Natashe Washington, Esq.

Special Education Law

Securing appropriate IEPs, related services, and placements under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

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  • IEP Development & Review: Ensuring goals, services, and accommodations match your child's needs
  • Assessments & Evaluations: Requesting school assessments and independent educational evaluations (IEEs)
  • Placement Decisions: Advocating for the least restrictive environment with appropriate supports
  • Compensatory Education: Recovering services lost due to district failures
  • Transition Planning: Post-secondary goals and services for students 14+

No Out-of-Pocket Fees

Parents pay no attorney’s fees in special education cases. The school district covers attorney’s fees when parents prevail. Start with a free consultation.

Common IEP Issues

Insufficient Services

Speech therapy, occupational therapy, or behavioral support services that don't match assessment findings or current needs.

Inappropriate Placement

Placement in a more restrictive setting than necessary, or denial of access to general education with appropriate supports.

Delayed Assessments

Districts failing to complete assessments within 60 days or refusing to assess in all areas of suspected disability.

Lack of Progress

IEP goals that are vague, unmeasurable, or not addressing the child's actual educational needs.

Due Process & Mediation

When informal advocacy doesn’t resolve the dispute, parents have the right to file for due process at the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH). The typical sequence is:

Resolution Session

A mandatory meeting with the district before hearing.

Mediation

A neutral mediator facilitates settlement discussions.

Due Process Hearing

A formal hearing before an administrative law judge if no settlement.

Most cases settle before hearing. When they don’t, we litigate.

Common IEP Issues

FAPE

Free Appropriate Public Education: Your child is entitled to an education designed to meet their unique needs and prepare them for further education, employment, and independent living. The IEP must be reasonably calculated to enable progress.

LRE

Least Restrictive Environment: Students with disabilities must be educated with non-disabled peers to the maximum extent appropriate. Removal to separate settings should only occur when education in general classes cannot be achieved satisfactorily.

Compensatory Education

When a district fails to provide FAPE, parents may be entitled to compensatory services—additional services to make up for what was lost. This can include tutoring, therapy, extended school year, or related services beyond what the current IEP provides.

Start with a free evaluation

Share your child’s IEP, assessments, and concerns. We’ll review everything and provide clear next steps.

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Learn More About Special Education Law

Natashe Washington, Esq.

Special education law with free consultation and no out-of-pocket attorney’s fees for parents. Serving families throughout California.

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