Clinical Insights

For the latest news from our centers, as well as relevant Autism information for you and your loved one

Federal Appellate Court Decision Upholds Right of Connecticut Students with Disabilities to Public Education Until Age 22

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.

Don’t forget about Page 8: Tips for Maximizing your Child’s IEP

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.

Discussing the Loss of a Loved One with your Child with Special Needs

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. Helping your child with special needs through the loss, all while you grieve yourself, can be equally intimidating.