Special education
Special education, from the first evaluation to a plan that works
If your child is struggling and the school says “let’s wait and see,” you can ask for an evaluation in writing, and the school has to answer. We help parents ask for the right evaluations, read the results, and come to the eligibility and IEP meetings with a clear list of what their child needs.
Most of our special education work never goes near a hearing. It’s a careful letter, a well-prepared meeting, and a plan with goals you can measure.
What we do in a special education case
The work depends on where you are. These are the parts families ask us for most.
Asking for an evaluation
A written request that names every area of concern, so nothing is left out of the testing.
Reading the results
We go through each report with you and mark what it shows, what it misses, and what to ask.
Eligibility meetings
We help you show how your child’s disability affects learning, with the school’s own data.
Writing the IEP
Goals with a starting point and a target, services with minutes, and who is responsible.
Checking progress
We read the progress reports with you and ask for a meeting when the numbers stall.
Moving schools
An IEP that follows your child to a new school, or a new district, without starting over.
What parents ask about special education
Does my child need a diagnosis to get an evaluation?
No. A doctor’s diagnosis can help, but the school evaluates on its own. What matters is whether your child has a disability that affects learning and needs specialized instruction.
The school offered a 504 plan instead. Is that the same thing?
No. A 504 plan gives accommodations; an IEP adds specialized instruction and services, with goals and progress reports. We can help you see which one fits your child.
Can I bring someone to the IEP meeting?
Yes. Parents can bring a relative, a friend, an advocate or a lawyer. Tell the school ahead of time; if a lawyer is coming, the school may bring one too.
How long does all this take?
There are deadlines for each step, and they vary by state. We put them on a calendar for you at the first meeting so you know when to expect an answer.
Not sure where to start? Start with the file
Send us what the school has given you so far. We’ll tell you what we see, and what we’d ask for next.
A first call doesn’t make us your lawyers; a signed engagement letter does.