. With my youngest child still at home, I’ve started slow with my special education advocacy business…but things are heating up with phone calls from around the nation and some special clients locally.
What hasn’t changed is my need to learn everything about special education law, inclusion, and the disability civil rights movement. And I still love sharing what I’ve learned on this blog. Judging from my top 5 read blog post, you are eager to learn more too.
My New Year’s Resolution is to help more families advocate for their child with a disability in school. To secure their child’s civil right to a Free and Appropriate Education in the Least Restrictive Environment. To share what I’ve learned from this venture with you here. Please let me know if you need help. Click on the “services” tab on the menu to learn more.
So without further ado, here are the Top 5 Blog Posts of 2018:
- Least Dangerous Assumption: This theory that explains the bigotry of low expectations we set for people with disabilities will blow your mind. It will change how you view every IEP meeting you attend. It’s a must know in the new year!
- Why Your Child Needs a “No Consent” Letter for Seclusion and Restraint: It’s the blog post that I wish wasn’t in the top 5, but has obviously hit a nerve. This post consistently ranks in the top 3 blog post on my blog on any given day. It’s disturbing, and speaks to the dark side of special education. There’s been too many instances of seclusion and restraint across the nation this year. Still, the post gives you some guidance on how to prevent seclusion and restraint tactics from happening to your child. I gave my son’s school a “No Consent” letter as soon as we moved here. The district already has a policy against these tactics, but I respectfully and politely pushed to have this in his file just in case. The IEP team completely understood my concerns.
- Teen with Down Syndrome Wins Inclusion Case in Federal Court: The Down syndrome community and all special education students had a huge victory in federal court this year in the case of Luka vs. Hamilton County School District in Tennessee. Luka and his Mom sacrificed a lot to ensure he received the education he deserved; and their bravery has a positive impact on us all.
- Using a Recent Federal Court Case at Your Next IEP Meeting: Luka’s mom specifically talks about how you can use her son’s case at your own child’s IEP meeting to fight for inclusion. Her words will stay with you…check it out!
- 7 Research Studies You Can Use At Your Child’s Next IEP Meeting to Win the Fight for Inclusion: This was one of the most shared blog post of the year. Did you know there’s not one research study since IDEA was signed into law more than 40 years ago that says a separate setting shows an academic benefit for students with intellectual disabilities. Find out what the research says about all the benefits of inclusion!
