Autism in Special Education: Legal disputes involving students with autism

Hope N. Kirsch, M.A. (Ed.)

Kirsch-Goodwin & Kirsch PLLC

Hope Kirsch is a partner with the education law firm of Kirsch-Goodwin & Kirsch, PLLC, in Scottsdale, Arizona, founded in 2006.

Lori Kirsch-Goodwin

Kirsch-Goodwin & Kirsch PLLC

Lori Kirsch-Goodwin is a founder and partner with the firm Kirsch-Goodwin & Kirsch, PLLC, in Scottsdale, Arizona.

On-Demand: October 28, 2021

$195.00 2 hour CLE

MCLE Credit Information:

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Program Summary

This course, presented by two nationally recognized special education attorneys, will provide a comprehensive overview of the different laws students on the autism spectrum, including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504, and the most up-to-date case law involving students with autism.

The course is for school attorneys, parent attorneys, Administrative Law Judges and Hearing Officers, as well as attorneys who practice in the areas of disability law, criminal defense and family law attorneys, judges presiding over disputes involving an individual with autism, and educators, school governing board members, and attorneys in other practice areas who have an interest in special education law.

This course will guide you through special education laws impacting students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Our experienced faculty will begin with a discussion of the different medical and educational definitions of autism, and then walk you through various alternative dispute mechanisms available for the issues that arise, including identification, evaluation placement, 504s and IEPs, FBAs and BIPs, discipline, and bullying and harassment. Learn how to handle special education legal issues for this unique population with confidence.

Key topics to be discussed:

What is autism?
Laws impacting students with autism
Medical diagnosis of autism vs. educational eligibility
Creating a meaningful IEP for students with autism in light of the case of Endrew F and its progeny
Bullying and harassment involving students with autism
Avenues of dispute resolution

Date / Time: May 26, 2022

2:00 pm – 4:10 pm Eastern
1:00 pm – 3:10 pm Central
12:00 pm – 2:10 pm Mountain
11:00 am – 1:10 pm Pacific

Choose a format:

Live Video Broadcast/Re-Broadcast: Watch Program "live" in real-time, must sign-in and watch program on date and time set above. May ask questions during presentation via chat box. Qualifies for "live" CLE credit.

On-Demand Video: Access CLE 24/7 via on-demand library and watch program anytime. Qualifies for self-study CLE credit. On-demand versions are made available 5 business days after the original recording date and are viewable for up to one year.

Closed-captioning available

Speakers

Hope N. Kirsch, M.A. (Ed.), Esq. | Kirsch-Goodwin & Kirsch PLLC

Hope Kirsch is a partner with the education law firm of Kirsch-Goodwin & Kirsch, PLLC, in Scottsdale, Arizona, founded in 2006. She is a licensed special education teacher and 25+ year attorney. She practices special education law with her sister, Lori Kirsch-Goodwin, at Kirsch-Goodwin & Kirsch, PLLC, representing K-12 and higher education students throughout Arizona in school-related matters including advocacy, Due Process, 504s, OCR, discipline, and bullying.

Hope was a special education teacher and coordinator in the New York City public schools for 18 years where she worked with the most challenging populations and supervised and trained teachers in teaching strategies, curriculum development, writing IEPs, and behavior management. She has a Bachelor’s degree in special education from Boston University, a Master’s degree in special education from NYU, 30+ post-graduate credits in educational supervision and administration, and her law degree from Brooklyn Law School. She is admitted to the state and federal district courts in New York, New Jersey, Arizona, and the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. She is AV® Preeminent rated and serves as a Judge Pro Tem for the Superior Court of Arizona.

Lori Kirsch-Goodwin, Esq. | Kirsch-Goodwin & Kirsch PLLC

Lori Kirsch-Goodwin is a founder and partner with the firm Kirsch-Goodwin & Kirsch, PLLC, in Scottsdale, Arizona. She is a 30+ year litigation attorney whose practice is devoted to education and special education matters on behalf of students and their families. Lori has a Bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University and her law degree from Bridgeport (now Quinnipiac) University.

Lori began advocating for students with disabilities when one of her twin sons, now 24 years old, was found in need of special education in Kindergarten. Lori is regularly involved in eligibility and IEP meetings, MDRs, disciplinary due process hearings, OCR, IDEA Due Process, and DDD appeals. She is admitted to practice in the state and federal courts in New York, New Jersey, Arizona, and the 9th Circuit, and is AV-rated. Lori prevailed in a case before the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals that involved appropriateness of a school’s selection of location of a school for a student on the spectrum. She is an AV® Preeminent rated attorney.

Agenda

I. What is autism? | 2:00-2:20
II. Laws impacting students with autism | 2:20-2:40
III. Medical diagnosis of autism vs. educational eligibility | 2:40-3:00

IV. Break | 3:00-3:10

V. Creating a meaningful IEP for students with autism in light of the case of Endrew F and its progeny | 3:10-3:30
VI. Bullying and harassment involving students with autism | 3:30-3:50
VII. Avenues of dispute resolution | 3:50-4:10