New York Malpractice & Injury Lawyer Blog
When parents welcome a child into the world, they do so with visions of happy children, respectful teenagers and successful adults. But what happens when a child is injured at birth? Finding out that your child has special needs can initially dash the hopes that you had. The good news is that one you are able to absorb the fact that your child may not behave or learn typically, they will be successful in their own right.
Educating your special needs child may not be as simple as enrolling them in public school and putting them on the bus. You have a variety of options for your child, and one of these options may be better suited to your little one’s needs than another. Knowing these options can help you determine what is right for your child.
Self-Contained
In a self-contained school, your child is in a classroom with children of special needs. Your little one will receive instruction from intervention specialists. This may be right for your child, but consider that he or she will have very little chance to interact with typically-abled children.
Mixed
You can also find special-education schools that welcome children without disabilities. All children are mixed in one classroom, while your child still gets specialized attention.
Traditional
In a traditional school, your child is mainstreamed into a typical classroom but will receive special services. The programs may be modified to meet your child’s needs. These special services may include speech, occupational or physical therapy.
Knowing what is right for your child can be difficult without arming yourself with knowledge. Visit several different schools that offer different programming. Ask about the curriculum and instruction your child will be exposed to, and discuss how your child’s IEP goals will be met. Look at class size and the student-to-teacher ratio. When you take the time to do these things, you can be sure that you have chosen the best possible educational option for your child at this time.
If you believe that your child was injured at birth, please call our office. A member of our team will review the details of your case at no cost to you and advise you of your options. Browse our website for more information about how we can assist you and your family.