A Parent’s Guide to Special Education – VDOE

This publication was developed to help parents understand their rights and responsibilities, their child’s rights and the school’s responsibilities to meet the special needs of their child. The guide includes a description of the special education process and what is required of you and the school during each step of that process. Important timelines are highlighted in each section.

A Parent’s Guide To Special Education is provided in these formats:

• PDF Document
• Spanish language – PDF Document
• ePUB – for mobile text readers

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Virginia Family Special Education Connection

 

 

The goal of this website is to provide a one-stop-shop for parents, families and caregivers of children with special needs to:

• Learn about and plan your child’s educational program
• Understand your legal rights and responsibilities
• Access local resources including school system contacts and disability services in your community
• Access an abundance of resources, including instructional strategies, assistive technology and behavioral supports to help your child succeed.

The Virginia Department of Education hopes that you find the information you need, whether you are new to special education or looking for the latest news, research, and resources.  Parents and families can make a difference in their child’s education.

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Additional Resources

The providers and resources on the list are from a variety of sources.  The list is being provided as a courtesy, for information only, and the user should understand that no assurances or guarantees regarding the providers on the list are being made by providing this list.  Arlington Public Schools neither endorses, approves nor recommends any specific provider, resource or organization listed below.  This list is not inclusive of all community agencies, services, or organizations that provide the particular service, and the omission of an agency, service, or organization from this list does not imply disapproval.  It is the responsibility of the user of this list to determine whether any of the content is of value to them and whether or not the agency, service, or organization meets their specific needs.

Please be aware that sites are sometimes relocated. If you find a broken link, please contact Kathleen Donovan.

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

Accessibility

• The National Center for Accessibility: www.ncaonline.org

Accessible Instructional Materials

• AIM Virginia: https://aimva.org/

Adoption

• C.A.S.E. (The Center for Adoption Support and Education, Inc.):  https://www.adoptionsupport.org/
• Formed Families Forward: https://formedfamiliesforward.org/

Age of Majority

• So You’re 18: https://soyoure18.com/
• VDOE – Transfer of Rights:
  Transfer of Rights For Students with Disabilities Upon Reaching The Age of Majority In Virginia

Anxiety

• Anxiety and Depression Association of America
• American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
• American Psychological Association: www.apa.org
  • Magination Press: https://www.apa.org/pubs/magination/index.aspx
• Online Course Information:  www.medhomeplus.org
• National Alliance for Mental Illness:  www.nami.org

Arlington Families

• https://www.arlingtonfamilies.com — A site that links parents and caregivers to valuable online resources about what’s happening for families in Arlington, Virginia.  Find a playground, meet other parents in a workshop, learn about school options, discover something fun to do over the weekend, or get connected to practical parenting ideas.

Assistive Technology

• AIM Virginia – AIM Virginia: https://aimva.org/
• Family Information Guide to Assistive Technology and Transition Planning: https://www.ctdinstitute.org/library/2014-10-20/family-information-guide-assistive-technology-and-transition-planning
• Virginia Department of Education: Assistive Technology

Attention Deficit Disorder

• CHADD of Northern Virginia (Attention Deficit Disorder):  https://www.chaddonline.org/
• Graphic Organizers: https://freeology.com/graphicorgs/
• Identifying and Treating Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Resource for School and Home: https://www.ed.gov/rschstat/research/pubs/adhd/adhd-identifying-2006.pdf
• National Resource Center for AD/HD:  https://www.help4adhd.org/
• Online Course Information:  www.medhomeplus.org
• Online Resources & Support for College Students with ADHD (EduMed.org)
• Teaching Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Instructional Strategies and Practices: https://www.ed.gov/rschstat/research/pubs/adhd/adhd-teaching-2006.pdf
• Instructional Strategies
• Helping the Student with ADHD in the Classroom
• American Academy of Pediatrics Evaluation Guidelines
• NICHCY Fact Sheet
• National Association of School Psychologists Fact Sheet
• National Association of School Psychologists Position Statement on ADHD
• Health Resources Emphasizing the Needs of African Americans:  https://blackdoctor.org/category/health-conditions/adhd/

