The Complete IEP Guide: How to Advocate for Your Special Ed Child

The Individualized Education Program, or IEP, determines the nuts and bolts of your child's special education. But it's easy to get lost in the paperwork and bureaucracy.

The Complete IEP Guide is your map through the IEP process. The book provides all the instructions, suggestions, strategies, resources and forms you need to proceed from when you first suspect a problem to when your child completes school. Learn to:

*understand special education law
*untangle eligibility rules and the role of assessments
*collect all school records
*become an expert on your child's educational needs
*pinpoint specific goals in school
*develop a clear blueprint of program and services
*research school programs and alternatives
*prepare for IEP meetings
*resolve disputes with your school district

The Complete IEP Guide provides up-to-date, federal special-education laws and extensive appendices, including a list of over 125 groups and organizations. The 3rd edition is completely updated, and provides new information on disciplinary issues, and making the jump from high school to college or work.

Whether you're new to the IEP process or entering it once again, this user-friendly guide is your outline for an effective educational experience for your child.

Lawrence Siegel has been a Special Education Attorney and Advocate since 1979, and has represented children with disabilities extensively in IEPs, due process, complaints, legal action and before legislative and policy bodies. Mr. Siegel has lectured and consulted with advocacy and parent groups throughout the country and is a member of the California Advisory Commission on Special Education. He has written special education legislation that has been adopted in several states and is the author of Least Restrictive Environment: The Paradox of Inclusion (LRP Publications, 1994). Mr. Siegel is the founder and Director of the National Deaf Education Project which works to ensure that the fundamental communication needs of deaf and hard of hearing children are part of the educational system. He lives in Fairfax, California, with his wife Gail and two daughters, Catie and Elisabeth.