Middletown Township Special Education Lawyer

If you have a school-age child with a disability in Middletown Township in Monmouth County you can rely on the Susan Clark Law Group LLC when you need a New Jersey special education lawyer in your corner. Our attorneys understand the unique challenges that families with special needs face because of our long track record — we have more than 100 years of combined litigation experience — and because we’ve been in your shoes. We’ve advocated for our own children with disabilities.

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) grants children with disabilities and their families specific educational rights, including a free appropriate public education (FAPE) and specialized instruction in the least restrictive environment possible. The National Center for Education Statistics notes that about 13 percent of students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade who were enrolled in public schools had a disability.

State and federal law also gives your child certain procedural protections. It says that you have the right to make decisions regarding your child’s education and well-being.

Contact the New Jersey special education attorneys at the Susan Clark Law Group LLC now.

When Do You Need a Special Education Attorney?

Whether you’re developing your child’s educational goals and accommodations, disputing disciplinary decisions, or simply trying to advocate for the services that your child needs, you can feel overwhelmed or at an impasse when dealing with a school district and its interpretation of what’s suitable for your child.

We at the Susan Clark Law Group LLC believe that no one knows your child or your family better than you do, and something considered “adequate” under the law might not be what’s in your child’s best interests. We’re proud to provide legal representation and advice relevant to your family’s needs using a firm but compassionate approach.

How We Help Families in Middletown Township

The Middletown Township special education lawyers at the Susan Clark Law Group LLC want you and your child to have the reassurance and resources you need to succeed. Our attorneys provide effective representation while being sensitive to your child’s disabilities and how you’ve advocated on his or her behalf.

Here are some ways in which we’re glad to serve you:

• Individualized Education Program (IEP) – An IEP specifies the accommodations and services that the school will provide each school year to your child so she or he can reach his or her full classroom potential. But this process can become complicated if you disagree with the program’s evaluation or determination of eligibility, its goals and objectives for your child, or its accommodations and services. We can review the IEP team’s findings and advocate for a better solution where necessary.
• 504 Plans – A 504 Plan is similar to the IEP. It can provide accommodations to students with disabilities, such as modified textbooks, technology aids, extra time to take tests, physical or behavioral therapy, or physical modifications to a desk or a classroom. We can tailor this plan to your child’s particular needs.
• Out-of-District Placement – If you can show that your child’s current school doesn’t meet your child’s needs, you can arrange for your child to attend a charter or private school or a school in another district. We can help you evaluate these other options and plan how to make this change.
• Mediation – State and federal law grants parents the right to disagree with school district decisions regarding their children’s education or well-being, especially if the district refuses to provide particular services or a child is denied them. We can represent you at a state mediation session and ensure that your voice is heard.
• Due Process Hearings – If mediation is unsuccessful, a due process hearing is another option for parents who disagree with a school district’s position on their child’s special education services, placement, or classification. We can present evidence and legal arguments that support your child’s position before an administrative law judge.
• School Suspensions – Even though a suspension is a short-term disciplinary action, it can feel devastating emotionally for a child with a disability. Such discipline also may be unnecessary if your child’s disability figured into the behavior or situation in question. We can gather evidence and witnesses, represent your child at a hearing, and advise you on emotional, behavioral or other support.
• School Expulsion – An expulsion is a serious disciplinary action because it removes your child from a public school district. It can have far-reaching adverse effects on your child. The law guarantees students with disabilities who face expulsion the right to a fair hearing. We can shepherd your child through this process, present his or her version of the events, and appeal any disciplinary decision not in your child’s favor.
• Special Needs Trusts – A Special Needs Trust (SNT) protects your child financially as he or she grows older by establishing assets used solely for the benefit of an individual with a disability. These trusts can pay for education, medical care, living expenses, and other things. Their assets are excluded from Medicaid rules. We can help you establish a SNT for your child to be funded until your child reaches age 65.
• Guardianship – Guardianships allow parents of children older than 18 who have a developmental disability, mental illness, or other diminished capacity to continue to make important decisions regarding their child’s education and health care. Guardianships also enable parents or other trusted representatives to access adult children’s information from hospitals, government agencies, and banks. We can answer your questions about guardianship and guide you or someone your family trusts through the application process.

Talk to an Experienced Middletown Township Special Education Attorney Now

Whether your child has physical disabilities, developmental disabilities, sensory impairment, or behavioral or emotional disabilities, we want your child to have the education, assistance, and accommodations they deserve and are entitled to receive under the law. The Middletown Township special education lawyers at Susan Clark Law Group LLC are prepared to fight tirelessly for you and your family, whether you have concerns about school placement or discipline, want particular services in a traditional public school classroom, or are thinking about planning for your child’s financial future.

Please contact us today. Let us answer your questions so you can empower yourself and build a foundation for your child’s success.