Autism

• Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) Guidelines for Educating Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders:
  https://www.doe.virginia.gov/special_ed/disabilities/autism/technical_asst_documents/autism_guidelines.pdf
• Autism Spectrum Disorders and the Transition to Adulthood:
  https://www.doe.virginia.gov/special_ed/disabilities/autism/technical_asst_documents/autism_transition.pdf
• Autism Society of America: https://www.autism-society.org/
• Autism Society of America, Northern Virginia Chapter (ASANV):  https://www.asanv.org/
• Autism “Video Glossary”:  https://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism/video-glossary
• Commonwealth Autism:  https://www.autismva.org
• Dental Tool Kit: https://www.autismspeaks.org/community/family_services/dental.php  –Autism Speaks recently released a new Dental Tool Kit to help parents promote good, life-long oral health care habits for their kids with autism. The free kit, which includes both a video and a downloadable printed guide, features tips for improving oral hygiene at home, as well as information about how parents and dental professionals can make a visit to the dentist’s office less stressful and more productive.
• Fragile-X Syndrome Research Foundation: https://www.FRAXA.org
• National Alliance for Autism Research: https://www.autismspeaks.org
• OCALI Transitions to Adulthood Guides for Individuals with ASD: https://www.ocali.org/project/transition_to_adulthood_guidelines  
• Virginia Commonwealth University’s Autism Center for Excellence: https://www.vcuautismcenter.org

Behavior

• Center for Effective Collaboration and Practice: https://www.air.org/project/center-effective-collaboration-and-practice-cecp
• Getting Behavior in Shape at Home: https://www.pbis.org/common/cms/files/pbisresources/behaviorshape.doc
• Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports (English and Spanish): https://www.pbis.org
• Tips for Parents: Incorporating Positive Behavior Support (PBS) Into the IEP: https://www.pbis.org/common/cms/files/pbisresources/parentiep.doc

Bullying

• U.S. Department of Education: Bullying
• Virginia Department of Education: Bullying Prevention Strategies & Programs
• Virginia Department of Health: Youth Violence and Bullying Prevention 
• Stopbullying.gov: Bullying and Youth with Disabilities and Special Health Needs
• TTAC Online: type “bullying” in the upper right search box
• I’m Determined: Bully-Free Zone
• PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center: Bullying and Harassment of Students with Disabilities
• Autism Speaks: Combating Bullying
• Horner, R.H., Sugai, G., & Anderson, C.M. (2010). Examining the Evidence Base for School-Wide Positive Behavior Support. Focus on Exceptional Children, 42(8).

Cerebral Palsy

• United Cerebral Palsy Association: https://ucp.org/

Cognitive Delays

• American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: https://aaidd.org/
• Equity, Opportunity and Inclusion for People with Disabilities since 1975: https://www.tash.org
• National Organization of Rare Disorders: https://rarediseases.org/
• The Arc: https://thearc.org/

College Planning

• APS College & Career Corner
• College and Your Mental Health
• College Board: https://www.collegeboard.org
• College Scholarships: Grants for Students with Disabilities – https://www.collegescholarships.org/grants/disabilities.htm
• Council for Exceptional Children: https://www.cec.sped.org/
• Federal Student Aid: https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/types
• Guide to Accelerated Online Degrees: https://www.affordablecollegesonline.org/college-resource-center/accelerated-degrees/
• Study Tips for College Students with Dyslexia/Dysgraphia:  https://www.affordablecollegesonline.org/college-resource-center/dyslexia-dysgraphia/
• The College Guide: https://mycollegeguide.org
• Think College:  https://www.thinkcollege.net/

Counseling

• Virginia Tech Center for Family Services:  https://www.nvc.vt.edu/mft/cfs.html

Deaf Blindness

• National Center on Deaf Blindness:  www.nationaldb.org
• Literacy Children with Combined Vision and Hearing Loss:  www. literacy.nationaldb.org/
• Perkins Webcasts: https://www.perkinselearning.org/watch-and-learn

Developmental Disabilities

Individual Family Support Program (IFSP):
My Life, My Community

Domestic Violence

No Wrong Door: A guide to Arlington’s services for those impacted by intimate partner, dating or domestic violence

Down Syndrome

• Down Syndrome Association of Northern Virginia (DSANV): https://www.dsanv.org/
• National Down Syndrome Society: https://www.ndss.org/
• National Mosaic Down Syndrome Association:  https://www.mosaicdownsyndrome.com

