Legal Advocacy In Special Education
As a parent, you know and understand your child better than any agency or professional. However, if your son or daughter has special needs, decisions about their education are often made based on faulty evaluations and without adequate parental input or over your objections.
The Law Offices of Shelley L. Stangler, P.C., provides experienced counsel and assertive legal representation in the complex field of special education. As a dedicated lawyer, Ms. Stangler advocates for children and their families in getting the services and support they are entitled to under federal and New Jersey laws. She has a sophisticated understanding of the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process, rights and remedies under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the Rehabilitation Act (Section 504), and mandated accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Based in Springfield, New Jersey, attorney Shelley Stangler provides special education advocacy in Union County, surrounding counties of North Jersey and statewide. She also handles general education law, including disciplinary actions against children receiving special education services. Arrange a consultation today. There is a consultation fee and most education cases do involve an hourly fee and monetary retainer.
Standing Up For Your Child’s Needs And Rights
When an IEP is based on an inaccurate evaluation, students can be saddled with an inappropriate and harmful “label,” receive the wrong help or be denied needed services. The Law Offices of Shelley L. Stangler can intervene at any stage, from the Individualized Education Plan stage to filing for due process hearings before the administrative court and in district court. Most cases fall within one of the following concerns:
Evaluation — Is your child eligible to be evaluated? Is the teacher or evaluator qualified? Is a neurologist, psychologist or other specialist involved in testing or review? Special education advocacy in this initial stage can be the most beneficial and least confrontational.
Classification — The specific disorder or learning disability will dictate what services are provided and by whom. Ms. Stangler is knowledgeable regarding Asperger’s syndrome and autism, cerebral palsy, attention deficit disorder/hyperactivity disorder (ADD and ADHD), auditory processing disorder, emotional and behavioral disorders, pervasive development disorder (PDD), and other conditions that affect a child’s learning capacity and the IEP. She can persuasively contest an improper classification.
Placement — Even with the proper classification, the “how” and “where” are critical to your child’s comfort, academic success and growth. Will your child be mainstreamed and if so, with what support? Will he or she be placed in a more restrictive self-contained class which may or may not be appropriate? Will administrators fail to pay for an out-of-district placement even if the school program fails to meet the needs of your child?
Services — Our special education advocacy often comes down to lobbying for additional services, including speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, psychological counseling, one-on-one classroom aides, individualized curriculum and other help or accommodations.
Legal Remedies For Special Education Conflicts
Under the federal IDEA law, schools are required to meet the “unique needs” of your child in the least restrictive environment. The law mandates formal due process for parents who disagree with the IEP conclusions or how their child is served. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 also prohibits schools from discriminating in education services.
Armed with these statutes and her wide experience in civil rights litigation and civil tort litigation, Shelley Stangler has a proven record of special education advocacy in mediation, due process hearings, and state and federal courts.
Contact Us For Special Education Legal Counsel
Arrange a consultation today by e-mailing us or calling our Springfield office at 877-267-9907. Education matters are subject to a consultation fee and monetary retainer based on an hourly rate. We have a Spanish speaking assistant as well.
