SPED week 3

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering key terms and concepts from Chapter 4: Parents, Families, and Exceptionality.

IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act) of 2004

Federal law that guarantees rights and safeguards for evaluation, assessment, due process, and parental participation in decisions regarding children with disabilities.

Due process

Legal safeguards that must be followed during the assessment process and delivery of services under IDEA.

Right of notice

The right of parents to be informed about evaluations, decisions, and changes affecting their child.

Right of consent

Parents must provide informed consent before initial evaluations and certain services.

Right of evaluation

Parents have the right to an evaluation to determine a child’s eligibility and needs.

Right of an independent evaluation

Parents may obtain an independent evaluation at public expense if they disagree with school evaluations.

Right of participation

Parents have the right to participate in decision-making processes, including IEP meetings.

Right of access

Parents’ right to access their child’s educational records.

Right to confidentiality

Right to privacy and protection of educational records and information.

Right to hearing

Right to a due process hearing to resolve disputes with the school.

Right to mediation

Right to use mediation as a voluntary dispute-resolution process with school personnel.

Right to resolve differences (appeal to the state court system)

Right to appeal school decisions through the state court system if differences remain unresolved.

Family systems model

A framework that views the family as an interactive, interdependent unit with four interrelated components.

Family characteristics

Unique traits of family members and consideration of cultural background.

Family interactions

Daily and weekly patterns of how family members relate and communicate.

Family functions

Key roles such as finances, recreation, education, and vocational choices that families perform.

Life cycle

A series of transitions and developmental stages that families experience over time.

Defining family

Two or more people who live together and are related by birth, marriage, adoption, or long-term mutual commitment.

Cohesion

The emotional bonding and closeness among family members.

Adaptability

The family’s flexibility in changing rules, roles, and relationships in response to stress.

Stage Model of Parental Reaction to Disability

A model describing parental emotional responses in stages (primary, secondary, tertiary) after learning of a child’s disability.

Primary phase

Initial reactions such as shock and disbelief.

Secondary phase

Emotional responses like ambivalence, guilt, denial, and anger.

Tertiary phase

Reorganization leading to acceptance and adjustment.

Shock

Initial disbelief upon learning of a child’s disability.

Ambivalence

Mixed feelings or uncertainty about how to proceed.

Guilt

Feelings of remorse or self-blame regarding the disability.

Denial

Refusal to accept the reality of the disability.

Anger

Frustration or anger directed at the situation or others.

Shame and embarrassment

Feelings about others’ perceptions or stigma related to the disability.

Reorganization

Rebuilding family routines, roles, and functioning after initial reactions.

Acceptance and adjustment

Coming to terms with the disability and adapting life plans accordingly.