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Special Education

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Horizons to Hope provides resources for informational purposes only and does not endorse or recommend any listed provider or service. Users are encouraged to conduct their own research and due diligence before engaging with any resources referenced on this site.  Horizons to Hope strives to provide accurate and reliable information; however, we cannot guarantee the completeness or validity of external content. We assume no responsibility for errors, omissions, or the services offered by linked providers.

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FAPE (Free Appropriate Public Education)

Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), every child with a disability is entitled to special education and related services that are:

Free
Provided at no cost to parents (funded by public schools).

Appropriate
Tailored to the child’s unique needs and reasonably designed to help the child make progress.

Public
Delivered by the public school system, even if services are provided by outside providers under contract.

Education
Must include access to the general curriculum and preparation for further education, employment, and independent living.

Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)

IDEA requires schools to start with the least restrictive setting and only move to more restrictive environments if the student’s needs cannot be met there, even with supports. All placements must ensure students receive FAPE.

Types of Special Education Classrooms and Placements

1. General Education Classroom (Full Inclusion)
• Students spend the entire day in the regular classroom with nondisabled peers.
• Supports include accommodations, modifications, and sometimes a co-teacher (general ed + special ed teacher).

2. General Education Classroom with Push-In Support
• The student remains in the general classroom.
• A special education teacher or aide provides additional support inside the classroom.

3. Pull-Out Services / Resource Room
• Student spends part of the day in the general classroom and part of the day in a small group setting (“resource room”) for specialized instruction (e.g., math, reading).

4. Part-Time Special Education Classroom
• Time is split between a special education classroom and a general education classroom, depending on the subject or need.

5. Full-Time Special Education Classroom (Self-Contained)
• Students spend most or all of the day in a classroom exclusively with other students with disabilities.
• Led by a special education teacher and may be inside a general education school.

6. Special Day School / Separate School
• Students attend a separate school specifically designed for students with disabilities.
• Includes specialized staff and intensive instruction.

7. Residential Program
• Students live at the school or facility full-time (24 hours a day).
• Includes academics, therapy, medical services, and life skills training.

8. Homebound or Hospital Instruction (Most Restrictive)
• Instruction is provided at home or in the hospital for students with medical or severely disabling conditions.

Early Intervention

Resources:

Bucks County Early Intervention (Birth to 3)
Public early intervention program.
URL: https://www.buckscounty.gov/950/Early-Intervention-Birth-to-3

Bucks County Intermediate Unit (Bucks IU)
Regional education agency offering services for children with developmental needs.
URL: https://www.bucksiu.org/

Bucks IU – Preschool Early Intervention (ages 3–5)
Services for preschool aged children with developmental delays.
URL: https://www.bucksiu.org/child-student-services/preschool-early-intervention

Bucks IU – Head Start / Early Head Start
Federal Head Start programs serving eligible children and families in Bucks County.
URL: https://www.bucksiu.org/child-student-services/head-start-and-early-head-start

Easterseals of Southeastern Pennsylvania – Bucks Division
Early intervention, therapies, and family supports.
URL: https://sepa.easterseals.com/

Easterseals – Locations and Programs
Directory of Easterseals programs in Southeastern Pennsylvania.
URL: https://sepa.easterseals.com/about-us/locations-programs

BARC Developmental Services (Holicong, PA)
Nonprofit serving children and adults with developmental disabilities.
URL: https://www.barcprograms.org/

BARC Early Intervention Services
Supports children under age 5 with developmental delays.
URL: https://www.barcprograms.org/early-intervention-services/

KenCrest Early Intervention
Provides early intervention and support services.
URL: https://www.kencrest.org/community-support-programs/early-intervention/

SPIN, Inc.
Developmental disability and autism services.
URL: https://spininc.org/

A Parent’s Guide to Seeking Special Education Support

1. Identify Concerns
• Parent or teacher notices the child struggling academically, socially, behaviorally, or developmentally.
• Keep notes, schoolwork, report cards, and any relevant medical or therapy evaluations.

2. Submit a Written Request for Evaluation
• Parent sends a formal written request to the school district or principal asking for a special education evaluation (also called a “child find” request).
• This triggers the school’s obligation to respond within a set time (varies by state — often 10 to 15 school days).

3. School Review and Consent
• The school reviews existing information.
• Parents receive prior written notice and a consent form to evaluate.
• Parents must sign consent before testing begins.

4. Evaluation
• A multidisciplinary team assesses the child in suspected areas of disability (academics, speech, behavior, occupational therapy, etc.).
• Must be completed within 60 days (federal timeline) or according to state rules.

