112: How to Access the Right Education Plan for a Child with Disabilities?

Education can open many doors in life, but if you’re the parent of a special needs child, it may seem like those doors are not only closed but padlocked, leaving you and you alone to chart the educational course for your special needs child.

Nearly a half-century ago, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, which became the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), guarantees a free and appropriate public education for students with disabilities. Yet to this day, many parents and guardians of special needs children don’t know how to access the services at their disposal because of this Act, nor do they even realize they’re available.

In this episode of Absolute Trust Talk, our guest will clear up some confusion surrounding this critical and complex topic. Kirsten Howe will speak with education consultant Kristen Sabo of National Care Advisors, who advocates for special needs children and connects them with the services they need to fully access their education — services guaranteed to them under federal law. Kristen has spent years working with school administrators, board members, families, and special needs students themselves, so she knows better than anyone just how impactful an effective educational team can be on the life of a child with disabilities. Throughout this discussion, you’ll hear Kristen emphasize the importance of a collaborative, individualized approach to getting her clients the best possible educational outcome, as every special needs child has their own unique academic challenges.

Join us as we discuss:

• The most common roadblocks that stand in the way of parents or guardians seeking the free and appropriate public education for their child that they’re entitled to by law.
• What factors impact a child’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP), how it is deemed appropriate for the student, and why it must change over time as the child matures?
• How Kristen’s role differs markedly from that of an attorney, and why her approach — which emphasizes collaboration and a positive long-term relationship among parents or guardians, the school district, and the special needs student — can foster proactivity that will serve the best interests of the special needs student.
• The variety of special needs services that might be needed and how those services can improve or hinder the effectiveness of an IEP depends on the student and their needs.  

And more!

All children, including children with disabilities, are legally entitled to a free education in this country. Our goal in this episode is to help you walk away with a better understanding of the support programs available and how to access them as needed if your child or a child you know is struggling with their educational path.