by JoAnn Collins
You are not alone, many parents have gone before you and paved the way for you!
Not only are some special education personnel not honest with parents, but some keep important information from parents that they need to benefit their child's education! In a recent interview with Michael Shaugnessy from www.ednews.org I was asked this question: "Many teachers have told me that administrators have said to them: answer questions honestly and truthfully, but do not offer any other information." Is the witholding of information from parents ethical, honest or moral?" My answer: "I have experienced this many times myself, for my children and when I have advocated for other children. The sad thing is that this practice hurts children with disabilities, their education, and their future. How can you fight against information that you do not know? It is my experience that the withholding of information is sometimes done, so that parents do not ask for increased special education services. I think this withholding is unethical, dishonest and immoral!"
I have heard from many parents and educators that appreciate the honesty in Disability Deception! Take advantage today of not only truthful information, but information that you may not find any where else.
Testimonial from a parent who lives in California: "This book says what most special education lawyers and advocates will not."
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I received this E mail from a parent, about my new Redesigned Website:
"I was on your new Web site earlier today and love it!! Much nicer, more organized and very professional!!"
Disability Deception is for sale for $15.00 plus shipping from amazon.com which is 25% off list price! Get your copy now and learn how to assertively and persistently advocate for your child!
Buy Now
Contact Information: JoAnn Collins PO Box 89 Bradley Il. 60915
Phone--815-932-9263 Send E mail to JoAnn@disabilitydeception.com
I have been extremely fortunate to receive a lot of great feedback from parents about my book Disability Deception! Below are a few comments that I would like to share:
1. "I think that special education departments are like wild west towns in bad need of a sheriff!!" Loved this one, and added--honest sheriffs!
2. "I am excited about reading your book and am so impressed--inspired--strengthened by your encouraging brave spirit. . .speaking TRUTHS about the lies and deceptions of the school system's bureacratic bullying!" Loved this one too --especially the part about bureacratic bullying!
3. "I was surprised to learn of this book whose title openly acknowledges something that I deal with on a continual basis. I have long bemoaned the fact that there is so little information and a lack of published guidelines on how to deal with the lies and fraudelent schemes that I regularly encounter from our school district. . .I am grateful to JoAnn Collins for addressing this topic of deception and lies from unethical educators head on. Her book is a valuable resource for all parents who struggle in the pursuit of a meaningful education and a meaningful future for their children!"
I am humbled by all of the comments that I get, though I do not consider myself brave, just loudmouthed!!
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Disability Deception is on these Websites--New!
1. http://import.book.store.bg
2. www.goodreads.com
Thank you to these Websites for promoting Disability Deception!
Check out www.autismnews.com by Greg Wiatt!
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November 2, 2008 New E book Ready for Sale! E book is entitled: "Behavioral Basics; 6 Easy Steps to Improve a Child's School Behavior!
On the E book page of this Website you will find more information about the E book: Cost, Excerpts, Table of Contents, Benefits, Testimonials as well as a Buy Now button.
Be one of the first to help your child improve their school behavior, which will in turn improve their education!
Testimonials
New Testimonial as of November 2008: "I purchased Disability Deception, which is now my bible! It has been a wonder for me. When times are getting tough I reach out for your book and its like a big bear hug-Thank You x!"
Another New Testimonial as of end of November 2008: " Beware---Only For People Who Respect The Truth! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! I have had this book in my possession now for a couple of months, and it couldn't have come at a better time. Not having a lot of knowledge on how the education department, teachers, and schools in general conduct themselves at IEP meetings, this book has become my new bible! . . . It's easy to read, easy to understand and has a plethera of information that any parent cannot do without. . . I would recommend this book to everyone! I only wish that your book and yourself was more exposed. . . The most honest and useful book I have read in a long time." LZ Georgia
"This book may be the most practical guide ever compiled for parents who's child needs special education services.. The book is Disability Deception by Bradley's JoAnn Collins. Collins is the mother of two grown children with developmental disabilities who had to navigate through the public education system. Collins is a ferocious advocate for getting the proper services for children in need. . .