From Evaluation to IEP: Understanding the Special Education Process

1. Cognitive / Intellectual Assessments
Measure IQ, problem solving, reasoning, and memory.
Used to identify intellectual disabilities or learning patterns.
Common Tools:

  • WISC-V (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children)

  • Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scales

  • KABC-II (Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children)

2. Achievement Tests
Measure academic skills in reading, math, and writing.
Compare performance to grade or age expectations.
Common Tools:

  • WIAT-4 (Wechsler Individual Achievement Test)

  • Woodcock-Johnson IV Tests of Achievement

  • KTEA-3 (Kaufman Test of Educational Achievement)

3. Adaptive Behavior Scales
Assess daily living skills, communication, self-care, and social functioning.
Used especially for autism and intellectual disabilities.
Common Tools:

  • Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales (Vineland-3)

  • ABAS-3 (Adaptive Behavior Assessment System)

4. Behavioral & Social-Emotional Assessments
Examine emotional regulation, mental health, and behavior.
Often use parent/teacher questionnaires.
Common Tools:

  • BASC-3 (Behavior Assessment System for Children)

  • Conners 4 (often used for ADHD)

  • ASEBA (Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment)

5. Speech & Language Evaluations
Assess articulation, fluency, expressive and receptive language.
Common Tools:

  • CELF-5 (Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals)

  • PPVT-5 (Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test)

  • GFTA-3 (Goldman-Fristoe Test of Articulation)

6. Occupational & Physical Therapy Assessments
Evaluate fine motor skills, sensory processing, handwriting, coordination.
Common Tools:

  • Beery VMI (Visual-Motor Integration)

  • BOT-2 (Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency)

  • Sensory Profile

7. Autism-Specific Tools
Assess autism traits through structured interaction and observation.
Common Tools:

  • ADOS-2 (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule)

  • CARS-2 (Childhood Autism Rating Scale)

  • GARS-3 (Gilliam Autism Rating Scale)

8. Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA)
Evaluates causes of challenging behaviors to create Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs).
Uses observation, data collection, and interviews.

9. Medical, Developmental, & Other Data
Includes health history, hearing/vision screenings, developmental profiles, and outside evaluations (psychological, medical, therapy reports).

Eligibility Meeting

• Evaluation results are reviewed with the family.
• The team (including parents) determines if the child meets eligibility criteria under IDEA.
• The child must both (1) have a qualifying disability and (2) need special education services to access the curriculum.

Develop an IEP (Individualized Education Program)

If eligible, the school holds an IEP meeting. The IEP must include:
• Current performance levels
• Annual goals
• Services and supports (e.g., speech, counseling, accommodations)
• Placement in the least restrictive environment appropriate for the child

Parent Review and Consent

• Parents review the IEP and must provide consent before services start.
• They may request revisions before signing.

Implementation of Services

• Services begin as outlined in the IEP.
• Teachers and staff must follow the plan.

Progress Monitoring

• Schools provide regular progress updates, often aligned with report cards.
• Parents can request data on goals at any time.

Annual Review and Reevaluation

• IEPs are reviewed at least once per year.
• Reevaluation occurs every 3 years, or sooner if requested by the parent or teacher.

Parent Rights / Procedural Safeguards:
Parents may request mediation, file complaints, or pursue due process if they disagree with school decisions.

Special Education Plans

1. IEP (Individualized Education Program)

Law: IDEA – Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
Purpose: Provides special education and related services.

Eligibility Requirements (Must meet both):

  1. The child has one or more of these 13 disability categories under IDEA:
    • Specific Learning Disability (e.g., dyslexia, dyscalculia)
    • Speech or Language Impairment
    • Autism Spectrum Disorder
    • Intellectual Disability
    • Emotional Disturbance
    • Hearing Impairment / Deafness
    • Visual Impairment / Blindness
    • Orthopedic Impairment
    • Other Health Impairment (e.g., ADHD, epilepsy, diabetes)
    • Traumatic Brain Injury
    • Developmental Delay (usually up to age 9)
    • Multiple Disabilities
    • Deaf-Blindness

  2. The disability must adversely affect educational performance and require specialized instruction.

2. 504 Plan

Law: Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (Civil Rights Law)
Purpose: Provides accommodations to ensure equal access to learning.

Eligibility:
• Student has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities (such as learning, walking, breathing, concentrating, etc.).
• Broader eligibility than an IEP — does not require one of the 13 IDEA categories.

3. Other Support Plans (Less Formal)

• RTI / MTSS (Intervention Plans): Tiered academic or behavioral interventions before an IEP or 504.
• BIP (Behavior Intervention Plan): Strategy-based plan often tied to an IEP for addressing behavior challenges.
• GIEP (Gifted IEP): In some states, for students identified as gifted and in need of enrichment or advanced instruction.

