A Parent's Guide to Special Education in NYS for Children 3-21

This guide contains comprehensive information on the special education process in New York State, beginning with the initial referral for special education services. Special education means specially designed individualized or group instruction or special services or programs to meet the unique needs of students with disabilities. Special education services and programs are provided at no cost to the parent. 

Abandoned Infant Protection Act

New York State’s Abandoned Infant Protection Act allows a parent to abandon a newborn baby up to 30 days of age anonymously and without fear of prosecution -- if the baby is abandoned in a safe manner.

parent is not guilty of a crime if the infant is left with an appropriate person or in a suitable location and the parent promptly notifies an appropriate person of the infant’s location.  A hospital, staffed police or fire station are examples of safe and suitable choices.

A person leaving an infant under this law is not required to give his or her name.

Click here to listen to an audio message about Abandoned Infant Protection Act .

Academic Intervention Services - Questions and Answers

This publication defines academic intervention services; discusses eligibility; parental notification and involvement and the relationship of academic intervention services to ERSS, PCEN and Title 1.

Assistive Technology Basics / Finding an Assistive Technology

This web page provides comprehensive information on assistive technologies for children with learning and attention issues. The resources on this page include:

• Who Pays for Assistive Technology? Parents or Schools?
• Checklist: What to Consider When Looking at Assistive Technology
• Assistive Technology that's Built into Mobile Devices
• Checklist: What to ask the School before Choosing a Tool or Device
• 10 New Apps for Grade-Schools with Learning and Attention Issues

Autism Videos for Parents

The videos in this gallery are a  mix of English and Spanish and provide subtitles in both languages. The videos show parents and discuss the trauma of discovering their children were different and they discuss the struggles they have faced and how they have managed and overcome them.

Become a Family Peer Advocate (FPA)

Family Peer Advocates are valuable professionals within the child serving system. They are uniquely qualified to work with families based on their first-hand experience as the parent/caregiver of a young person with a social, emotional, behavioral, health, or developmental disability. This experience, combined with additional Parent Empowerment (PEP) training, allows them to provide peer support to parents of children with similar challenges.

Bullying & Students with Disabilities

This publication provides information for parents and families and schools about the laws, regulations and policies of bullying and harassment in schools. 

Child Mind Institute

The Child Mind Institute contains a wide variety of useful information resources for families and educators. The site explores concerns and challenges faced by parents, family members and educators. Learn how to effectively respond to emotional, behavioral and learning challenges. This website also contains many personal story videos.

Collaborative and Proactive Solutions

Whether you're a parent or teacher...whether a child is behaviorally challenging or not...collaboration is the key to improved relationships, better communication, and solving problems. This website contains a ton of free resources to help you move in that direction. The goals of this website is to help to ensure that kids everywhere are treated in ways that are compassionate, informed, and effective.

College-level Reading - Tips and Tools to Help with Comprehension and Fluency

This is a guide for parents and students and provides a quick overview of tools and strategies to aid comprehension and fluency while reading college level text.