Dyslexia

• Atlantic Seaboard Dyslexia Education Center:  www.asdec.org
• Council for Exceptional Children: Division for Learning Disabilities: www.dldcec.org
• Council for Learning Disabilities (CLD): www.cldinternational.org
• Dyslexia Help:  https://dyslexiahelp.umich.edu
• International Dyslexia Association (IDA): www.interdys.org
• Learning Disabilities Association of America (LDA): www.LDAAmerica.org
• LD Online:  www.ldonline.org
• National Center for Learning Disabilities: www.ncld.org
• Virginia Department of Education
  • https://www.doe.virginia.gov/special_ed/disabilities/learning_disability/dyslexia.shtml 
  • Virginia’s Guidelines for Educating Students with Specific Learning Disabilities (PDF) Also available as Accessible Word Document (Word) – A resource for teachers and administrators as they address the educational needs of students with a Specific Learning Disability (SLD). These guidelines offer an overview of best practices for educating individuals with SLD. Parents of children with SLD may find this document useful as well.
  • Specific Learning Disability Supplementary Guide Dyslexia: Frequently Asked Questions (PDF) –  This document is designed to be a resource for teachers, administrators and parents to address the educational needs of students with dyslexia. It provides information on the resources and services available to students with dyslexia through general education, as well as any student with dyslexia who may qualify to receive services as a student with a Specific Learning Disability (SLD) under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) or under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504).
• The Yale Center for Dyslexia and Creativity:  https://dyslexia.yale.edu

Dysgraphia

• Understanding Dysgraphia: https://dyslexiaida.org/understanding-dysgraphia/
• Dysgraphia: What it is and what it isn’t: https://www.ldinfo.com/dysgraphia.htm

Early Childhood Development

• Online Ages & Stages Questionnaire Screening Tool:  https://www.easterseals.com/mtffc/asq/

Emotional Disabilities

• American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry: https://www.aacap.org
• Center for Effective Collaboration and Practice: https://www.air.org/project/center-effective-collaboration-and-practice-cecp
• Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation: https://bipolarchild.com/resources/online-resources/
• National Alliance for the Mentally Ill: https://www.nami.org

Equity

• Resources to talk with students about race
  • Kids books about racism: New York Times
  • Talking to Kids About Racism: New York Times
  • How Do Families Talk About Racism with Kids – Washington Post 
  • How to talk to your children about protests and racism – CNN

Graphic Organizers

• Houghton Mifflin Education Place: https://www.eduplace.com/graphicorganizer/
• EdHelper Free Graphic Organizers Worksheets: https://edhelper.com/teachers/graphic_organizers.htm
• EnchantedLearning Graphic Organizers: https://www.enchantedlearning.com/graphicorganizers/
• Scholastic Graphic Organizers for Reading Comprehension: https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/lesson-plan/graphic-organizers-reading-comprehension 
• Thinkport Education: https://www.thinkport.org/technology/template.tp 
• Project Write: https://projectwritemsu.wikispaces.com/file/view/graphic+organizers.pdf

Hearing Impairments

• Better Hearing Institute:  https://www.betterhearing.org/
• Center for Hearing Loss in Children at the Boys Town National Research Hospital: https://www.boystownhospital.org/hearingservices/childhoodDeafness/Pages/default.aspx
• Listen Up! and Talk It Up!:  https://www.listen-up.org
• Northern Virginia Resource Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Persons: https://www.NVRC.org — To reach Bonnie O’Leary, Outreach Specialist for Arlington County, call 703.352.9055 voice or NVRCbol@aol.com
• Self-Help for Hard of Hearing People: https://www.shhhaust.org/
• Special Needs Information Networks: https://www.schoolnet.ca
• The Council on Education of the Deaf from Kent State University: https://deafed.net

Inclusive Schools

• Inclusive Schools Resources: https://www.inclusiveschools.org/resources
• KIDS Included Together: https://www.kitonline.org/ntci/training/slideshow/flv7player.html
• NEA Diversity Toolkit: https://www.nea.org/tools/diversity-toolkit.html

Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)

• Virginia Department of Education IEP Page:  https://www.doe.virginia.gov/special_ed/iep_instruct_svcs/iep/index.shtml
• Standards Based IEPs – Virginia Department of Education: https://www.doe.virginia.gov/special_ed/iep_instruct_svcs/stds-based_iep/
• United States Department of Education IEP Information Link:  https://nichcy.org/schoolage/iep/iepcontents