Special Education Transportation

1. Modified School Bus Services
• Lift-equipped buses for students using wheelchairs or mobility devices
• Specialized seating, harnesses, seat belts, or air conditioning for medical needs

2. Curb-to-Curb or Door-to-Door Pickup
• Transportation directly between home (or safe location) and school
• For students who cannot safely use regular bus stops

3. Aide or Attendant Support
• Trained adults may accompany the student
• Helps with behaviors, medical care, or transfers (e.g., autism, seizures)

4. Special Routing & Scheduling
• Adjusted pickup/drop-off times for therapies or medical needs
• Shortened rides if long travel worsens the child’s condition

5. Transportation for Related Services
• Required if the child needs services outside their assigned school (e.g., OT, PT, speech)

6. Transportation Between Schools
• District must transport students placed in different schools/programs (e.g., autism support)

7. Special Equipment
• Wheelchair tie-downs
• Safety vests, harnesses, or car seats
• Lifts or ramps

Dispensing Medication at School

1. Who Can Dispense Medication?

• Usually the school nurse (RN or LPN)
• In some cases, trained staff such as aides, secretaries, or teachers
• Must follow school and state policies

2. Types of Medication Covered

• Prescription meds (e.g., insulin, seizure meds, ADHD medications)
• OTC meds (e.g., Tylenol, Benadryl) — only with physician or parent instructions
• Emergency meds (e.g., EpiPen, inhaler, Diastat)

3. Parent Requirements

• Written parent authorization
• Doctor’s order or prescription label
• Medication in original pharmacy container
• Renewed documentation each school year (in many states)

4. Self-Carry & Self-Administration

• Allowed in many states for asthma, allergy, or diabetes meds
• Requires doctor’s note, parent request, and school approval
• Staff must still have access in emergencies

5. Recordkeeping & Safety

• Medication logs (time, dose, date, initials)
• Secure storage (locked cabinet or refrigerator if needed)
• Expired meds returned to parents

6. Legal Protections

IDEA / IEP:
If a child needs meds to benefit from education, it can be added to the IEP.

Section 504 / ADA:
Schools must provide reasonable accommodations like medication access.

Emergency Medications:
Schools must allow life-saving access (e.g., inhalers, EpiPens).

7. Special Situations

• Field Trips: Staff must be trained and carry necessary meds
• Nursing Delegation Laws: Vary by state (who can administer meds)
• Medication Refusal: If a student refuses, staff must notify parents — schools do not forcibly medicate

Tutor Services

Resources:

Club Z! Tutoring (ADHD & Learning Disabilities in Bucks County)
Phone: 215-395-8949
Website: https://clubztutoring.com — Bucks County

Tutor Doctor of Montgomery & Bucks County
Phone: 215-596-4242
Website: https://tutordoctor.com — Montgomery & Bucks County

Tutoring-Works (Learning Differences / Nontraditional Learners)
No public phone listed
Website: https://tutoring-works.com

LA Tutoring / Lauren Luke (Reading & Writing, Special Education Teacher)
No phone listed
Website: https://learnwithla.com

Bright Brains (Private Tutor via Yelp)
Phone: (484) 995-3568
Listing: Yelp – Bright Brains

Special Education Tutoring (Yelp Listing Near Dublin, PA / Bucks County)
Phone: (267) 897-6587
Listing: Yelp – Special Education Tutoring

Extended School Year (ESY)

Definition and Purpose:
ESY provides special education and related services beyond the regular school year (e.g., during summer or breaks).
It is not the same as summer school — ESY is specifically for students who need continued services to receive FAPE, and it must be included in the student’s IEP if deemed necessary.

Legal Basis:
Required under IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act).
Services are individualized — not based on disability category.

Typical Services May Include:
• Academic instruction (reading, math, writing)
• Speech therapy, OT, PT
• Behavioral or communication support
• Shortened schedules (such as a few hours per week or several weeks in summer)

Factors for Eligibility (Data-Based):

  1. Regression & Recoupment
    • Student is likely to lose critical skills during breaks and take extended time to regain them
    • Example: a child with autism losing communication skills after short breaks

  2. Emerging or Critical Skills
    • Missing instruction could disrupt major milestones (e.g., learning to read, use a device)

  3. Severity of Disability
    • Students requiring consistent reinforcement to maintain progress

  4. Behavioral or Functional Concerns
    • Breaks may trigger regression in behavior or self-care

  5. Special Circumstances
    • Complex medical or multiple disabilities
    • Heavy reliance on therapy services

Understanding Alternative Schools and Special Education Placements

Approved Private Schools (APS)
State-approved schools serving only students with disabilities.
Small classrooms, specialized staff, therapies, and individualized programming.
Examples in Pennsylvania:
• The Vanguard School (Malvern, PA) – autism, learning differences, emotional support
• The Bridge School / Lakeside School (Horsham, PA) – therapeutic/emotional support
• Delaware Valley Friends School (Paoli, PA) – dyslexia, ADHD, learning differences
• The Pathway School (Norristown, PA) – intellectual disabilities, autism, life skills
• Center School (Abington, PA) – dyslexia, ADHD, learning disabilities

