I think my child may need special help in school. What do I do? Begin by finding out more about special services and programs for students in your school system. Also find out more about the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

This law gives eligible children with disabilities the right to receive special services and assistance in school. These services are known as special education and related services. They can be important in helping your child at school.To learn more about special education, keep reading. The attached Briefing Paper will also help you learn how you and the school can work together to help your child.

What is special education?Special education is instruction that is specially designed to meet the unique needs of children who have disabilities. This is done at no cost to the parents. Special education can include special instruction in the classroom, at home, in hospitals or institutions, or in other settings. The instruction is specially designed:

• to meet the child's unique needs (that result from having a disability); and
• to help the child learn the information and skills that other children are learning.

This definition of special education comes from the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
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