Clinical Insights

HARTFORD (July 8, 2021)—A federal appellate court has ruled that the federal court in Connecticut was correct when it decided last year that special education students have a right to a free, appropriate public education until they reach the age of 22. The ruling, by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, came today in a lawsuit that had challenged Connecticut’s state law as being in conflict with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), a federal law that protects the rights of students with disabilities.

Your child’s Individualized Educational Program, or IEP, is one of the most important parts of their education. The IEP provides the specifics of what instruction should include, what will be taught, and how success will be measured. It also includes those accommodations, supports, and modifications that must be provided based on your child’s individual needs in order for him/her to access and benefit from the educational plan that has been developed.

Gift giving is a joyous component of the holiday season however it can be challenging to find the perfect gift for some of our loved ones.

Transitioning from school to adulthood can be an exciting and challenging time for students with special needs and their families. Frequent questions include:

The world of autism can be overwhelming to navigate: which treatments work? Which are proven to be effective? Which could be harmful? What is best for my child?

The loss of a family member is a tremendously overwhelming experience to the most prepared adults. We often struggle to comprehend the loss, to make sense of the future without our loved one, or to know what the “right way” to grieve might be.

As the school year quickly approaches, books, binders and back-to-school outfits are top of mind for parents and students alike. Many children and adults are excited to start a new school year, but for students with disabilities, the transition back to school can come with some challenges.

Reading only matters if you can understand what you read. For some children with developmental disabilities, they may be able to read the words and sentences accurately and fluently.

Spring break is fast-approaching and you may want to brave Disney, hit the beaches, or fly to see family. If you are considering taking a plane with your child with special needs, but are fearful of how they will do, here are some tips that may make the trip a little easier.

Transitioning from school to adulthood can be an exciting and challenging time for students with special needs and their families. Questions like “what’s next?”, “is college right for my child?”, “what supports does my child need to live independently?” are all common for parents of children with special needs.