Special Education Resources for Parents

Curated tools and guides to help you navigate the special education system, understand your rights, and advocate effectively for your child's educational needs.

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Parent Resources for Special Education Support

Access these curated resources to help you understand the special education system, IEP development process, and your rights as a parent of a child with a disability. These tools complement our advocacy services and empower you to be an effective advocate for your child.

Categories of Special Education Resources

Browse these resources by category to find the specific support you need for your special education journey.

Special Education Support

New York Region 1 Parent Training & Information Center (PTIC)

Collaborative with NYS Partners providing training and information to parents of children with disabilities. Access valuable resources for special education advocacy and support.

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Special Education Services

OPWDD Front Door

An introduction to accessing support services through New York State's Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD), providing guidance, eligibility criteria, and resources for families navigating the special education system.

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Learning Differences & IEP Support

Understood.org

Understood is a nonprofit proudly dedicated to supporting people with learning and thinking differences — a diverse community of 70 million people in the United States alone. Find resources on IEPs, 504 plans, and parent rights in education.

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Mental Health & Special Education

Child Mind Institute

An independent nonprofit dedicated to transforming the lives of children struggling with mental health and learning disorders. Offers resources for parents seeking special education support and guidance.

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Special Education Services

Support for Self-Directed Services

Resources for families of New Yorkers with intellectual & developmental disabilities who rely on self-directed services. Learn about educational rights and advocacy strategies for special needs students.

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Special Education Advocacy

Coalition For Self-Direction

Advocacy group working to preserve and advance self-directed services for individuals with disabilities. Provides guidance on education law and parent rights for students with special needs.

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Education Financial Aid

Understanding FAFSA

Comprehensive guide to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) process and requirements, with special considerations for students with disabilities transitioning to higher education.

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Education Policy Research

Center for New York City Affairs

Research institute focused on advancing innovative public policies in New York City, including special education reforms and disability education laws that impact students with learning differences.

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Social-Emotional Learning for Special Education

Jesse Lewis Choose Love Movement

Free Character Social Emotional Development (CSED) programs aimed at nurturing, healing, and creating safer, more connected school cultures for all students, including those with special learning needs.

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Mental Health in Special Education

FRIENDS Resilience Program

Programs designed to increase social and emotional skills, promoting resilience and preventing anxiety and depression across various age groups, with specialized approaches for students with disabilities.

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Special Education Resources

Twinkl Educational Publishing

A vast array of educational resources, including specialized materials focused on social-emotional learning and support for educators and parents of students with learning differences and disabilities.

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Inclusive Education Curriculum

Curriki

An online platform offering free, open educational resources, including curricula and instructional materials for K-12 education with adaptive approaches for students with special learning needs.

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Special Education Assessment

NYSED Resources

Official information about the New York State Education Department resources for students with cognitive disabilities, including guidance on educational rights, IEPs, and 504 plans.

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Need Personalized Special Education Guidance?

While these resources provide valuable information, navigating the special education system often requires personalized support. Our certified special education advocates can help you develop effective strategies for your specific situation.

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