Parents and educators know that children with Special Needs have gifts and talents and it’s just a matter of unleashing their full potential and making sure that parents and teachers have the right information, tools, and support to help the children flourish.On this episode of Family Comes First, “Parents Know Best” we meet with Christian and Terrie Killoran. Christian and Terrie have a son, Aiden who has Down syndrome. On the show, they share with us the story of their son, Aiden and their battle with the school district to allow Aiden to continue his education at the school that would be the normal path for him.

Aiden had been attending elementary school and his parents were planning on sending him to middle school in the same district however, that school does not have a program for children with special needs and will not accept him. This means that Aiden will have to attend a school in a neighboring community, one separate from his classmates and siblings. The larger issue they discuss is his future success within his community. As parents, they want Aiden to flourish in his community by getting a job once he graduates, developing relationships with people in his community and being successful as a contributing member of the community. They fear if he attends school outside of his community he will not have these opportunities.

During this show, we also skype with Sara Hart Weir, the Executive Director at the National Down Syndrome Society. Sara explains, “…people with Down Syndrome can live long healthy lives when they are given the extra support when they’re able to go to an inclusive school , like what we’re pushing for Aiden, they’re able to work in the community, go to post-secondary education and pursue their own hopes, dreams and aspirations, just like everyone else.”

Elizabeth Einhart, a special education teacher with a masters in special education joins us to give the educators perspective, having the knowledge of what is necessary to educate children with special needs. Elizabeth clarifies how in an integrated class setting, individualized education plan’s (IEP’s) helps provide some additional support to bridge the education of a student with special needs to the general curriculum. She also expresses how the whole point of having an integrated classroom setting is to expose the children to real life experiences and teach them about compassion and kindness.

Adrienne Arkontaky, a special needs attorney with the Cuddy Law Firm provides further insights and clarification on these issues discussed during the show.  Adrienne explains, “The responsibility of the school district is to provide a free appropriate public education at no cost to the families and what the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act says is that the school districts must provide an education in the lease restrictive environment and to the greatest extent possible in a community school.”

Every child is unique. Parents need to be engaged and proactive to ensure their child with special needs is afforded every opportunity to realize their full potential.

Resources

Cuddy Law Firm, P.L.L.C
Cuddy Law Firm, P.L.L.C is a Special Education Law Firm who specializes in providing comprehensive legal services to families of individuals with special needs.

 

National Down Syndrome Society

The mission of the National Down Syndrome Society is to be the national advocate for the value, acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome.