Articles written by Tami Joia

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About me - Tami Joia

I am the founder of IDEAS: Individual Development to Education, Attitudes, and Solutions Corp. I am also the President and Advocate.

We provide assistance in securing the appropriate supports/services for children with disabilities. Additionally, we provide

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Education > Special Education The dangers of labeling a child: 2 of 42

If your child has a disability such as Autism, ADHD, Bipolar, etc, and he/she is not diagnosed, the definite danger is you will not receive the necessary services and/or supports in the public school system or anywhere else in the state. Unfortunately, in the United States in order to receive services you have to have a labe...
Education > Special Education Getting your child an Individualized Education Plan (IEP): 1 of 8

First, is there a problem? As a parent we usually have a gut feeling that something is not right when it comes to our kids. But, just because you think there is something wrong don't think for one hot second that the school district thinks the same. That spells money to them, so what do you do to prove or rule-out the proble...
Education > Special Education What is an individualized education plan (IEP)?: 2 of 14

First, you must understand that an IEP is the end result of a Determination of Eligibility for Special Education. The development of an IEP can only take place after the school completes their evaluation(s) as requested by the parent or various others who work with or provide services to the child, i.e. doctors, therapists, ...
Education > Special Education Finding educational support for special needs children: 3 of 9

Where are the Services and/or Supports? They are everywhere. I know that's hard to believe, but it's true. The problem is it is like looking for a needle in a haystack. I will show you several different steps to securing the appropriate services for your child with a disability and for the entire family. First, there are sta...
Education > Special Education What is the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)?: 4 of 8

IDEA is The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a law ensuring services to children with disabilities throughout the nation. IDEA governs how states and public agencies provide early intervention, special education and related services to more than 6.5 million eligible infants, toddlers, children and youth ...
Education > Special Education When public schools don't comply with the Individual Disability Education Act (IDEA): 2 of 3

When public schools don't comply with IDEA, nothing happens unless the violations are reported. Parents must realize that unless a complaint is filed through the Department of Education, no one will ever know what is going on. First let's take the local school district. The parent files a complaint or hearing request for kno...
Education > Special Education Mainstreaming special needs students: Understanding the debate: 33 of 43

Special education was not designed for a child to stay there until they graduate from high school. The intent of the regulations is provide tools and strategies that would allow the student to make progress and eventually be mainstreamed into the general population. Additionally, to begin to access the general curriculum wit...
Education > Special Education Do full inclusion classrooms benefit everyone?: 5 of 6

Yes, it does. How you ask, because accommodations for children on 504 plans or on IEP's are usually things that can be done for the entire class. For instance, because some children are diagnosed with ADD, they may need the teacher to write the instructions in 1,2,3 step directions. Now, if a teacher has 25-30 students, comm...
Education > Special Education What is the Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act?: 5 of 5

504 is a discrimination law, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 protects the rights of individuals with disabilities in programs and activities that receive federal funds. Section 504 provides that: No otherwise qualified individual with a disability in the United States . . . shall, solely by reason of her or his...