If you are looking for a special education lawyer, you may want to check with groups in your area that advocate for children with special needs. You could also talk to the parents of other young people in your area to see if they have had to hire an attorney to help them negotiate with a school system, as they could be able to recommend someone to you. Try to find out if a particular counselor might represent you in front of school board hearings or in court, if need be.
There are groups of people who advocate, or plead the causes, of children with learning disabilities. For instance, there are organizations dedicated to protecting the rights of students with autism. Advocate groups might also include those who are interested in maintaining accountability of the school administration. These organizations may have built a relationship with certain attorneys and therefore be able to recommend one of them to represent you or your child.
You may know other parents of children who require additional attention in the classroom. These guardians may have previously had to hire a special education lawyer to help them deal with an issue. Ask them who they have used and what their experiences were in order to get an idea of who may be able to help you.
After you have been recommended a special education lawyer, you might want to have a consultation with him. During this interview, be sure to describe your child's situation thoroughly and include what measures you have already taken to rectify your situation. Pay attention to the attorney's reaction to see if he seems sympathetic to your needs and willing to help.
You might also want to know what this lawyer could be willing to do for you. Find out if he would attend school board hearings or meet with the superintendent if necessary. Ask if he has experience litigating similar matters in court, if you feel the circumstances might need to be heard in front of a judge.
Having a child that requires special attention in order to learn effectively can be a frustrating ordeal. When this is compounded by disagreements with a school, it can be even more so. If you choose to hire a special education lawyer to help you defend your child's rights, this decision can often relieve some of the anxiety associated with this process.
