5 Games & Activities for Children (4-7 years)
Children’s executive function, self-regulation, and physical skills develop rapidly during the years from four to seven. Every child develops at their own pace, so choose games that align with their individual skill levels. Games should be challenging, but not too frustrating.
Publication Date: December 2024
Publisher: Center on the Developing Child, Harvard University
10 Basic Steps in Special Education
There is a lot to know about the process by which children are identified as having a disability and in need of special education and related services. This webpage is devoted to helping parents learn about that process.
Publication Date: April 2022
Publisher: Center for Parent Information and Resources
A Parent’s Guide to Evaluations, IEPs, and More
This webpage offers suggestions for parents when they suspect their child has a learning disability including how to proceed with the school, prepare for their role in IEP meetings, and navigate the system if they feel the IEP is ineffective.
Author: Lauren Clouser
Publisher: Learning Disabilities Association of America
All About the IEP
The IEP is an extremely important document in the educational lives of students with disabilities receiving special education under IDEA. The resources included on this webpage will help you learn more about IEPs—what the law requires, what information a typical IEP contains, how IEPs are developed, and so on.
Publication Date: April 2022
Publisher: Center for Parent Information and Resources
Behavior Tracker
This is a free Behavior Tracker for parents to manage outbursts and big emotions of kids with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. Get personalized insights and tips, and learn techniques developed by psychologists to improve your child’s behavior over time—all at your own pace.
Publisher: Understood for All
Complete Guide to ADHD
This guide offers parents the information needed to understand the behaviors associated with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and make effective decisions for your child about symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.
Publication Date: Updated June 2025
Publisher: Child Mind Institute
Evaluating School-Aged Children for Disability
Before a child can receive special education and related services for the first time, a full and individual initial evaluation of the child must be conducted to see if the child has a disability and is eligible for special education. This webpage will help you learn more about what these requirements are.
Publication Date: Updated April 2022
Publisher: Center for Parent Information and Resources
IEPs and 504 Plans: A Guide for Parents
This webpage explains early intervention and the differences and support structures for IEPs and 504 plans. It gives tips for the IEP meeting and how to request services or adjust an IEP or 504 plan if it’s not working.
Author: Rajapillai Pillai and Jacqueline Branch
Publication Date: Updated February 2023
Publisher: American Academy of Pediatrics
IEPs: How to Prepare for IEP Meetings | Understood Explains
IEP meetings can be stressful and high-pressure for families. It is an important time to ask questions and advocate for what you think is best for your child. Knowing what to expect in the meeting and how to get ready can put you at ease. This podcast episode will go over the nuts and bolts of preparing to talk about your child’s IEP, or individualized education program.
Publication Date: May 2024
Publisher: Understood for All
IEPs: Special Education Terms and Your Legal Rights | Understood Explains
This podcast episode breaks down some key terms and explains the legal rights that come with an IEP, or Individualized Education Program. Some terms can make things confusing quickly, but it is important for parents to understand these terms.
Publication Date: April 2024
Publisher: Understood for All
IEPs: The 13 Disability Categories | Understood Explains
This podcast episode describes the 13 disability categories listed in a federal law called the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, or IDEA, and how your child will need to fit into at least one disability category to get an IEP, or individualized education program.
Publication Date: April 2024
Publisher: Understood for All
Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)
This article explains students who need extra help and support in school may be eligible for special education services in the form of an individualized education program (IEP). This program is offered free of charge to families of kids in public schools and outlines the goals and any support services that may be needed for a child to succeed in school.
Publication Date: 2022
Publisher: KidsHealth
Learning Disabilities and Differences: What Parents Need To Know
This webpage explains learning disabilities and differences and offers signs for preschool children, school-aged children, and teens. It includes ways parents can help their children who learn and think differently.
Author: Jennifer Zubler
Publication Date: Updated September 2024
Publisher: American Academy of Pediatrics
Occupational Therapy Services at School
This flyer helps a parent to ask yourself if your child needs help with school activities and ask your child’s school about occupational therapy services. Occupational therapy services are provided
wherever students need support, such as classrooms, hallways, cafeterias, bathrooms, gymnasiums, playgrounds, and buses.