Learning Disabilities

• All Kinds of Minds: Understanding Differences in Learning: https://www.allkindsofminds.org
• Council for Exceptional Children Division for Learning Disabilities: https://www.dldcec.org
• Council for Learning Disabilities (CLD): https://www.cldinternational.org
• International Dyslexia Association (IDA): https://www.interdys.org
• Learning Disabilities Association of America (LDA): www.LDAAmerica.org
• Multiple Intelligences – American Institute for Learning and Human Development: https://www.institute4learning.com/resources/articles/multiple-intelligences/
• National Center for Learning Disabilities: www.ncld.org
• Schwab Learning: https://www.schwabfoundation.org/About-CHSF/Publications/Schwab-Learning.aspx
• Understood for Learning and Attention Issues Parent Toolkit: https://www.understood.org/en 
• Virginia Department of Education’s Guidelines for Educating Students with Specific Learning Disabilities

Legal & Procedural Information

• Federal Special Education Regulations: https://www.ed.gov/legislation/FedRegister/finrule/2006-3/081406a.pdf
• Amicus for Children, Inc.: https://www.amicusforchildren.org
• disAbility Law Center of Virginia: https://dlcv.org/
• The Bazelon Center: https://www.bazelon.org/
• Legal Services of Northern VA: www.lsnv.org
• PEATC (Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center):Collaboration and Support on Special Needs Advocacy in Northern Virgin: https://www.peatc.org
• Virginia’s General Assembly: https://virginiageneralassembly.gov/index.php
• Virginia Special Education Regulations: https://www.doe.virginia.gov/special_ed/regulations/state/
• Virginia Department of Education Link to IDEA 2004 Guidelines: https://www.doe.virginia.gov/special_ed/regulations/federal/index.shtml
• United States Department of Education: www.ed.gov

Math

• LD Online – Math & Dyscalculia: https://www.ldonline.org/indepth/math
• Resource Room: https://www.resourceroom.net
• Sparknotes, Provides study guides to a variety of topics in math: https://www.sparknotes.com/math/

Mental Health

• Arlington County – Get Help Guide: Behavioral Health Resources
• College and Your Mental Health
• National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI):  https://www.nami.org
• National Alliance for Mental Illness – Northern Virginia Chapter:  https://www.nami-northernvirginia.org
• National Institute of Mental Illness (NIMH):  https://www.nimh.nih.gov/index.shtml 

Mitochondrial Disease

• MitoAction – School Advocacy: https://www.mitoaction.org/school-education/

Multiple Intelligence

• American Institute for Learning and Human Development: https://www.institute4learning.com/resources/articles/multiple-intelligences/

Northern Virginia: Special Needs Resources

• Special Needs Kids Information: www.specialneedskidsinfo.com
• Region IV Parent Resource Centers (PRCs)

Phonemic Awareness

• LD Online How Now Brown Cow: Phoneme Awareness Activities for Collaborative Classrooms: https://www.ldonline.org/article/388
• University of Virginia: Phonological Awareness Literacy Screening: https://pals.virginia.edu/

Reading

• Alliance for Excellent Education: https://www.all4ed.org/
• Big Ideas in Beginning Reading: https://reading.uoregon.edu/cia/curricula/
• The Knowledge Loom: https://knowledgeloom.org
• Reading Rockets: https://www.readingrockets.org
• Reading Tips for Parents: https://www.ed.gov/parents/read/resources/readingtips/index.html
• Put Reading First: Helping Your Child Learn to Read: https://lincs.ed.gov/publications/pdf/PRFbrochure.pdf

Recreation

• Arlington County Office of Therapeutic Recreation: https://parks.arlingtonva.us/therapeutic-recreation/
• Best Buddies: https://www.bestbuddies.org/capitalregion/
  • Wakefield High School: https://wakefield.apsva.us/clubs/best-buddies/
  • Washington-Lee High School: https://washingtonlee.apsva.us/activities-and-athletic-office/clubs-and-societies/club-list/
  • Yorktown High School: https://yhs.apsva.us/activities/social-and-service-groups/best-buddies/

 Respite

• The ARC of Northern VA: www.thearcofnova.org
• Northern Virginia Family Services (NVFS):  https://www.nvfs.org/
• Caring Communities: https://www.caringcommunities.org
• Jill’s House:  https://jillshouse.org/
• Response to Intervention: https://www.doe.virginia.gov/support/virginia_tiered_system_supports/response_intervention/index.shtml

