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Dyslexia Revisited
While I am first and foremost a lawyer, I have a deep interest in reading interventions and other special education matters. Although I was already a attorney when my son was diagnosed with dyslexia and dysgraphia, my research into educational approaches led me to this career as a special education […]
Special Needs Considerations in Divorce/Custody Cases
Divorce and or Separating is difficult under any circumstances. When there is a child or children with special needs involved this makes matters more complicated. There is no one-size fits all solution. Residency and Choice of School District: In Illinois the statute does not use the word “custody”. One […]
Back To School 2026-2027
School Year Checklist for Your Child with Special Needs Every year it seems that school begins earlier. It is the end of July, and the stores are stocked with school supplies. Admittedly, I love looking at and buying things for the start of school. However, as a parent of child […]
Illinois Special Education Under Strain
What the CPS Cost Surge and ISBE’s AI Warning Mean for Families Two recent developments in Illinois special education tell a connected story. Chicago Public Schools is spending nearly twice what it did in 2019 on special education, driven by a surge in students who need services. At the same […]
504 Plan vs. IEP: What Every Parent Needs to Know
If your child has been identified as needing extra support at school, you’ve likely heard the terms “504 Plan” and “IEP” used — sometimes interchangeably. They’re not the same, and the differences matter enormously for your child’s education and legal protections. This guide breaks down what each plan is, who […]
Resources for Parents in High-Conflict Divorce Situations
A Resource Guide for Illinois ParentsNavigating a high-conflict divorce is one of the most challenging experiences a parent can face. The resources below — books, Illinois-specific legal tools, organizations, and technology — have been selected and verified to support parents, practitioners, and advocates working in this area.BOOKSEddy, Bill. BIFF: Quick […]
When a Parent’s Conduct Can Limit Their Time with a Child: Understanding Parenting Time Restrictions Under the IMDMA
If you are going through a divorce or parenting dispute in Illinois, one of the most pressing questions you may face is this: Can a court restrict how much time the other parent spends with our child — and what does it take to make that happen?Illinois law draws a […]
When the School Offers a 504 Plan: What Parents Should Do
When a child is struggling and the parent raises the question of special education, school personnel sometimes respond with a proposal to “try a 504 Plan first.” In some cases that is the right answer. In others it is not. The choice between a Section 504 Plan and an Individualized […]
504 Plan vs. IEP: What Parents Need to Know About the Legal Difference
For parents whose child has a disability, the question of whether the school should provide a 504 Plan or an Individualized Education Program (IEP) is one of the most consequential — and most often misunderstood — questions in special education law. The two are governed by different federal statutes, administered […]
Understanding the Endrew F. Standard: What “Appropriately Ambitious” Means in a Due Process Hearing
The substantive question in nearly every special education due process hearing is whether the school district has offered the child a free appropriate public education, or FAPE, as that term is defined by 20 U.S.C. § 1401(9) and shaped by the Supreme Court. Since 2017, the controlling articulation of that […]
What Parents Need to Be Successful in a Special Education Due Process Hearing
A special education due process hearing is a formal administrative adjudication under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), 20 U.S.C. § 1415, governed by rules of procedure and evidence and decided by an impartial hearing officer. The decision is enforceable in federal court. Parents who succeed in these proceedings, […]
