| Do you have a child with autism who receives | | | | 4. Make sure that the reading instruction is given |
| special education services and struggles with all | | | | according to the person who developed the |
| areas of academics? Are you concerned that | | | | programs protocols. If the program is not taught |
| your child with dyslexia is not receiving appropriate | | | | correctly or for the recommended amount of |
| reading instruction and is falling further and further | | | | time that child will not learn. |
| behind their grade appropriate peers? This article | | | | 5. If your child has difficulties in the area of |
| will give you 7 things that you can do to ensure | | | | functional skills insist that your child receive |
| that your child is receiving a free appropriate | | | | functional skill training, and make sure goals are |
| public education. | | | | written for your child. |
| 1. Have high expectations for your child. With | | | | 6. Make sure that all of the special education |
| appropriate educational instruction, your child with | | | | services your child needs are listed in their |
| autism or a learning disability, should be able to | | | | individual educational plan (IEP). Many special |
| keep up with their age and grade appropriate | | | | education personnel limit the types and amounts |
| peers. | | | | of special education services that they provide to |
| 2. If your child has dyslexia or a learning disability | | | | children with disabilities, which means that you |
| in the area of reading, make sure that they are | | | | may have to assertively and persistently fight for |
| receiving a scientifically based reading program | | | | your child. |
| which includes explicit direct instruction that is | | | | 7. Make sure that all services listed on your child's |
| systematic, sequential and cumulative. Studies | | | | IEP are actually given to your child. Check in with |
| from the National Institute of Human | | | | your child's teacher and service providers to |
| Development have shown that for children with | | | | ensure that your child is receiving the services. If |
| difficulties learning to read, a multisensory teaching | | | | you are not sure, ask for written proof that your |
| method is the most effective teaching method. | | | | child has received therapies and services that are |
| 3. According to No Child Left Behind, 5 skills must | | | | listed on their IEP. |
| be included in a reading program to bring early | | | | By following these 7 items you will be able to help |
| reading success. These skills are: Phonemic | | | | your child receive a free appropriate public |
| awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and | | | | education! Children who do not receive a free |
| comprehension. Make sure these skills are included | | | | appropriate public education may not be able to |
| in any reading program for your child. | | | | get a job or live a fulfilled life. |