The following links are provided as a resource and do not constitute an endorsement by the Fairfield Public Schools or the Fairfield Special Education Advisory Council (SEPAC).

The State of NJ Special Education:

• Frequently Asked Questions  http://www.state.nj.us/education/specialed/faq/
• Presentation: An Array of Supports for Including Students with Disabilities in General education programs 2008 http://www.state.nj.us/education/specialed/info/array.shtml
• State Special Education Advisory Council   http://199.20.64.195/education/sseac/
• NJDOE Office of Special Education Programs  http://www.state.nj.us/education/specialed/
• Children with Special Needs  http://www.state.nj.us/njded/parents/special.htm
• Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired  www.state.nj.us/humanservices/cbvi/index.html
• Division of Disability Services  http://www.state.nj.us/humanservices/cbvi/index.html
• Division of Family Health Services  www.state.nj.us/health/fhs/index.html
• Early Intervention System  www.state.nj.us/health/fhs/eiphome.htm

Specific Disabilities

 Autism:

• Autism NJ,  Center for Outreach and Services for the Autism Community  www.autismnj.org
• Autism Speaks, The nation's largest autism science and advocacy organization   http://www.autismspeaks.org/
• Autism Research Institute  www.defeatautismnow.com
• Parents of Autistic Children (POAC)  www.poac.net

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder:

• CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder)  www.chadd.org
• ADDA (Attention Deficit Disorder Association)  www.add.org  
• National Resource Center on AD/HD  www.help4adhd.org 

Down Syndrome :

• National Down Syndrome Society  www.ndss.org
• The Down Syndrome Social Network A place for friends  http://downsyndrome.com

Other Disabilities:

• American Foundation for the Blind  http://www.afb.org/
• Arc of New Jersey  http://www.arcnj.org/
• Asperger Syndrome Education Network (ASPEN®) www.aspennj.org
• International Dyslexia Association   www.interdys.org
• Spina Bifida Association of America  www.sbaa.org
• Tourette Syndrome Association  www.tsa-usa.org
• United Cerebral Palsy Association  www.ucp.org

SPAN Statewide Parent Advocacy Network   http://www.spannj.org/

Mental Health Resources:

• Mental Health Association in New Jersey  http://www.mhanj.org/

Glossary of Frequently Used Terms

• Case Manager  A school district employee who coordinates meetings with you and appropriate school staff members. The case manager also serves as your contact when you have questions regarding your child’s special education program and services.

• Child Study Team Evaluation  A way of collecting information about your child's special learning needs, strengths, and interests. An evaluation is used to help make decisions about whether your child is eligible for special education and related services. The evaluation will include administering individual tests, observing your child, a review of records, talking with you and your child. The evaluation may include the following: an educational assessment, health appraisal, psychological assessment, social assessment, a speech/language assessment, and any other pertinent medical evaluations.

• Individualized Education Program (IEP)  This is a written plan that details what the child will be taught and documents what will actually be provided to the child through special education and related services.

• Preschool Disabled  Children ages three to five, with an identified disabling condition and/or measurable developmental impairment, who require and would benefit from special education and related services.

• Related Services  They are services which children with educational disabilities require to benefit from their educational programs. Related services include the following: counseling the child, training the parents about the educational needs of their child, speech-language therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, transportation or recreation, as well as other appropriate services which the child needs to benefit from an education as required by their IEP.

• Special Education  Instruction and needed related services modified or designed, at no cost to parents/guardians, to meet individual needs of a child with disabilities, including instruction in classrooms, homes, hospitals, and other institutions.

New Jersey Department of Education Glossary of Acronyms and Terms