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Community Corner

New Guide to Help Parents of Preschoolers with Disabilities

Leaders in the field of special education in New Jersey have created a new guide to help parents of young children with disabilities access better care and services.   The free booklet, in both English and Spanish, details the rights of a child with special needs to access effective, appropriate special education, and therapies, such as speech therapy and physical therapy, at no cost to parents.   “Our new guide is intended to help parents of our youngest children - those in the preschool years - understand and access the high quality, effective services they need to make a lifetime of difference,” said Gerard Thiers, Executive Director of ASAH, the New Jersey-based advocacy organization that produced the booklet. “Many parents are not aware that they have the right to special education in an approved private school. This booklet explains all of the placement options that must be considered, ” he added.   Beginning at age three, federal and state laws guarantee that children with disabilities are eligible for free special education services, which may include attending a private specialty school. Research shows that effective, appropriate special education and related services provided at an early age by skilled professionals can make a lifetime of difference.   The booklet can be downloaded free of charge at www.asah.org, or by calling 609-890-1400.   About ASAH: ASAH is a not-for-profit organization of private schools and agencies in New Jersey which provide highly specialized services to more than 11,000 infants, children and young adults with disabilities. Founded in 1974, ASAH now serves more than 145 schools and agencies throughout the state. ASAH works to develop policy, promote effective educational practices, and foster productive collaborations between private schools, public schools, parents and leaders in government.

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