Attorney Blog from the Law Office of Christina D. Ghio

What is a Manifestation Determination Review?

By Christina D. Ghio|2018-11-13T14:29:44+00:00October 23rd, 2018|

When a child with a disability gets in trouble at school, the law requires that the school take steps not to discriminate against the child based on his or her disability. The Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act (IDEA) creates a framework and a process for this, known as a manifestation determination review.

Can kids with anxiety and depression receive special education services?

By Christina D. Ghio|2018-11-07T19:02:54+00:00October 10th, 2018|

Yes, they can! Schools often overlook children with mental health needs like anxiety and depression, particularly when those mental health needs that manifest themselves internally. Depression and anxiety are often invisible.

How do I get my child identified to receive special education services?

By Christina D. Ghio|2018-11-07T19:04:32+00:00October 10th, 2018|

If you suspect your child may need special education services, it isn’t always easy to figure out how to get the school to provide special education services. The process can be pretty complex and daunting, especially for parents who are new to it.

Ten Things You Should Know About Section 504 and Expulsion in Connecticut

By Christina D. Ghio|2018-11-07T19:06:00+00:00October 30th, 2017|

If your child has a 504 plan and is facing expulsion, you should know that your child has rights. In a nutshell, the school district cannot expel students for behavior that is caused by or substantially related to their disability.

OSEP Warns CT: Educate ALL Children

By Christina D. Ghio|2018-11-07T19:06:38+00:00January 10th, 2017|

Reacting to the decision in Connecticut Coalition for Justice in Education Funding, Inc, et al v. Rell, the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) sent out this letter, making it clear that ALL children are entitled to an education.

Fry, Exhaustion, and Service Dogs: Why the Supreme Court’s Decision About a Dry Legal Issue Matters

By Christina D. Ghio|2018-11-07T19:07:11+00:00November 2nd, 2016|

The Supreme Court recently heard oral arguments in the case of Fry v. Napoleon Community Schools to decide whether children with disabilities have to “exhaust their administrative remedies” before going to court to enforce their right to use a service animal.

Can my child’s paraprofessional come to the PPT meeting?

By Christina D. Ghio|2018-11-07T19:08:59+00:00April 7th, 2016|

Yes! Parents of children with special education needs often wonder if they can invite the paraprofessional working with their child to the PPT meeting. In Connecticut, parents can not only ask for paraprofessionals to participate in the PPT, they have a right to it! In 2015, the Connecticut legislature amended the law to make it clear that parents the right to have the school paraprofessional assigned to the student attend the PPT meeting

DOJ Continues to Enforce the Right of Children to Bring Service Dogs to School

By Christina D. Ghio|2018-11-07T19:09:41+00:00October 27th, 2015|

More and more children with disabilities are benefiting from service dogs. Some children have service dogs who alert them to the presence of allergens. Some service dogs alert to an oncoming seizure. Still other service dogs are trained to interrupt self-injurious behavior, provide stability for children with mobility impairments, or prevent the child from running away. Service dogs help children with disabilities develop independence they would not otherwise have. When children use service dogs, the law allows them to be accompanied by their service dog, even in school

Why Service Dogs Matter

By Christina D. Ghio|2018-11-07T19:10:40+00:00October 27th, 2015|

I think it is important for people to understand why service dogs matter. Service dogs help people with disabilities live with more independence than they otherwise would. They help in ways that those of us who live without disabilities and without the need for service animals can't fully understand and appreciate

Enough is Enough: End Unnecessary Restraint and Seclusion Now

By Christina D. Ghio|2018-11-07T19:11:36+00:00September 16th, 2015|

This week, the Office of the Child Advocate (OCA) released videos of children being restrained and placed in seclusion at the Connecticut Juvenile Training School (CJTS), the state’s locked facility for boys, and the Pueblo unit at Riverview Hospital, the state’s locked facility for girls. The videos are a disturbing reminder of how our state fails some of our most vulnerable children

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