Sibling Support

• Sibling Support Project:  www.siblingsupport.org

Social Skills

• “Do’s & Don’ts” for Fostering Social Competence: https://www.ricklavoie.com/dosart.html
• Home (at yours and others!) for the Holidays: https://www.ricklavoie.com/homeholidayart.html
• Self-Esteem: The Cause and Effect of Success for the Child with Learning Differences: https://www.ricklavoie.com/selfesteemart.html
• Social Competence and the Child with Learning Disabilities: https://www.ricklavoie.com/competart.html
• Social Tips for Giving and Receiving Gifts: https://www.ricklavoie.com/holidaysart.html
• Center for Parent Information & Resources: https://www.parentcenterhub.org/
• Psychology Self-Help Resources on the Internet: https://www.psychwww.com/resource/selfhelp.htm
• Stuttering from the National Stuttering Association: www.WeStutter.org

Special Education Regulations

• IDEA – Individuals with Disabilities Education Act – Federal Statute & Regulations: https://sites.ed.gov/idea/statuteregulations/
• Virginia Special Education Regulations: https://www.doe.virginia.gov/special_ed/regulations/state/index.shtml
• Virginia Department of Education Link to Federal Regulations & Guidelines: https://www.doe.virginia.gov/special_ed/regulations/federal/index.shtml
• Virginia Procedural Safeguards: Your Family’s Special Education Rights
  • Spanish
  • Arabic
  • Chinese
  • Urdu
  • Farsi
  • Korean
  • Vietnamese

Sports and Recreation

• Disabled Sports USA:  https://www.disabledsportsusa.org/
• National Sports Center for the Disabled: https://nscd.org/
• NOVA Cool Cats: Ice Hockey for the Developmentally Disabled: https://leagueathletics.com/Default.asp?org=NOVACOOLCATS.ORG
• American Special Hockey: https://www.specialhockey.org/
  • Washington Ice Dogs: https://americanspecialhockey.org/team/washington-ice-dogs
• Special Olympics Northern Virginia: https://www.novasova.org/
• TOPSoccer – Arlington:  https://www.arlingtonsoccer.com/otherasaprograms/topsoccer-2/

Study Skills & Test Taking

• Graphic Organizers:  https://freeology.com/graphicorgs/index.php
• VirginiaTech: https://ucc.vt.edu/academic_support/study_skills_information.html

Substance Abuse

• Second Chance: https://www.secondchancearlington.org/

Arlington’s Second Chance is a free substance use prevention and early intervention program for middle and high school students whose parents/guardians live in Arlington.  It is especially designed to help students in early stages of drug or alcohol use who get caught for the first time at school or by the police in possession of or under the influence of alcohol or marijuana.   Parents can also refer their teen.

• For questions about the program, eligibility and how to participate, email:​ secondchance@nvfs.org​​
• For general information, email:  information@secondchancearlington.org

Suicide Prevention:

• APS Resource Page: In Crisis/Need Help Now?
  • Worried your child may attempt suicide/self-harm? Not sure what to do? Call:
    Crisis Link Regional Hot Line: 703-527-4077
    National Hope Line: 1-800-SUICIDE
    LGBTQ Lifeline: 1-866-488-7386
    National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK
    Text: CONNECT to 85511
• New Suicide Prevention Tips and Resources for Teens and Parents in English
• PREVENCIÓN DEL SUICIDIO: Consejos y recursos para adolescentes y padres en Espanol

Summer Opportunities

• National Information Center for Children and Youths with Disabilities: https://www.nichcy.org/
• American Camping Assn. site that lists special needs camps per state: https://www.acacamps.org/

Support Groups in Arlington

• Arlington ADHD Support Group and Listserv: https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/ArlingtonADHD/info
• Arlington Autism Dads Group:  Contact Dan Marx at autismdadsgroup@gmail.com or dwmarx@gmail.com
• Arlington Autism Group (AAG) and Listserv:  Contact Donna Budway at donnabudway@aol.com
• Asperger Syndrome Information and Support (ASIS) Group and Listserv:  https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/ArlingtonASIS/info
• More Than Dyslexics:  Support group for students with dyslexia ages 11-18: https://www.morethandyslexics.com
• Mothers of North Arlington (MONA) – Special Moms Support Group and Listserv:  https://www.monamoms.org/
• National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) – Arlington Support Group and Listserv:  https://www.nami-northernvirginia.org or contact Michelle Best at mczero@yahoo.com
• Arlington Reading Yahoo Group: https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/ArlingtonReading/info

