The Law Office of Lillian E. Wong
A Massachusetts Special Education Attorney

Special Education rights begin at birth.  From birth until age three, children who qualify for special education services under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) receive supports and services through Early Intervention.  In Massachusetts, the agency responsible for implementing Early Intervention services is the Massachusetts Department of Health and Human Services. 

Just as the IEP main document for programming the services to be given a child with disabilities under Part B of the IDEA, the principal document for identifying services for an infant or toddler under Part C is the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP).

The IFSP must provide the child with a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE).  If you believe Early Intervention is denying your child a Free Appropriate Public Education, you have the right to request a Due Process Hearing and have an impartial hearing officer decide if your child is receiving FAPE through Early Intervention.  IDEA also provides parents of children in Early Intervention other rights, including the right of Parental Participation.

If you need help advocating for your child's rights, contact Boston area attorney Lillian E. Wong today.

Attorney Wong has recently been featured on ADDitude magazine, a nationally-recognized publication serving families and adults living with attention deficit disorder by publishing expert information about ADHD diagnosis & treatment, school accommodations, parenting ADD kids, getting organized with ADD, and much more.

Read Attorney Wong's article here.

If you need help advocating for your ADD/ADHD child's educational rights, contact Boston area attorney Lillian E. Wong today.

The Reality
Most special education disputes are not resolved in a hearing or court decision.  Instead, the majority of special education disputes are resolved informally at IEP meetings or through settlement agreements.  This outcome avoids the time, cost, and stress of litigation, and is usually the best solution for parents and school systems. 

The Result
Unfortunately, this reality does not provide a public record of the dispute and  its outcome.  Attorney-Client privilege, settlement agreement confidentiality clauses, and the Federal Educational Privacy Rights Act (FERPA) all prevent parties from discussing the specifics of most special education disputes and their ultimate resolution.  My practice is no different than the national trend.  The majority of my cases are resolved before a hearing request is filed, and of those cases that do require a hearing request, most are settled. 

Celebrating the "Quiet Victories"
During the past couple of months in addition to my due process cases, I have witnessed many "Quiet Victories."  A middle-school boy who hated school is now thriving in a more therapeutic and appropriate placement.  A preschool child is now receiving the full-day program he needs.  A young girl is undergoing a much needed extended 45-day  evaluation.  Because the ultimate goal of this Law Office is to help children obtain a Free Appropriate Public Education, these quiet victories are victories all the same.

If you are looking for a special education advocate in Massachusetts, contact Boston area lawyer Lillian E. Wong today.

Reader Question:
Can I still go to college if I have an IEP Diploma?

I'm just wondering what benefits can you get having that kind of diploma what can you do with it.

My Response:
I'm not sure what you mean by an IEP diploma. IEP means individualized education program. Some students on IEPs receive "regular" diplomas, while other students graduate under a modified program.

I would recommend that you take a look at your IEP. On one of the last pages there should be a section about "transition plans." Transition plans are the IEP teams goals for you after high school. Your school is legally required to help you figure out what you want to do after high school and help you get there. If you want to go to college, make sure that the IEP team knows that. You have the right to participate in IEP team meetings and give your input. If you are too intimidated to participate, your parents can represent your point of view to the IEP team.

If you need a special education advocate in Massachusetts, contact Boston area lawyer Lillian E. Wong today.