Case for Support

Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings are complex and can be overwhelming for parents to navigate alone. It is difficult, even for the most knowledgeable parent, to know what services must be provided to meet the unique educational needs of his/her child. Access to knowledgeable education advocates is essential for parents to have an equitable seat at the table. There are insufficient advocacy resources of this kind in Mississippi.

AASD will fill this desperate need. AASD has extensive experience advocating for and representing students with disabilities. AASD’s work will be centered around IEP meetings. AASD’s advocacy and representation will ensure children with disabilities have an opportunity to receive appropriate special education services while helping school districts increase graduation rates.

Currently AASD only accepts cases on behalf of students with autism eligibility rulings. We hope to be able to serve clients with other eligibility rulings in the future.

Autism

Common characteristics of students with autism include social skills difficulties, sensory issues, communication difficulties and behavioral issues. AASD will ensure children with autism are provided the opportunity to receive appropriate social skills training, occupational therapy, communication services, behavioral therapy, counseling services and all other appropriate services to address each child’s unique needs. AASD will ensure these services are provided in inclusive settings to the maximum extent appropriate for each child. These services will enable children with autism to make appropriate social, emotional, behavioral and academic progress.

DYSLEXIA

Students with dyslexia have a difficult time learning to read. AASD will ensure children with dyslexia are provided the opportunity to receive evidence based dyslexia therapy services and all other appropriate services to address each child’s unique needs. These services will provide children with dyslexia the opportunity to learn to read which is the fundamental building block to making progress in the core curriculum classes throughout elementary school, middle school, high school and college.

Intellectual disability

Students with intellectual disability have significant limitations in intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior. AASD will ensure children with intellectual disabilities are provided with the opportunity to receive appropriate communication services, assistive technology services, accommodations, modifications and all other appropriate services to address each child’s unique needs. AASD will ensure these services are provided in inclusive settings to the maximum extent appropriate for each child. These services will enable children with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to learn to communicate which is necessary to make appropriate educational progress.

Mental Health disability

Characteristics of students with an emotional disturbance ruling include depression, fear, difficulty building relationships and behavioral issues. AASD will ensure children with mental health disabilities are provided with the opportunity to receive appropriate counseling, behavioral supports and services and all other appropriate services to address each child’s unique needs. These services will enable children with mental health disabilities the opportunity to make appropriate educational progress in inclusive settings to the maximum extent appropriate. In turn, children with mental health disabilities will be afforded the opportunity to successfully transition from school to college and/or work.