Special Education

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Chapter Contact Info:

109 Panther Paw Path
Williamsburg, VA 23185
Chapter Phone Number:  (757) 564-6106
 ABA Support Page State Regulations Surviving Special Ed Parent Workshop

Local School - Special Education Departments:

New Horizons Center for Autism (Regional school)
1501 Kiln Creek Parkway Newport News, VA 23602.
Contact: Kelly Wood, Director of Special Education Programs
Phone: (757) 874-4444
Fax (757) 886-0290.
 
They work specifically with children with autism. Referrals made through the IEP process in the local school district your child attends.
 
Hampton
303 Butler Farm Road
Suite 108, Hampton, VA 23666
Contact: Sharon Warren
Phone: (757) 896-8220
 
Gloucester County
6385 Main Street
Gloucester, VA 23061
Contact: Fran Goforth
Phone: (804) 693-5739
 
Newport News
12465 Warwick Blvd.
Newport News, VA
Robert Pietrasanta
Phone: (757) 591-4597
 
Newport News Public School - web site for Special Education
 
Surry County Schools
(Please contact us with information)
 
West Point County
(Please contact us with information)
 
Williamsburg/James City County
 
3925 Midland Road
Williamsburg, VA
Contact: Rick Richardson
Phone: (757) 229-9552
 
York County
 
302 Dare Road
Yorktown, VA
Contact: Suzanne Creasey
Phone: (757) 898-0308
 

State Regulations web site for Virginia Department of Education Special Educatio

How to Survive Special Education

  1. Get a 3-ring notebook, dividers, and a 3-hole punch.

  2. File all documents pertaining to your child's education in this order. (all evaluations, eligibility minutes, IEP, all correspondences, disciplinary reports, report cards, standardized test scores/reports, you notes on conferences, phone calls).

  3. Make sure you read and understand the Department of Education publication "Regulations Governing Special Education Programs for Children with Disabilities in Virginia".  The handbook should be giving to you at the eligibility meeting.

  4. If you want further detail on the regulations, call the Department of Education or visit their website. (see below).

  5. Always try to resolve problems at the lowest level.  Confer with the teacher first, principal or special education coordinator, depending on the nature of the problem.  Only if that is unsuccessful, should you file a formal complaint.  In that case, consider using an advocate to help resolve the problem.  If that is not successful or if the problem is extreme, Due Process proceedings may be required.  (Our chapter has a list of advocates)

  6. Many support groups are available, including our chapter.  These groups can offer moral support from other parents who have "been there, done that" and many times can offer advice and a list of advocates.

  7. Be knowledgeable about your child's disabilities.  Ask many questions of your doctor, teachers, and evaluators, and other parents.  Ask that, any terms that are unfamiliar to you be explained.

  8. At the Eligibility meeting ask that the child is categorized with the definition of "autism", and not "developmentally delayed".  You may want to request a specialist in autism to provide the input at the eligibility meeting.   In addition, related services should be discussed while the professionals are there.

  9. Prepare for the IEP meeting by:

  • Review the old IEP objectives (which ones were not met or were not mastered?)

  • Review the old report card(s) (were there problems noted in behavior, study skills, or social skills?

  • Determine which goals you feel should have priority

  1. At the IEP meeting, share your unique view of your child with the school personnel. Remember, they may see very different things in the school setting.  Both sets of information are important.  See also Effective IEP checklist at the PEATC (Parents Educational Advocacy Training Center) website for more information.

  2. As the IEP is developed, it may help to work from specific guidelines.  You may ask to use the Standards of Learning to focus on specific academic skills and/or a developmental checklist may help in developing goals and objectives. You may want check out O.A.S.I.S. (Online Asperger's Syndrome Information and Support), they have a wonderful behavioral checklist to assist parents in writing goals and objectives.

  3.  Remember that although the IEP is generally developed to cover one year, it can be revised at any time, and parents may call an IEP meeting at any time.

  4. Do not sign the IEP at the meeting, ask for a copy to take home so that you may go over it carefully, to make sure you agree with the entire document.  If you still have questions or concerns, call another IEP meeting and ask the IEP team to explain, or make changes before you sign.  Only sign when you agree with the entire document.

  5. If you are notified of a projected change to your child's IEP or placement with which you no not agree, notify the school of your objection, in writing, within ten days of the notice.

  6. Written parental consent is required before:

  • Pre-placement evaluations

  • Initial placement in special education

  • A change in identification

  • A change in identification of a handicapping condition

  • A change in program/placement, including a partial or complete termination of  special education and services

  • Any evaluations and triennial assessment components

Should you need assistance in resolving your concerns about your child's special education program after consideration of all of the above, you may contact the Department of Rights of Virginians with Disabilities for no-cost help. Phone: (800) 552-3962 or Voice/TDD:  (804) 225-2042, Web site: www.cns.state.va.us/drvd

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