The knowledge behind the book was gathered the hard way. Collins is a veteran of hundreds of Individual Education Plan meetings or IEPs as they are called, are required for the placement of any child in special education . . . The book has a tremendous amount of positives:
1. There are sample letters that parents can write, demanding their rights from school districts . . .
2. There's a glossary of acronymbs. But if you've ever been befuddled by edu-talk babble, the book is a plus.
3. There's a great list of Web sites in the back. . .
Although not an attorney, Collins has some pretty clear advice on dealing with meetings. In fact its pretty good advice in a lot of situations. Get things in writing. Don't get rattled or lose your cool. Bring someone with you. Insist on your rights. Tape record the meetings. Come with organized notes. Read all the material.
- Phil Angelo from the newspaper the "Daily Journal"
New testimonial: "Thank you for teaching me about behavior and the importance of paying attention to what is happening with your child."
"It is by far the best book I have ever read during my seven-year collection of information process. So many of my questions were answered in this book. Wow!"
-Parent, Texas
"Disability Deception is superb, up-to-date, highly detailed, readily-understandable. Ms. Collins has written a handbook every special education parent needs to read. An experienced and effective advocate, the author gives a step-by-step walk through of all the necessary, highly complicated procedures for obtaining legitimate services. A call to arms, Disability Deception, is required reading. Don't hesitate, buy it."
-DH, from California
"Disability Deception, what a treasure. There are so many good resources and legal information. It reads in a very understandable narrative."
-Frustrated Special Ed Teacher
"I am so glad that someone finally wrote a book about lies associated with special education. Great"
-Parent from Illinois
"Ms. Collins isn't a lawyer but an extremely knowledgable person from the trenches. A must-read for any parent with a special-needs child."
-Attorney from Tennessee
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I love to get E mails about how you used Disability Deception to help your child get a specific service, or to ensure that your child gets a free appropriate public education (FAPE)!
Below are listed a few that I have received:
1. "I was able to get special education personnel to provide services for my son by using an advocacy tip that I learned in Disability Deception! Thank You JoAnn!"
2. "I went to my son's IEP meeting armed with information that I can use that I learned from Disability Deception!"
3. "Disability Deception has very good points that are extremely useful. It was helpful at our last IEP meeting to get services that my child needed."
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Free E newsletter available: The Special Education Spotlight which shines the spotlight on truths and deceptions in special education is put out on the First of every month. The E newsletter contains:
1. JoAnn's Corner which gives me the opportunity to discuss important special education issues that parents are experiencing.
2. Special Education Deception of the month which discusses a different deception every month and gives advocacy information on how to overcome the deception.
3. Disability and Special Education News that discusses up to date cases and news that parents of children with disabilities are interested in. Any new legislation related to special education also discussed.
4. Resources that will help you as a parent advocate for an appropriate education for your child with autism or another disability.
5. Disability Deception news and information about upcoming E book: Behavioral Basics; What Every Parent Needs to Know to Improve Their Child's School Behavior.
For more information about the Special Education Spotlight click the E newsletter page above.
To receive the newsletter: Send an E mail to: JoAnn@disabilitydeception.com.
This Website contains:
1, About the book page includes; An excerpt of Disability Deception, Testimonials, Chapter Titles, Order Form, Reviews from Amazon, Benefits of Disability Deception.
2. The Autism Page includes; Info about autism articles, Info about Autism Speaks, Resources, State Autism Profiles, ABC News story "The 10 myths about autism."
3. The Biography Page includes; Info about author, wonderful opportunities that I have had this past year and contact information.
4.The Free Special Education Article Page includes; Link to www.ezinearticles.com, Top 9 articles, Testimonials about the articles.
5. The Reading Page includes; The 5 stages of reading, info on the No Child Left Behind Parent guide and reading, and info about Dyslexia and multisensory teaching.
6. Special Education Spotlight Page includes; excerpt from free E newsletter, and other information.
