How schools fail special needs children

Part 1 of a never-ending story!     Some of the ways that schools fail special needs children: communication, training, allowing good teachers to teach, involving parents, doing the right thing, honesty, paying professionals with  special education what they are worth, testing, lack of outside time, class size, providing resources to help parents at home…

FDLRS and Child Find: Finding Services through the public school system

Early Steps transitions to FDLRS or Child Find.   FDLRS stands for Florida Diagnostic & Learning Resources System.  FDLRS is a state-wide agency that provides various resources for children with developmental delays or special needs under the Federal law Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA).  If you visit the home site you can find the county…

PARC first to help

PARC was the first agency to help my son.  I tried to get help first from Early Steps. We went through the evaluation but my son did not score low enough to start receiving services.  When I sent my son to a private school, they suggested the PARC Family Focus Program.  The Family Focus Program…

Happy Cry

  I had two stressful days….well, I’ve had a stressful four months. Today, when I opened my son’s folder from school there was a note from the teacher.  There is normally a note.  However, today was different.  “Max had a great day. He was able to express his needs/wants with us.”    And then I start…

It’s working!!!!

So, I am proud to say that “IT”S WORKING!!!” It’s been a long 4-5 months but the changes that have been put into place are working!  School, private speech, private OT, social skills class and home are all on the same page.  Every adult that assists Max has commented in the last 6 days how…

Doing what’s best for your child….the teacher or the mom?

Update to a post first written 2 years ago! So, I gave some damn good advice there!  And I even followed my own advice!  In two years, we have completed the diagnosis process as well as the early intervention process to enter into an IEP and public schools.  Now, we are fine tuning therapy and…