| As a Realtor, I'm sometimes approached by | | | | information. |
| parents of kids with special needs. They'll ask: | | | | If you're not already involved in such a group, you |
| "What are the best schools in the area for this | | | | should be. Most of them have lots of great |
| situation?" Maybe their child has cerebral palsy. Or | | | | resources: Often regular education meetings, |
| a hearing disorder. Or a speech problem. Or ADHD | | | | support groups, a referral program to experts |
| (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder). Or any of | | | | and professionals in the field, and much more. So, |
| a hundred other physical or mental issues. | | | | join. Then tap into those resources. |
| One disadvantage Realtors have is that we can't | | | | Second, ask your child's pediatrician or a specialist |
| say: "This is a great school" or "This is a terrible | | | | your child goes to for recommendations and |
| school." The reason: What may be a good school | | | | suggestions. The specialists, in particular, will know |
| for one child may be a poor one for another. So, | | | | which schools are more supportive and which |
| like parrots, most Realtors will refer parents to | | | | ones are less. It's likely that they've appeared |
| web sites that rate schools. (And there are some | | | | before school evaluation boards with the parents |
| very good sites. Still, that doesn't answer your | | | | as the school has considered whether to approve |
| questions. | | | | a 504 Plan or an IEP for children. |
| So what do you do? Here are four tips. | | | | Third, some school PTAs also will have a |
| First, you may already be a member of a | | | | committee or subcommittee on special education. |
| non-profit group that deals with that particular | | | | The parents on those committees will tell you |
| disorder. If so, ask them.I have some experience | | | | what the school is like for kids with special needs. |
| with kids with learning challenges, and kids with | | | | Frankly, it's a very good sign if a school's PTA (or |
| ADHD. One of the national organizations (with | | | | other parent group) does have such a committee |
| hundreds of local chapters) is CHADD--Children | | | | subcommittee. It indicates a high level of |
| and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity | | | | awareness already. |
| Disorder. I'm involved in the local chapter, and we | | | | Fourth, visit the school and talk to the school's |
| get similar questions frequently. And, trust me, | | | | principal, or a guidance counselor. You'll get a good |
| the experts and the parents know which schools | | | | idea of the school's general approach--whether it's |
| are supportive and which ones aren't. As a | | | | open and supportive... or not--toward children with |
| Realtor, I may not be able to say that one school | | | | special needs. |
| is better than another. But as a parent, I know... | | | | Those four tips will help you choose a school |
| and as a parent I'm willing to share that | | | | that's best for your child. |