Tag Archives: inclusion

Bullying of Kids with Disabilities: How One Young Man Took Back Control

Published on March 31, 2011 by Jennifer Laviano

For followers of my blog, you know that the bullying of kids with disabilities is a subject that I believe has long been overlooked.  I have spoken and written about this topic for years, well before bullying was a fixture on the evening news. Recently, I had the chance to hear a very inspirational story about a [...]

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Cherry Picking IEP Members

Published on March 15, 2011 by Jennifer Laviano

Despite nearly 15 years practicing special education law in Connecticut, there are still some old tricks which school districts employ which astound me.  Not that I am surprised that they continue to do it, but rather, that they think I won’t notice after all of this time. One of the oldest tactics is when special [...]

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Paging Dr. Freud

Published on February 15, 2010 by Jennifer Laviano

I guess I was due for a rant. First, I get a vile comment on the blog that likened Asperger’s Disorder to a fad, and further blamed a number of disabilities on poor parenting.  Thankfully, you, my loyal readers, jumped on board and shamed this yahoo with your reasoned replies.  I have yet to learn [...]

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Let’s Add the “A” to “LRE”

Published on July 22, 2009 by Jennifer Laviano

If you have been spending any time at all in the special education community, whether as a parent, educator, or other professional, you have likely heard the term “least restrictive environment,” commonly referred to as “LRE.”  This provision of the IDEA states that:  “to the maximum extent appropriate, children with disabilities, including children in public [...]

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How the “PJ Case” Impacts Connecticut Special Education

Published on May 10, 2009 by Jennifer Laviano

If you are like many of my clients, you may have heard your school district mention the “PJ Case” at your IEP Team meeting.  What is it, and why is everyone talking about it? In 2002, the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut approved a settlement agreement and Consent Decree between the [...]

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Inclusion Is Not Osmosis

Published on April 28, 2009 by Jennifer Laviano

As most parents of children with special education needs have heard, children with disabilities are required, by law, to be educated in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) appropriate to meet their needs.  The strong preference is that we have our children with special education needs in the same educational setting that they would be in [...]

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