Letter from NCLD (LDNews May 2006)

Dear NCLD Supporters and Constituents,

Picture yourself in your son or daughter's IEP meeting as the team leader says, "I'm sorry, but the general education teacher cannot be with us today." How would you handle this situation? What would you say? And how would you expect team members to reply?

NCLD calls this and other difficult comments that arise in IEP meetings "conversation stoppers." These types of comments create barriers that can prevent the IEP team from working cooperatively and effectively.

With input from parents across the country, NCLD has developed an IDEA toolkit that will help parents get organized, understand the IEP process and know their rights under the law. NCLD realizes that IEP meetings can be difficult, but also understands that they are imperative for ensuring children with learning disabilities receive the necessary support and services they need to be successful. For those reasons, we have devoted a section of the toolkit to helping prepare parents to respond to difficult situations in a forceful but respectful way and to help ensure that planning for their child is effective.

This is just one of the resources located in our new Parent Center, which was created to empower parents of children with learning disabilities with the information and tools they need to become informed and effective advocates for their children, both at home and at school. We hope that these new resources will better prepare you to navigate the special education system and ensure your child gets the services and supports he or she needs and deserves.

And we hope you enjoy this month's edition of LD News, which offers some of the latest research, news and learning disability resources.

Warm regards,

James H. Wendorf
Executive Director
National Center for Learning Disabilities, Inc. 

The National Center for Learning Disabilities is listed by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. All gifts made to NCLD are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. I hope that you consider making a contribution to NCLD today and thank you in advance for your generosity. NCLD greatly appreciates your support of our work!