If your child is suspended from school, the following suggestions will help you protect his/her rights: 1.  Get the Facts First, talk to your child to determine exactly what happened and hear his/her side of the story. Next, contact your child’s school and request all school records regarding the charges and incident. Review the school…

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Attorney Phillip Cohn breaks down his representation in special education matters into the following three stages: Stage One.  This stage consists of conducting a consultation with the parents and, if appropriate, child to understand the unique needs of the child; submitting a complete school records request, performing a comprehensive file review; developing a detailed strategy to ensure the school district is following the law and meeting the…

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Attorney Phillip Cohn represents parents and their children in special education matters throughout Connecticut.  Mr. Cohn is skilled in identifying problems, proposing remedies, and negotiating solutions to protect children with special needs, including autism; asperger syndrome; pervasive developmental disorder (PDD); learning disabilities; attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADD / ADHD); dyslexia, tourette syndrome; personality disorder; bipolar disorder,…

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Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (hereinafter “Section 504”) is a civil rights statute that is intended to protect individuals with disabilities from discrimination for reasons related to their disabilities.  Under Section 504, a child shall be provided with access to an education.  A child shall receive reasonable modifications, accommodations, and/or services to…

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The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (hereinafter “IDEA”) is the federal statute that governs special education. The IDEA is an educational entitlement statute. If your child is found eligible under the IDEA, the public school district is responsible for providing him/her with an individualized education program and related services at their expense.  The IDEA has…

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Navigating Special Education Law: Attorneys Representing Parents & School Boards Discuss the Issues When:        April 26, 2010 Time:         6:45 – 8:30 pm Where:      Wilton Public Library, Brubeck Room, First Floor This free seminar will address what every parent should know about their child’s basic special education rights in and outside of school.  Hear both sides of the story…

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Parent Rights 101:  How to Resolve Special Education Disputes with your School District and Get What your Child Needs  When:        April 9, 2010 Time:         2:30 – 3:30 pm Where:      Annual CT PTA Conference, Trumbull Marriot Hotel, Trumbull, CT You may think you know how to work within the PPT process, but what happens when the process is not…

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Navigating Special Education Law & Advocacy When:        April 8, 2010 Time:         7:00 – 8:00 pm Where:      Total Learning and Therapy Center This free seminar will address what every parent should know about their child’s basic special education rights in and outside of school. Hear both sides of the story and learn how attorneys representing parents and school boards…

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Navigating Special Education Law: Attorneys Representing Parents & School Boards Discuss the Issues When:        April 7, 2010 Time:         6:45 – 8:30 pm Where:      Fairfield Public Library, Rotary Room, Second Floor This free seminar will address what every parent should know about their child’s basic special education rights in and outside of school.  Hear both sides of the story…

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I often characterize and describe disputes that arise in special education matters as a battle between David and Goliath. In the biblical story of David and Goliath, a Philistine giant, named Goliath, measuring over nine feet tall, and wearing full armor, mocked and challenged the Israelites to fight. The entire Israeli army was terrified of…

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