Technology

• Center for Applied Special Technology: https://www.Cast.org
• Center on Technology and Disability (CTD): https://www.ctdinstitute.org/
• National Center to Improve Practice in Special Education Through Technology, Media, and Materials: https://www2.edc.org/NCIP/

Transition (Post High School Opportunities)

• Family Information Guide to Assistive Technology and Transition:  https://www.ctdinstitute.org/library/2014-10-20/family-information-guide-assistive-technology-and-transition-planning
• OCALI Transitions to Adulthood Guides for Individuals with ASD: https://www.ocali.org/project/transition_to_adulthood_guidelines
• O-NET Online: https://online.onetcenter.org/
• Online Resources & Support for College Students with ADHD (EduMed.org)
• STRIVE Program at NOVA Annandale – a college program for individuals with LD or IEPs that also has a residential component: https://www.striveincld.org/faq.html
• Workforce Trends and Occupational Outlook for No. VA 2010-2020:  https://cra.gmu.edu/pdfs/studies_reports_presentations/Workforce_Trends_and_Occupational_Forecasts_in_Northern_Virginia.pdf
• Youth Pathways to Postsecondary and Employment: https://pathways.grads360.org/?utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_name=&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term=#communities/pre-employment-cop

Twice Exceptional

• Educational Resources Information Center: www.hoagiesgifted.org
• LD Online: www.ldonline.org
• National Association for Gifted Learners: www.nagc.org
• NEA: The Twice Exceptional Dilemma: https://www.nea.org/assets/docs/twiceexceptional.pdf
• Uniquely Gifted: www.uniquelygifted.org
• Virginia Association for the Gifted: www.vagifted.org

Writing

• Graphic Organizers: https://freeology.com/graphicorgs/index.php
• LD online: Writing: https://www.ldonline.org/ld_indepth/writing/writing.html

U.S. Department of Education

• United States Department of Education – Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services: https://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/index.html
• Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA): https://www.ed.gov/esea
• IDEA 2004 News & Resources: Resources for Parents of Children with Special Needs: https://www.ed.gov/parents/needs/speced/edpicks.jhtml?src=ln
• Homework Help! Tips & Resources for Parents: https://www.ed.gov/parents/academic/help/partnership-tips.html

Virginia Department of Education

The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) has posted several new guidance documents:

• Supporting the Identification and Achievement of the Twice-Exceptional Student:
  https://www.doe.virginia.gov/instruction/gifted_ed/twice_exceptional.pdf
• Guidelines for Educating Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders:
  https://www.doe.virginia.gov/special_ed/disabilities/autism/technical_asst_documents/autism_guidelines.pdf
• Autism Spectrum Disorders and the Transition to Adulthood: https://www.doe.virginia.gov/special_ed/disabilities/autism/technical_asst_documents/autism_transition.pdf
• Regulations Governing Special Education Programs for Children in Virginia: https://www.doe.virginia.gov/special_ed/regulations/state/regs_speced_disability_va.pdf

Additional information for Parents: https://www.doe.virginia.gov/special_ed/parents/index.shtml  — includes:

• Every Child Can Succeed… A Parent’s Guide to Virginia’s Standards of Learning Program (PDF Format)
• Questions Concerning Schools Receiving “Accreditation Denied” Status , (PDF Version)
• Standards of Learning for Virginia Public Schools
• Virginia Standards of Learning Resources
• Virginia Standards of Learning Testing Calendar (PDF format)
• Standards of Quality for Public Schools
• The Standards of Accreditation
• Alternate Assessment for Certain Students with Disabilities
• Glossary of Terms Related to Public Education in Virginia
• No Child Left Behind: A Parents Guide
• A Parent’s Guide to Special Education
• When My Child Needs Additional Help, What Do I Need To Know?
• ~ and much more!

Virginia: Other State Resources

•  Virginia Board for People with Disabilities: www.vaboard.org

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Need more information?  You can contact the Parent Resource Center at 703.228.2739 or emma.parralsanchez@apsva.us.  We look forward to talking with you.