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| Jennifer Laviano and Julie Swanson |
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Listen to
Your Special Ed Rights with Jen & Julie
every Thursday on AutismOneRadio
3:00 pm Eastern / 2:00 p.m. Central / 12:00 p.m. Pacific
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Attorney Jennifer Laviano and Julie Swanson : Your Special Ed Rights with Jen & Julie
Jennifer Laviano and special education advocate and parent Julie Swanson answer your questions about your rights under the special education process in the United States. Jen and Julie provide practical advice, strategies, and solutions to the everyday issues you face with your child’s special education. Having represented hundreds of children throughout the special education process, Jen and Julie blend their individual and professional backgrounds to navigate you through this very complex system.
Julie and Jen cover the basics and hot topics in special education with a particular focus on the educational needs of children with autism spectrum disorders. This show both educates and entertains with segments on everything from disability trivia to outrageous examples that violate IDEA, the Indivuals with Disabilities Educaiton Act.
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April 2, 2009 | Bullying: No longer a Right of Passage
Bullying at school can have a devastating affect on children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Jen and Julie explain that bullying issues can be addressed through your child’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP) because all children should be able to feel safe at school.
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March 26, 2009 | Labels, labels, labels: What’s in a Name?
Just because your child has a diagnosis of autism, does not entitle them to receive special education services. Jen and Julie explain the crossfire between the medical and education models of Autism Spectrum Disorders.
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March 19, 2009 | Appropriately Addressing Behaviors in the IEP
Many students who have autism spectrum disorders can have inappropriate and/or interfering behaviors that affect their ability to access their education. Yet, too often, behaviors are not addressed effectively through the IEP. In addition, there are specific legal ramifications associated with how an IEP team addresses behaviors, including discipline. Join Attorney Jennifer Laviano and special education advocate Julie Swanson as they discuss how to ensure that your IEP team is appropriately addressing behaviors that get in the way of learning. Topics discussed will include Functional Behavior Assessments and Behavior Intervention Plans.
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March 12, 2009 | Understanding the Difference Between Inclusion and the Least Restrictive Environment
The term "inclusion" is often used by school staff to argue that all children with disabilities must be educated with their non-disabled peers as an absolute. However, the term “inclusion” is not actually in the IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) statute or regulations. Rather, IDEA states that children with disabilities are to be educated within the LRE (least restrictive environment) that is appropriate for their individual needs, and that to the “maximum extent appropriate” children with disabilities should be educated with children who do not have them. "Inclusion” is actually quite different from LRE. Join Attorney Jennifer Laviano and special education advocate and disability specialist Julie Swanson as they explore the differences between them, AND LEARN how it can affect your child’s educational program.
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March 5, 2009 | Transition Services and Why are they so Important for Kids with Autism Spectrum Disorders?
All too often, parents or caregivers of children who have autism spectrum disorders are not aware of the fact that their child may be eligible to receive educational services to prepare them for life beyond high school; often students are entitled to services for years after a “traditional” high school graduation - these services are called transition services. Attorney Jennifer Laviano and parent/special education advocate Julie Swanson inform listeners about what transition services are and why they are so important for many children who have autism spectrum disorders. Topics covered in the program: Definition of transition Time line for transition services Educational categories of transition services Important tips parents/caregivers must know about transition Disability Minute: The history of the diagnosis of autism The Most Outrageous IEP Meeting Comment: “We don’t do this for our regular education kids”
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February 26, 2009 | Education is Not Just Academics: Especially for Kids who have Autism Spectrum Disorders
Attorney Jennifer Laviano and parent/special education advocate Julie Swanson see a disturbing trend - kids who have autism are being denied as students who qualify for receiving special education, especially students whose autism symptoms by be more subtle. While it’s possible that kids who have autism may not qualify to receive special education, Jen and Julie explain that there are ways to qualify students that go beyond their academic success. Topics cover in the program: How autism can affect a child’s ability to access their education beyond academics Review of IEP (individualized education program) categories How to identify areas that affect education beyond academics The value of an ecological assessment The value of an FBA (Functional Behavior Assessment)
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