Katie Curra SLP, Founder of Kids Language Center Speech and language pathologist, Katie Curra, is the founder and owner of Kids Language Center in Cos Cob, CT.  In this episode, we talk about how speech and language services are assessed and evaluated as well as implemented within an IEP. We also talk about the importance of having your child's school SLP evaluator work closely with the rest of the school team.  Lastly, we talk about when to recognize when an SLP evaluation is not comprehensive and what a parent should do about it.   ..read more

Amanda Zecchin, M.S., OTR/L Amanda Zecchin, M.S., OTR/L, is a licensed Occupational Therapist with over a decade of experience.  She recently founded A to Z Occupational Therapy LLC in Greenwich, CT.  As the mother of a child with special needs she is uniquely qualified to serve the needs of other families in similar circumstances. To find out more information, visit www.atotherapy.net  ..read more

Dr. John Molteni is the Director of Behavioral Health at Prism Autism Education and Consultation, located in Farmington, CT. Dr. Molteni is a clinician and educator with over 20 years of experience in the field of Autism and Developmental Disabilities as a Psychologist, Behavior Analyst, and Educator. He has have provided clinical and educational services from preschool to young adulthood in various settings. Throughout his career, Dr. Molteni has had the opportunity to establish unique programs in public schools, higher education, and clinically at the Hospital for Special Care. In 2012, in p ..read more

Attorney Jack Robinson On March 22, 2017 the United States Supreme Court in the case of Endrew F. v Douglas County School District ruled that a school district's IEP must provide a child with a disability more than just a de minimis, or minimal, educational benefit. In a 16-page decision, Chief Justice John G. Roberts, wrote for a unanimous court ruling that School Districts must offer individualized education programs that are “reasonably calculated to enable a child to make progress appropriate in light of the child’s circumstances.” In this episode, we sit down and talk with the attorney ..read more

In this episode, we discuss the importance of how a multidisciplinary evaluation can help to more fully inform your child's IEP placement and programming needs with guest speaker, Dr. Chris Bogart, owner and Co-Director of Sasco River Center LLC located in Fairfield County, CT. Dr. Bogart is licensed clinical psychologist who has worked in both the private and public sectors for the past twenty-five years, Dr. Bogart works with children, adolescents and parents, conducting comprehensive psychoeducational and AD/HD evaluations as well as therapy services. He also provides program consultations ..read more

As we all come to grips with the new temporary norms across our country due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is critical that we understand and fully appreciate the impact this outbreak is having on special education and related services to our students with disabilities and their families. It is absolutely essential that families make informed decisions about the educational wellbeing of their children with disabilities by consulting with their local education agency. It is also equally important that families know their child’s rights under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA ..read more

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Dr. Peter Gerhardt In this podcast we talk about transition planning during COVID with Dr. Gerhardt. Dr. Gerhardt is the Executive Director of EPIC School in Paramus, NJ. He has more than 30 years experience utilizing the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis in support of individuals with autism spectrum disorders in educational, employment, residential and community-based settings. Dr. Gerhardt is the author or the coauthor of many articles and book chapters on the needs of adolescents and adults with ASDs and has presented nationally and internationally on this topic. Dr. Gerhardt is the ..read more

Let's Talk Sped Law is now in its second season and spreading across the nation! In this episode top special education lawyer Jill Hornig talks about her journey into special education law - both as a parent of two children on the autism spectrum as well as from the perspective as a special education attorney. From binders to electronic filing, learn how to effectively organize your child's IEPS, evaluations, progress reports, and data during good and challenging times throughout your child's education.  ..read more

Do you need to hire a special education lawyer for your child, but you don’t know where to start? Join me as we briefly discuss and learn the importance of hiring the right special education attorney for you and your child with a disability. Hiring the right special education lawyer is a critical decision. In this podcast, we briefly walk you through what you should look for. -Jeff Forte, Esq.  ..read more