Quick guide to special education

If your child has a special need, it can be confusing knowing where to go and how to get help. Here are the basics on finding the right special education program or school.

by: The GreatSchools Editorial Team

Under the big umbrella of special education are many services (IDEA, 504 plan, IEP, LRE) that can help your special needs child. Here’s a quick guide on how to get these special education services.

For more in-depth information about special needs schools and programs:

Special needs programs and schools: a primer

Frequently used education terms: learning and attention programs

Special education: a practical primer

Special education FAQ

Special education evaluation: an overview

Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals: the basics

Understanding special education laws and rights

Finding schools for kids with LD

Busting some special education myths

About the author

The GreatSchools Editorial Team

GreatSchools.org is a national nonprofit with a mission to help every child obtain a high-quality education that values their unique abilities, identities, and aspirations. We believe in the power of research-backed, actionable information to empower parents, family members, and educators to help make this happen. For 25 years, the GreatSchools Editorial Team has been working to make the latest, most important, and most actionable research in education, learning, and child development accessible and actionable for parents through articles, videos, podcasts, hands-on learning resources, email and text messaging programs, and more. Our team consists of journalists, researchers, academics, former teachers and education leaders — most of whom are also dedicated parents and family members — who not only research, fact check, and write or produce this information, but who use it in our daily lives as well. We welcome your feedback at editorial@greatschools.org.