Connecticut Education | Special Ed Justice | Connecticut Special Education Lawyer

10 Special Ed “Back To School” Readiness Questions

Published on August 30, 2010 by Jennifer Laviano

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 [...]

Phoebe Prince, Bullying, Disabilities, and the Eggshell Skull

Published on August 10, 2010 by Jennifer Laviano

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 [...]

Filed Under Occasional Rants Tags: 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, special education, Special Education Law and Advocacy, Special Education Law practice, special education laws, special education testing

The Calm Before The Storm

Published on June 29, 2010 by Jennifer Laviano

I feel a little guilty for having neglected my blog most of this month, but the volume of IEP meetings, mediation, and Due Process Hearing commitments has prohibited me from writing much other than responses to Motions to Dismiss, 10 day notice letters, and a whole lot of nasty grams!
The month of June has left [...]

Filed Under Parents Tags: Connecticut Education, Connecticut Special Education, Connecticut Special Education Law, Due Process, FAPE, IDEA, IDEA claims, IDEA Due Process Hearings, IEP Meetings, IEP Team, IEP Team meetings, IEP Team Members, IEPs, Meaningful Parental participation, Mediation, special education, special education attorneys, Special Education Due Process Hearings, Special Education Law and Advocacy, Special Education Law practice, special education laws, special education lawyers

The “Dream” Program

Published on May 29, 2010 by Jennifer Laviano

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 to [...]

Filed Under Truly Funny, Sad, Insightful, or Outrageous Quotes from Parents Tags: 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

Connecticut Enacts Important Autism Legislation

Published on May 6, 2010 by Jennifer Laviano

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 [...]

Filed Under Special Ed - CT specific Tags: 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 education, special education attorneys, Special Education Due Process Hearings, Special Education Law and Advocacy, special education laws

You’re Not Invited

Published on December 15, 2009 by Jennifer Laviano

How is it that, in disputes between parents and school districts, whenever an IEP Team Member starts to align their recommendations with the parents’ position, they suddenly stop getting invited to that child’s IEP Meetings? In my Connecticut special education law practice, I see this all the time.
Example 1: the parents believe that their child [...]

Filed Under Tips for Parents Tags: Connecticut Education, Connecticut Special Education, Connecticut Special Education Law, Duly Constituted IEP Team, IDEA, IEP Team, IEP Team meetings, IEP Team Members, IEP Teams, Invitation to IEP meetings, special education, Special Education Law

What is Connecticut’s “DDS”?

Published on October 27, 2009 by Jennifer Laviano

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 [...]

Filed Under Special Ed - CT specific Tags: 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

How You Can Help Your Special Education Advocate or Attorney

Published on June 28, 2009 by Jennifer Laviano

If you have decided to retain the services of either a special education attorney or a non-attorney advocate, you are about to embark upon a difficult, but hopefully successful, venture together. Most professionals charge for their time, and many do so by the hour. Therefore, if you have made the decision to hire such an [...]

Filed Under Tips for Parents Tags: Attorney/Client Relationship, Connecticut Education, Connecticut Special Education, due process hearings, IDEA cases, Mediations, special education, Special Education Law

10 Tips for Starting a Special Education Law Practice, Part IV

Published on May 8, 2009 by Jennifer Laviano

The stakes are incredibly high when one is representing the interests of children with special education needs. While I think it is a good idea to weigh the “pros and cons” of entering any field of practice, or any profession for that matter, my personal belief is that this particular calling requires more consideration, research [...]

Filed Under Special Ed Attorneys Tags: Connecticut Education, Connecticut Special Education, special education, special education attorneys, Special Education Law, special education lawyers

10 Tips for Starting a Special Education Law Practice, Part III

Published on May 6, 2009 by Jennifer Laviano

The stakes are incredibly high when one is representing the interests of children with special education needs. While I think it is a good idea to weigh the “pros and cons” of entering any field of practice, or any profession for that matter, my personal belief is that this particular calling requires more consideration, research [...]

Filed Under Special Ed Attorneys Tags: Connecticut Education, Connecticut Special Education, Disability conferences, special education, Special Education Advocacy, Special Education Attorney, Special Education Law, Special Education Law practice

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