Providing an opportunity for positive, open communication with her teachers and other professionals that work with her allow you to get a picture of her strengths and we. There may be times when there will be disagreement, but these issues can always be worked out. Listen to opinions of others on team. And don’t be afraid to add your viewpoints. It is only through this honest, open communication that you will be able to see total picture of your child’s strengths and weaknesses.

To get a good picture of her academic strengths and weaknesses, school is place to go. As your child’s parent, you are entitled to have access to her records at school. You have probably received copies of that information, but you do have right to view what is in her records in school office. Past and current report cards give you some information, as do any notes, reports, etc., that have been written by her teachers. The results of special education testing are also great indicators of what she does easily and what she struggles with. All this information should be in her school file. If you don’t understand what those results or reports are trying to say, talk with special education professionals who do understand it.

Remember, your child is not just a partial person. She is not just made up of weaknesses. She is a whole person. Her strengths are a large part of her.

Value her strengths; work with her on her weaknesses. But you can’t do either of these things unless you know what they are. Take charge. Find out.

For more plain talk about learning disabilities, please visit us at www.ldperspectives.com.

If you disagree with results either way, you have right to have him tested by someone outside school district. The district must pay for evaluation or show at a special hearing why it refused.

3) Placement

If you and school district agree that a learning disability was found, then you and team will decide best program for your child. The team will make up an Individualized Education Program (IEP) that will include goals and ways to measure those goals during year. It will also list services your child will get and any special aids or helps your child can get, such as special transportation or speech therapy if he needs it.

Your child is entitled to receive his services in "Least Restrictive Environment. "That means that he will receive services that are best for him in place that's best. For example, he won't be placed in resource room for help with math if he needs help only with reading. He won't be asked to stay in mainstream for spelling if he has a learning disability in that area. In other words, he will only receive help in things he needs help in.

It's important to be active in this process for your child. If you know process, you can make sure that it's followed correctly and that your child's rights are recognized. This doesn't mean that you always have to be on attack, but it does mean that you need to keep a watchful eye. Again, it all comes back to acting on behalf of your child, since he can't do that for himself. And, in long run, he will be more successful because of you.

For more plain talk about learning disabilities, please visit us at www.ldperspectives.com.