Private Special Education Schools (Non-Approved)
• May not appear on approved APS lists but still serve children with disabilities
• Parents may place children privately
• In some cases, districts may be required to pay after due process if FAPE is not provided

Charter Schools Specializing in Special Education
• Cyber or brick-and-mortar charters with special ed programs
• Examples: Agora Cyber Charter, PA Virtual Charter

Intermediate Unit (IU) Programs
• Regional programs for specialized needs
• Example: Bucks County IU #22 (autism support, emotional support, life skills)

AEDY (Alternative Education for Disruptive Youth) Programs
• Designed for students with significant behavior challenges
• Highly structured, counseling-based settings

Residential Schools & Treatment Facilities
• For students whose therapeutic and educational needs require 24-hour care
• Includes programs for severe emotional, behavioral, or medical needs

The Hillside School (Lehigh Valley, PA)
Services: Private school for children with learning differences.
Phone: 610-967-3701
URL: https://www.hillsideschool.org

Homeschooling a Child with Special Needs

1. Legal Right to Homeschool
• Legal in all 50 states, but requirements differ
• Some states require notification, education plans, or annual evaluations
• If the child has an existing IEP, additional rules may apply

2. Loss or Change of School-Provided Services
• When a family withdraws a student to homeschool, schools typically are no longer obligated to provide services
• However, in some districts/states, students may still access:
• OT, PT, speech therapy
• Extracurriculars or partial enrollment
• Homeschooled children have fewer federal protections under IDEA

3. Educational Planning Responsibilities
Parents must manage:
• Curriculum design or purchase
• Specialized interventions (reading programs, therapy supports)
• Academic tracking and evaluations (depends on state law)

4. Support Resources for Homeschooling Families
• Special needs curricula (e.g., Orton-Gillingham programs)
• Functional academics and life skills materials
• Co-ops and local homeschool networks
• Private therapists (speech, OT, counseling)
• Cyber charter schools (many allow IEPs)

Private Advocates and Special Education Law Firms

Resources:

McAndrews Law — Special Education Law Practice
• Strategic legal support, IEP advocacy, representation
• Serves PA, DE, MD, and Washington D.C.
• Attorneys often hold advanced degrees in education or psychology
Website: https://mcandrewslaw.com/practice-areas/special-education/
Phone: 610-648-9300

Harmony Special Education Advocates
• Advocacy and consulting for families in the Greater Philadelphia region
• Attends IEP meetings, reviews documents
Phone: 267-567-5211
Website: https://harmonyspecialeducationadvocates.com/

Brylan Advocates
• Parent coaching and IEP/placement advocacy in Bensalem / Bucks County
Website: https://brylanadvocates.com/

Law Office of Mark W. Voigt (Special Education Law)
• Legal representation in IDEA and Section 504 matters
Phone: 610-940-1709
Website: https://mwvoigt.com/

Charles Weiner Law
• Disability rights and special education representation
Phone: 267-685-6311
Website: https://charlesweinerlaw.com/

Ilene Young, Esq. (Young Law Offices)
• Education law attorney in Bucks County
• Represents parents in special education disputes
Phone: 215-750-9500

Disability Rights PA (DRP)
• Statewide advocacy organization including education-related support
Website: https://disabilityrightspa.org/

PEAL Center (Pennsylvania)
• Parent training, support, and advocacy for students with disabilities
Website: https://pealcenter.org/

Bucks County LIFE (Living in Family Environments)
• Free support for families with children up to age 26
• Helps with navigation, IEP meetings, resources, and referrals
Phone: 888-442-1590
Website: https://accessservices.org/

The Education Lawyers
Services: Provides special education advocacy including IEPs, 504 plans, and due process support.
Phone: 215-340-7500
URL: https://www.theeducationlawyers.com

Murphy & Murphy, P.C.
Services: Focuses on special education law, including IEP disputes and guardianship matters.
Phone: 610-863-8502
URL: https://www.murphy2.com

Law Office of Mark W. Voigt
Services: Provides special education law services with a focus on IDEA and Section 504 advocacy.
Phone: 610-940-1709
URL: https://www.mwvoigt.com

Jacobson & John, LLP
Description: Focuses extensively on special education law, IEPs, 504 plans, due process hearings, disability rights, gifted education, and advocacy for students with special needs.
Address: 99 Lantern Dr, Doylestown, PA 18901,
Phone: (215) 340-7500
Email: info@theeducationlawyers.com

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December 12, 2025

This memoir by Josh Stehle is a well-written account of his experience growing up with his autistic older brother. It’s often funny, insightful, and highlights the positive brotherly connection that they share. It’s a quick must-read for autism parents and siblings.

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