Understanding how the Special Education System works and the overall ARD process (Admission Review & Dismissal) in your school can be challenging, navigating through it all can be overwhelming and confusing. Our Special Education Consultants have created this list of Special Education Consultant books to help parents and caregivers begin to understand this complicated system and ensure their child has access to every resource they need to be successful in school and beyond!
Wrightslaw: Special Education Law, 2nd Edition
Attorney, Peter Wright, and his wife Pam Wright, put together this book that contains the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the federal law that governs special education. It also contains other laws such as Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), McKinney-Vento, and Supreme Court cases related to special education. It is a great foundation for anyone that wants to know more about the special education laws. Understanding these laws is important as they guide educational teams in the decisions they make for their students.
Wrightslaw: From Emotions to Advocacy: The Special Education Survival Guide
Peter and Pam Wright developed a survival guide for anyone that may be navigating the special education process, or helping others navigate it. This book can serve as a continuation of their Special Education Law book, and contains guidance such as creating a master plan, learning the rules of the game, overcoming the obstacles to success, understanding testing, SMART IEPs, and much more. It can truly help caregivers go from a state of high emotion while navigating the special education process. Furthermore, it can help them become effective advocates for their students.
Wrightslaw: All About IEPs
In this book, Peter and Pam Wright have compiled a comprehensive list of questions and answers about IEPs. They answer questions about IEP teams and meetings, parent rights, steps in developing the IEP, and strategies to resolve disagreements. Additionally, it includes advocacy tips and references to laws, and is a great tool for caregivers or school staff.
The Survival Guide for Kids with Behavior Challenges: How to Make Good Choices and Stay Out of Trouble (survival Guides for Kids)
I am a fan of this series of books., and not only because they have guidance and advice for caregivers. Equally important, they include parts for the kids themselves to read, and then sections for both to read together. There are no groundbreaking revelations in these types of books. Rather, these books include some things that are good to be reminded of. Their structure also helps us see effectiveness when navigating difficult roads.
Beyond the Diagnosis: The Path to Thriving as a Special Needs Parent
Hearing a diagnosis come out of a diagnostician’s mouth for the first time can be devastating for some parents. Some may feel doubt, disbelief, anger, confusion, or all of the above. What Amy Mattson tries to do in this book is to reassure her readers that there can actually be joy in your journey once you get to a place where you can start to experience it. She includes so many parts of the journey of finding joy beyond the diagnosis. Additionally, she includes action steps at the end of each chapter to challenge her readers. It can be difficult to see the positive in a diagnosis. However, this book helps readers get to that place where the next steps can be in a positive direction.
Becoming an Effective Special Education Consultant
We hope these books help you become an effective Special Education Consultant for your child. The Special Education System can be overwhelming and daunting to first understand. Nevertheless, these books are a great means to break through those barriers.