Publisher: Occupational Therapy Services at School
Parent and Educator Resource Guide to Section 504 in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools
This resource guide is intended to help parents of students with disabilities understand the obligations imposed under Section 504. In particular, the resource guide summarizes key requirements of Section 504, and aims to increase understanding of these requirements for both parents and members of the school community alike.
Publication Date: December 2016
Publisher: U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights
Parenting Hacks for Special Needs Kids
Parents of children with special needs share a wide range of strategies and tips for dealing with sensory issues and other common challenges. Links throughout the article provide additional information.
Author: Beth Arky
Publication Date: Updated February 2024
Publisher: Child Mind Institute
Qualified Professionals Eligible to Conduct Appropriate Evaluations
This AZ-TAS document provides the list of qualified professionals developed by the Department of Education as required by law as amended and approved by the Arizona State Board of Education in January 2018.
Publication Date: Revised August 2018
Publisher: Arizona Department of Education
Right to an Evaluation of a Child for Special Education Services
This webpage shares information for parents who are aware their child is having a difficult time with reading, mathematics, written expression or other aspects of school work; might suspect that the child has a learning disability (LD), also known as specific learning disabilities; and may be in need of special education services.
Publication Date: Updated January 2023
Publisher: Learning Disabilities Association of America
School Discipline: The Rights of Students with IEPs and 504 Plans
This article helps parents understand their child's rights when it comes to school discipline. It includes a video from an attorney specializing in education law and criminal defense.
Author: Andrew Lee
Publication Date: Updated May 2025
Publisher: Great Schools
School Success Kit for Kids with Executive Functioning Issues
For kids with executive functioning issues, challenges with school can range from staying on top of homework to finding their shoes in the morning. Here are some tools to help kids who struggle to stay organized and focused.
Author: Rae Jacobson
Publication Date: Updated December 2024
Publisher: Child Mind Institute
Special Education: Getting Help for Your Child
This article explains what to do if parents have a concern about their child’s ability to learn. The sooner kids get the help that is needed, the more successful they can be in school.
Publication Date: 2022
Publisher: KidsHealth
The Parent Advocacy App
The Parent Advocacy app helps families understand the rights of their deaf or hard of hearing children and prepares them to work with the school to ensure the best interest of their child is a priority. Take notes, use the interactive checklist, access resources, and connect with our collaborating organizations to help you before, during, and after situations such as Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 meetings.
Publisher: Gallaudet University
The Special Education Handbook: A Brief Overview of the History and Requirements of Part B of the IDEA
This handbook defines laws and requirements for providing special education. It includes the special education framework, Child Find, evaluation, consent for services, IEPs, delivery of services, procedural safeguards, prior written notice, confidentiality, dispute resolution, and behavior and discipline.
Authors: Kacey Gregson and Shannon Chavez
Publication Date: January 2018
Publisher: Arizona Department of Education
Through My Eyes
Understand ADHD, dyslexia, and dyscalculia through real kids’ stories. Explore simulations, videos, and resources for kids, parents, and educators. Discover tips for talking with your child, co-parent, teacher, and pediatrician.
Publisher: Understood for All
Traveling the Special Education Highway
Exceptional Student Services provides this guide for information about parental rights and special education procedures.
Publication Date: Revised 2019
Publisher: Arizona Department of Education
What Is Expressive Language Disorder?
This webpage offers a snapshot of what expressive language disorder is, expressive language disorder signs and symptoms, possible causes of expressive language disorder, and how expressive language disorder is diagnosed.
Publisher: Understood for All
What Is Receptive Language Disorder?
This webpage offers a snapshot of what receptive language disorder is, receptive language disorder signs and symptoms, possible causes of receptive language disorder, and how receptive language disorder is diagnosed.
Publisher: Understood for All
What Are Your Rights in the IEP Process?
If your child has an Individualized Education Program (IEP), or your child is being evaluated for one, federal law gives you some important rights. This webpage details what your rights are in the IEP process and the right to participate in IEP meetings.
Author: Andrew Lee
Publisher: Understood for All
What’s in an IEP
This webpage details some of the things the IEP will include, such as your child’s present level of performance in school (PLOP); individualized instruction and related services, such as occupational therapy; supports like accommodations and assistive technology; and annual goals or a target for improvement in the skills a child struggles with.
Publication Date: Updated August 2023
Publisher: Understood for All