The High Cost
of Helping Your Child
By Peg Brody

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Almost three million U.S. children have diagnosed learning disabilities, according to the U.S. Department of Education Office of Special Education Programs.  As the number of children with special needs continues to grow, so does the cost of care. Parents can spend upwards of $20,000 per year on special education and therapy for a child with a medium range of special needs. Physical, occupational and speech therapies range from $100 to $200 per hour, and many special needs children require these services each week. Unfortunately, government programs are being cut or pared down, and insurance companies are adding restrictions and limitations. Often, families cannot receive the necessary funding because of their income level, or they are not aware of options available to help defray expenses. By investing some time and being persistent, however, you might be able to take advantage of some of the resources available to help offset these high costs.

Public Schools Offer Support
For a low-cost educational alternative, parents might want to consider public schools. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997 (IDEA, P.L. 105-17) mandates that state education agencies and local school districts provide free, appropriate special education services to children ages 3-21 who need them. Various therapies, including speech therapy, are considered to be special education. In order to receive services, parents should contact their home school or county board of education office of exceptional children to inquire about testing and the general procedure for receiving such services.

To assist local school systems in meeting the requirements of IDEA, the Georgia Learning Resources System (GLRS) provides training and resources to educators and parents of students with disabilities. This support includes a Child Find program to help children with disabilities find appropriate programs. In addition, the GLRS provides referrals and information services for students with disabilities as well as parent and teacher development and training.  There are 17 centers located throughout Georgia. Visit the GLRS Web site at www.GLRS.org for more information.

Private School Tuition: Sticker Shock for Parents
While public schools offer programs and services for students with learning challenges, some children have needs that require more specialized attention. And timing is crucial. Academic demands begin to escalate in third grade. By the time a child is in middle school, those demands become more complex.

Another consideration is how a child fits in socially. Robert Moore, president of Mill Springs Academy in Alpharetta, says moms aren’t crying necessarily about test scores, but because their children are targeted or don’t have friends. “Mill Springs works very hard to have an organized social curriculum so our non-traditional students can be successful in a dignified way.”

The price of private education can vary widely, and the cost of specialized schools can run as high as $15,000 to $20,000 annually. And, that doesn’t necessarily include any therapies. If money is an issue, what are your options?

Mill Springs Academy, The Schenck School and The Howard School offer specialized programs for students who have not realized their potential in traditional classroom situations. Representatives from these schools said that financial aid for tuition is offered to families based on need.  This could even include financial assistance for laptops.  Check with each private school for specific criteria.

The National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) has a Web site that outlines how to apply for financial aid at private schools. Visit www.nais.org/financialaid/sss for more information. Education loans also are available through a bank or credit union. Other loans to consider include home equity loans and home equity lines of credit. A potential benefit of a home equity loan or line of credit is that the interest might be tax deductible. A loan officer can offer more details. For information on other loan options, see the sidebar.

Scholarships may be awarded through individual schools; service organizations such as Lions, Kiwanis or Rotary; local businesses or religious groups. Check with the school for information on scholarships that have been awarded in the past, or visit some of the Web sites listed in the sidebar.

Many schools also offer various payment plans and schedules that allow you to stretch tuition payments over the course of the year. Mill Springs offers a ten-month, no-interest payment plan, and laptops are available through a lease program. Check with your child’s school to see what options are available to you.

Children attending private schools also are covered under IDEA if additional therapy such as speech therapy is needed.  Contact your local school system for more information.

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