http://www.parentcenterhub.org/repository/idea/ This website provides detailed information about The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The IDEA was set in place in 1975 to ensure that children with disabilities were provided a free appropriate education, just like other children.
http://www.wrightslaw.com/ Web site that provides accurate, up-to-date information about special education law and advocacy.
http://www.parentcenterhub.org/repository/iep/ This gives an ease to understand explanation of the Individualized Education Plan or IEP process.
http://www.ncld.org/students-disabilities/iep-504-plan/individualized-education-program-headquarters?gclid=CO-m3tTUpMACFU4F7Aod3yoAcw The National Center for Learning Disabilities which provides all the information you need to understand the Special Education Process.
Asperger Syndrome and the Elementary School Experience: Practical Solutions for Academic & Social Difficulties by Susan Thompson Moore.
Description: Written by an educator and mother of two children with autism spectrum disorders, this resource is comprised of practical ideas for addressing the academic and social needs of elementary-aged children with Asperger Syndrome. Intended for both teachers and parents, specific topics include organizational accommodations, accommodations in the curriculum, developing social skills and the importance of home-school communication. Forms, checklists, and other visuals make these helpful ideas easy to implement.
Realizing the College Dream With Autism or Asperger Syndrome: A Parent's Guide to Student Success by Ann Palmer.
Description: Realizing the College Dream with Autism or Asperger Syndrome is both a practical and a personal account of one ASD student's successful experience of going to college. This accessible book focuses on how to get there and stay there: deciding to go, how to get in and how to get the most out of it. Ann Palmer advises parents and professionals how to prepare the student for the transition from school and home life to a new environment and educational challenge, and how to support them through potential problems such as academic pressure, living away from home, social integration and appropriate levels of participation in college. She offers helpful strategies that will encourage and inspire parents and students and show that college can be a suitable option for students with an autism spectrum disorder, as well as the basis for a successful independent life later. This book is essential reading for any parent considering college as an option for their child, disability service providers in colleges and for ASD students themselves.
DSS Disabilities in College and Community Settings: Strategies for Planning Implementation and Evaluation by DSS.
Description: Traditionally, students with significant disabilities, such as autism, mental retardation, or multiple disabilities, receive transition services in a public high school setting until they are 21 or 22 years old. While this is an appropriate setting for students with disabilities during ages 14-18, it may not be the most appropriate or motivating setting for older students with significant disabilities. Growing numbers of parents, researchers, and practitioners are advocating that these older students should receive transition services in the same college and community settings that are experienced by their 19-21 year old peers without disabilities. This user-friendly book provides a base for those who design, implement, or evaluating transition services for students with significant disabilities in a college or community setting. If you've never had experience in these processes, this book will help you get started. Transition services provided in college and community settings benefit these older students by increasing their access to new environments and activities and by providing opportunities for flexible scheduling and interagency collaboration.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XMndYNEGFA&feature=player_detailpage An easy to understand 7 minute video of IDEA in action.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FU3dGQWZzx8&feature=player_detailpage An eight minute video that explains the 7 steps of the IEP.
http://www.kidstogether.org/IEP/iepd-10-mistakes.htm This is a non-profit by Kids Together, INC. which provides guidelines to help prepare you for your child's IEP meeting.
http://www.asaetc.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/VKCLEND-PlanLifeAfterHighSchool-Sept11.pdf This document from Tennessee outlines the transition process from high school to adulthood. (Note: This is a pdf file and will be downloaded to your computer when clicked.)
(Some forums require you to sign in to Yahoo or Facebook to locate forum names.)
Forum Name: Parent IEP/Special Education Community User Group
http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Parent-IEP-Special-Education-Community/show/624 A parent forum to discuss IEPs.