Special Education

In This Section

When children are struggling in school or have identified disabilities, parents face additional challenges to ensure that their children receive the best possible education to meet their needs. Often this means trying to navigate the complicated world of special education. School psychologists have the necessary training and expertise to assist parents and teachers in their efforts to maximize student outcomes.

Intelligent Lives Film Partnership

NASP is partnering with award-winning director Dan Habib on his Intelligent Lives film, a catalyst to transform the label of intellectual disability from a life sentence of isolation into a life of possibility. … more
Questions Parents and Educators Can Ask to Start Conversations About Using Terms Like Learning Disabilities, Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, and Dysgraphia

Parents and educators may have different opinions about specific terms like dyslexia or more general terms like learning disabilities. Understanding these terms and agreeing on which to use can help prevent confusion and conflict. It can also lead to a shared understanding of a child's needs. … more
Special Education: A Basic Guide for Parents

This handout provides answers to some frequently asked questions in order to help parents understand the basic procedures of the special education system. … more
Section 504: A Guide for Parents & Educators

Students with disabilities may be eligible for special education, accommodations, and related services under Section 504. … more
Academic Accommodations for Students With Disabilities

Accommodations are a variety of techniques and supports that are intended to provide a student with disabilities full access to the general curriculum. … more
Rescuing Students from the Slow Learner Trap

Classroom strategies to tap into the strengths of slow learners and help them succeed in school. … more
Helping Students with ADHD in the Classroom: Information for Teachers

Classroom interventions and modifications must be tailored to the individual student with ADHD. … more
IEP Team Meetings: A Guide to Participation for Parents

Parents of children with disabilities need to be familiar with regulations and procedures for developing an IEP to fully participate in IEP development and long-term planning. … more
IEP Team Process: Parent Videos

The Exceptional Children's Assistance Center produced a 5-part parent video series explaining the various aspects of the IEP Team process. … more
IEP Team Process: Parent Video (Vietnamese)

NASP's Asian American Subcommittee of the Multicultural Affairs Committee translated and dubbed this video on the IEP team process into Vietnamese. … more
Discipline: Effective School Practices

Individual and school-wide practices that help students develop self-discipline and allow schools to prevent the re-occurrence of behavior problems. … more
Universal Design for Learning

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a framework for learning that includes all students. It is a set of instruction principles that call for flexibility in student expression, representation and engagement. … more
Response to Intervention (RTI): A Primer for Parents

A major concern for parents as well as teachers is how to help children who experience difficulty learning in school. … more
Learning Disabilities Identification: A Primer for Parents

A learning disability can pose significant challenges and be the source of considerable stress for schoolchildren and their parents. … more
SLD Eligibility - Policy and Practice Reccomendations

This page highlights school-level practices and policy considerations for states and school districts to encourage selective use of data from cognitive assessments in the evaluation for special education due to a suspected specific learning disability. … more