Connecticut and New York Special Education Attorney
Children with special needs face unique and difficult challenges on a daily basis. These challenges often increase and amplify when a special needs child enters school. Adding further wood to the fire, special education law is extremely complicated and confusing. There are countless acronyms, such as IEP, PPT, CSE, 504, BIP, FBA, AT, RTI, etc. Parents are often left wondering whether their child’s rights have been protected and what actions they can take to help their child.
Phillip J. Cohn will help you successfully navigate special education law and the schools. We believe that knowledge is power. With our help, you will have the knowledge to advocate for your child to ensure he/she receives an appropriate education in a healthy and safe environment.
We will help you navigate special education law
The firm 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, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD); and depression & anxiety. We take the time to meet with you and your child to discuss your child’s needs and develop a plan to address your concerns. We attend Planning and Placement Team meetings (PPTs), help develop Individual Education Plans (IEPs) and Section 504 Plans, and determine what rights your child may be entitled to as a result of his or her disability.
We will help you (1) understand whether your child is eligible for special education services under an IEP or 504 plan; (2) determine if your child is making appropriate educational progress, (3) identify and request the various services your child may be entitled to; and (4) advocate for your child’s rights, if you disagree with the school’s course of action. Our goal is to ensure that your child gains access to appropriate educational programming and placement, such as applied behavior analysis, supported inclusion, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, assistive technology, and preparation for gainful employment, etc.
We work collaboratively with you and the school system to help develop an appropriate educational program for your child, including special education services, extracurricular activities, sports, and other related services. In the event an agreement cannot be reached, we will pursue mediation, due process, and litigation to protect your child’s rights and procure an appropriate program for him/her. Working collaboratively with you and your child we take the time to obtain a comprehensive understanding of you and your child’s profile. This process typically includes:
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An initial telephone conference and/or in-person consultation with you and your child
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Educational record and file review
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Analysis and development of an action plan
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Follow up telephone conversations and next steps
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Correspondence with school personnel, such as directors of special education, teachers, etc.
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PPT and CSE planning and advocacy
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Settlement discussions
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Mediation and/or Due Process, if necessary