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Health & Fitness

Children with Mental Illness and their educational rights

Does your child suffer from mental illness? What is he/she entitled to when pertaining to a Free Appropriate Public Education?

If your child suffers from mental illness, the school may be obligated to offer an Idividualized Education Program.

First, here is one of a few Patch blog's about mental illness. Written by: President and Medical Director, Silver Hill Hospital.

There are IEP (and section 504) resources expressly for children with Bipolar Disorder, as well as additional mental health problems.  Here you will find a model IEP for a child with Bipolar.  This model gives clear goals, objectives, modifications, and a behavior plan. 

Find out what's happening in Wiltonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Don't forget about a bullying plan too!  A child with any mental health illness (or any special educational need) is at a greater risk for being bullied, and a plan can be put in place in the IEP before the bullying takes place.

Visit the State of CT, Dept of Ed and review all the regulations pertaining to bullying in CT schools.

Find out what's happening in Wiltonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

There is a great book written by Mitxi Waltz about Bipolar Disorder and it has a chapter which provides information as it relates to the issues surrounding schooling and developing an IEP for the bipolar child.

The IDEA 2004 regulation [Other Health Impairment (§ 300.8(c)(9)) ] is where you can find more information regarding "Other Health Impairments" in the Federal Register.

If you have confidential questions, please feel free to email Faith Filiault at info@advocatewithfaith.com.  You will get direction to find the additional resources you need at no charge.

http://www.advocatewithfaith.com

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