LD OnLine Newsletter

First-Day Jitters: Not Just for Kids

September 2010

The end of summer can be tough on parents, too. Like their kids, parents often worry they aren’t prepared to handle new teachers, schedules, and rules. Parents who have kids with LD and ADHD should be especially diligent about anticipating school-related roadblocks and planning ahead. Here are some tools that can help.

Back to School: Tips for Parents of Children with Special Needs

For parents of children with special needs, September means a return to IEP meetings and strict daily routines. These eight tips can help ease the transition back to school for the entire family.
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Navigating Admissions with a Learning Disability

The president at a Massachusetts university says parents of college-bound students with learning challenges should get started now on this list of "to do's," which includes updating test results and exploring study spaces.
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Ask the Legal Expert

A parent says: My daughter receives accommodations for ADHD but doesn't have a formal 504 plan. What can I do to make sure she gets this documentation?

Matt Cohen, a special education lawyer, says the school needs to look at more than just grades to determine eligibility for a Section 504 plan.
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Recommended Book

Negotiating the Special Education Maze
This text covers all the steps of the special ed process, from evaluation to developing an IEP to transitioning out of school.
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I Am Dyslexic

This poem by Katelyn, age 17, describes what it feels like when she tries to read and "the words are dancing around the page."
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Teacher Grant: DonorsChoose

Do you have a project idea for your classroom but no way to fund it? Submit a one-page essay explaining what you need, and DonorsChoose will find people to contribute.
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