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Inclusion

Disability Dispatch: What You Need to Know

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Are you on the go but still want to be in the know? Take a look at these highlights for your guide to special education and disability news over the past few weeks.

Sports and Inclusion: Raising Athletes of all Abilities

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I dare you to watch this trailer for the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Games and not feel motivated, encouraged or proud. And maybe a little taken over by emotion recognizing all of the strength, determination and heart of those athletes. (I’m not crying, you’re crying…)

Checking the Boxes: Diagnosis and Belonging

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During a past focus group for Exceptional Lives, we received the following feedback: “If I see a particular diagnosis mentioned, or I don’t see my child’s diagnosis, I assume it’s not for me.” This makes perfect sense. As parents and caregivers, we have a lot of information to sift through; we need to know what […]

How to Win when you Play to Lose

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Everybody loves to win. Children naturally infuse winning into their day; “First one to the slide gets (fill in the blank)”, “My (fill in the blank) is (better, bigger, stronger) than yours!” I’ll admit, as a mom, I do it too! I almost always regret it, but when the three boys take on sloth-like qualities […]

Ask the Attorney: My young child isn’t forming words like the rest of her peers. Do I have to wait until she is in school to get help?

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While all kids develop differently, you know your child best. If you’ve noticed differences in development between your child and other peers her age, then more information and expert advice will help you understand your options and make informed decisions about your child’s speech and language.

The Resources Are There. How Can We Connect More Families to Them?

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The stress, emotion, and confusion that accompany a diagnosis for your child can be overwhelming. We are excited to share an article by Ricki Meyer, Exceptional Lives’ Director of Policy and Legal Operations, that discusses how our free resources can help parents and caregivers navigate the various disability systems and accompanying emotions upon receiving a diagnosis […]

Ask the Attorney: What is the RISE Act and How Can It Help My College-Aged Student?

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The Respond, Innovate, Succeed Empower (“RISE”) Act is a piece of legislation that, if it becomes law, will make college more accessible for students with disabilities, especially those who have learning and attention issues such as dyslexia or ADHD.

Ask the Attorney: What Happens to My Child’s Special Education Rights in a Private School?

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I’m glad you brought this up. There are several layers to this question in terms of both your rights and your child’s rights under the special education law called the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).