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.

Don't be afraid to stand up for your child. Sometimes, because child's progress needs to be discussed at PET, things can sound somewhat negative. It’s vital to ask for good things that are going on with child as well, and when you disagree with something a PET member says, express your feelings. Your child can't do that for himself - he needs you for you to do that for him.

Your child may not be able to tell others what they need. They may not know, themselves. Or they may not have language to express their needs. Or, they may feel intimidated to tell adults what is going on with them even if they do know how to express themselves. It is up to you to help PET understand needs of your child and to speak up for him or her.

Remember, your child's education affects rest of his life, and it’s in your hands. It is a great responsibility, there’s no doubt about it. But you know your child better than anyone else. You are your child's best advocate. You can do it!

For more up-to-date plain talk about learning disabilities, please visit us at www.LDperspectives.com.