Category Archives: connecticut

10 Special Ed “Back To School” Readiness Questions

It’s “back to school” time!  While many of my clients receive Extended School Year (ESY) services over the summer, I have learned over the years in my special education law practice that, regardless of whether your child receives ESY services, a number of things can occur over a summer that might impact his or her [...] Continue reading

Posted in attorneys fees under IDEA, connecticut, Connecticut Education, Connecticut Special Education, Connecticut Special Education Law, eligibility, Eligibility determinations, Eligibility under IDEA, ESY, extended sc, FAPE, IDEA claims, IEP Meetings, IEP Team, IEP Team meetings, IEP Teams, IEPs, Meaningful Parental participation, Special Education, Special Education Law and Advocacy, Special Education Law practice, special education laws, Tips for Parents, transition services | Comments Off

Phoebe Prince, Bullying, Disabilities, and the Eggshell Skull

There is a theory in the law known as the “eggshell skull principle”, which, in essence, means that a person who commits a wrongful act takes their victim as they find them.  For example, Person A hits Person  B over the head with a baseball bat.  Of course it’s an assault, but you’d also assume [...] Continue reading

Posted in Add new tag, attorneys fees under IDEA, bullying, bullying of kids with disabilities, connecticut, Connecticut Education, Connecticut Special Education, Connecticut Special Education Law, eligibility, Eligibility determinations, Eligibility under IDEA, emotional disabilities under IDEA, emotional disability, evaluations, FAPE, Occasional Rants, Special Education, Special Education Law and Advocacy, Special Education Law practice, special education laws, special education testing | Comments Off

The “Dream” Program

So, I already have a page of Ridiculous Comments made by school district personnel, and their lawyers.  But lately, I’ve decided that my clients have some doozies also…so I’ve created this page:   Truly Funny, Sad, Insightful, or Outrageous Quotes From Parents. My clients inspire me.  They really do.  I can not imagine how they manage [...] Continue reading

Posted in attorneys fees under IDEA, connecticut, Connecticut Education, Connecticut Special Education, Connecticut Special Education Law, FAPE, IDEA claims, IEP Meetings, Meaningful Parental participation, Special Education, special education attorneys, Special Education Law and Advocacy, special education laws, special education lawyers, Truly Funny, Sad, Insightful, or Outrageous Quotes from Parents | Comments Off

Connecticut Enacts Important Autism Legislation

Another late night at the Capitol last night, showing support for the passage of HB 5425.  Around midnight, just before the legislative session ended, the Senate voted by consent (unanimously) to pass HB 5425.  Yes, this is the same bill that previously included very concerning language regarding Connecticut’s Burden of Proof in special education due [...] Continue reading

Posted in ABA services, ABA services and BCBA credentials, ABA services in IEP, Autism, Autism spectrum disorders, connecticut, Connecticut autism legislation, Connecticut Education, Connecticut Special Education, Connecticut Special Education Law, CT autism laws, due process, due process hearings, IDEA, IDEA claims, IEP Meetings, IEP Team, IEP Team meetings, IEP Team Members, IEP Teams, Parent networking for disabilities, Special Ed - CT specific, Special Education, special education attorneys, Special Education Due Process Hearings, Special Education Law and Advocacy, special education laws | Comments Off

What is Connecticut’s “DDS”?

If you have been a resident of Connecticut for a while, you might be confused when you hear references to “DDS.”  What is this?  Is this a new State agency?
In Connecticut, DDS is the Department of Developmental Services; it is the agency formerly known as “DMR,” or the “Department of Mental Retardation.”
Many in the disability [...] Continue reading

Posted in Adult services for individuals with disabilities, connecticut, Connecticut disability rights, Connecticut Education, Connecticut Special Education, Connecticut State Agencies, CT adult services for disabilities, Department of Developmental Services, Department of Mental Retardation, Special Ed - CT specific | Comments Off