EDUCATION & SCHOOL SUPPORT

Education and School Resources

Information and tools to help families understand early intervention (IFSP), school services (IEP), your child's rights, and how to work effectively with schools to support your child's learning and development.

Early Intervention & IFSP

Resources to help you understand early intervention services and the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) process for children from birth to age 3.

What is Early Intervention?

Learn what early intervention is, how the process begins, and how services can support children from birth to age 3 and their families.

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What is Part C &

What is an IFSP?

Learn about IDEA Part C, what an IFSP includes, who is on the IFSP team, and how services are determined.

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Early Intervention Services (Birth to 3)

Learn about the types of services that may be included in an IFSP, how servies fit into everyday routines, and the role of your service coordinator.

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What Happens When My Child Turns Three

Understand the transition from early intervention (Part C) to preschool services (Part B) and what to expect.

Learn More

Want to dig deeper? Review the official federal requirements for IFSPs under IDEA Part C. Read the Regulations

Working with Your School Team

Tips and tools to help you build strong partnerships and advocate effectively for your child.

Sample Communication Log

A sample tool for sharing information between home and school when your child may not yet be able to tell you what happened during their day.

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PACER Center

Find resources, workshops, publications, and individual assistance to help families make decisions about education and other services. Includes bullying prevention resources.

Explore PACER

One Page
Student Profile

Help teachers, therapists, and other school team members get to know your child by sharing their strengths, challenges, and important information.

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Inclusion & Supports

Resources to help your child access inclusive environments and the right supports to thrive.

NDSS Printable Education Resources

Back-to-school checklists, learning profiles, inclusion checklists, homeschooling information, and best practices for your child's education team.

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One Page
Student
Profile *

A customizable template to share your child's strengths, challenges, vision, and otherimportant information with their team.

View Template

How to Make
a One Page
Student Profile *

Step-by-step guidance for creating a one-page proflie to introduce your child to their education team.

View Guide

Inclusive Educational Practices

This 2025 guidance addresses inclusive educational practices under IDEA Part B and ESEA, including meaningful access to general education curriculum and inclusive learning environments.

Learn More

* Thank you to Tiffany Stafford for creating and sharing the One Page Student Profile template and accompanying resource.

Education Law & Rights

Understand the laws that protect your child's right to an appropriate education and how they apply.

Disability Law in Education Overview

Watch this DSDN webinar with the National Down Syndrome Congress Policy Team to learn about IDEA, ADA, Section 504, ESSA, and more.

Watch Webinar

Wrightslaw

Explore information about special education law and advocacy for children with disabilities, including resources for parents, advocates, educators, and attorneys.

Explore Wrightslaw

Dear Colleague Letter on Preschool LRE

Guidance explaining how Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) requirements apply to preschool children with disabilities.

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Dear Collegue Letter on
Inclusive Education

Guidance affirming the importance of inclusive education and supporting students with disabilities in learning alongside their peers with appropriate individualized supports.

View Letter

Looking for information specific to your state?

IEPs, IFSPs, and other education services can vary by state. Connecting with your local Down syndrome organization can be a helpful way to find information and resources specific to where you live.

Fill out our connection form so we can introduce you to the closest local organization near you.

Early Intervention & IFSP

Resources to help you understand early intervention services and the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) process for children from birth to age 3.

IEP Terms
to Know

Get familiar withcommon terms andlanguage you may hear while navigating the IEP process.

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Game Plan for

New Parents

A starting point for parents who are beginning the Individualized Education Program (IEP) journey.

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Glossary of Special Education & Legal Terms

A comprehensive glossary of special education terms, including LRE, FAPE, and more.

View Glossary

Understanding
IFSPs and IEPs

A webinar from NDSS explaining the differences between IFSPs and IEPs and what families can expect when transitioning from early intervention to the school system.

View Webinar

These curated resources are provided as a convenience because we know there is a lot of information out there and it’s hard to find and process all of it. They do not constitute an endorsement or an approval by DSDN of any of the products, services, or opinions of the corporation, organization, or individual. Although we always do our best to share accurate and up-to-date resources with you, DSDN bears no responsibility for the accuracy, legality, or content of the external site or for that of the subsequent links. Please contact the external site for answers to questions regarding its content.

School & Academic-Related Support Groups

We offer several school & academic related parent-connection groups in the DSDN Rockin' Parent Community App:

Education and School Resources

Early Intervention & IFSP

What is Early Intervention?

What is Part C &

What is an IFSP?

Early Intervention Services (Birth to 3)

What Happens When My Child Turns Three

​​​School & Academic-Related Support Groups​​

Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network

School & Academic-Related Support Groups