September 2026 Newsletter Back to School • Know Your Rights

Hello, my beautiful special needs community!

Happy September from SharonKingWorldWide!

School is officially back in session for many of our children across the United States. A new school year can bring excitement, new opportunities, new teachers, new friendships, and new beginnings but it can also bring questions, concerns, schedule changes, and challenges for our special needs families.

This month, I want every parent and caregiver to remember three things:

Stay informed. Stay involved. Stay encouraged.

You do not have to know everything overnight. Advocacy is a learning process. Ask questions, learn the system, document important communication, and continue educating yourself about the resources available to your child.

🇺 A SPECIAL MESSAGE TO FAMILIES WORLDWIDE

SharonKingWorldWide proudly supports special needs families worldwide

Because special education procedures, after-school programs, tutoring, sports, recreation programs, disability services, and community resources can vary by state, county, city, and school district, please research the resources available specifically where you live.

If we highlight a program located in California or another particular state, please don’t stop reading because you live somewhere else. Use that information as a starting point to locate a similar resource in your own community.

Visit your:

• State Department of Education

• Local school district

• City and county government websites

• Parks & Recreation Department

• Public library

• Parent Training and Information Center

• Disability and family resource organizations

• Community centers

• Local colleges and universities

Ask about free or low-cost programs, scholarships, tutoring, adaptive recreation, youth sports, mentoring, transportation assistance, after-school programs, and family support.

Resources are available but sometimes we have to go looking for them.

💙 SEPTEMBER AWARENESS SPOTLIGHT

September gives us several opportunities to educate, support, and uplift families.

🦻 D/deaf Awareness Month

September is recognized as D/deaf Awareness Month in many communities.

It is an opportunity to recognize Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind individuals and to increase awareness about communication access, inclusion, accessibility, and Deaf culture.

Parents of children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing should ask about the services and accommodations available to their child, including appropriate communication support, assistive technology, interpreters, educational services, and accessibility.

Every child deserves meaningful access to their education and community.

🎗️ Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

September is also Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

We honor the strength of children and families affected by childhood cancer.

Some children are balancing school with treatments, hospital stays, doctor’s appointments, recovery, therapies, and other medical needs. Families should communicate with their child’s school about educational support that may be available when a medical condition affects attendance or access to education.

To every family walking this journey: we see you, we honor you, and we stand with you.

💜 Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

September is also Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.

Mental and emotional well being matters.

Talk with your children. Listen to them. Pay attention to significant changes in behavior, mood, sleep, eating, friendships, school performance, or statements of hopelessness.

If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or a mental health crisis in the United States, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

If there is an immediate life threatening emergency, call 911.

⚖️ PARENTS: KNOW YOUR SPECIAL EDUCATION RIGHTS

One of the most important things you can do for your child is understand your parental rights.

Under federal special education law, parents are important participants in the special education process.

If your child has an Individualized Education Program (IEP), don’t be afraid to participate, ask questions, express concerns, and request explanations.

Depending on the circumstances and applicable law, parental rights may include the right to:

• Participate in IEP meetings and educational decision-making

• Review your child’s educational records

• Receive appropriate notice regarding certain proposed or refused actions

• Provide or refuse consent when parental consent is legally required

• Request evaluations

• Ask questions about assessments

• Request an Independent Educational Evaluation under applicable circumstances

• Raise concerns regarding services, placement, accommodations, goals, or educational progress

• Access dispute-resolution procedures when disagreements cannot be resolved

Parents are members of the IEP team. Your input matters.

If someone uses terminology or an acronym you don’t understand, ask:

“Can you please explain what that means?”

You should never feel embarrassed for asking questions about your child’s education.

🏫 KNOW YOUR SCHOOL AND KNOW YOUR SCHOOL DISTRICT

Parents, this is extremely important.

Many parents know their child’s teacher, case manager, principal, counselor, psychologist, or assistant principal but don’t know who is responsible for special education at the school district level.

Learn both.

Sometimes there can be a disconnect between communication at an individual school and communication at the district level.

Visit your school district’s website and become familiar with departments such as:

• Special Education

• Student Services

• Attendance

• Transportation

• Superintendent’s Office

• Special Education Administration

• Family/Parent Services

• Complaint or grievance procedures

• Board of Education/School Board

• Disability/accessibility services

Save important telephone numbers and email addresses.

If an important issue involving your child is not being resolved at the school level, learn the appropriate district level process for raising your concern.

Knowing who to contact before there is a problem can make advocacy much easier.

📂 SEPTEMBER PARENT ADVOCACY CHECKLIST

September is an excellent month to get organized.

Create a physical or electronic folder for your child’s educational information.

Consider keeping copies of:

• Current IEP or 504 Plan

• Evaluations and assessments

• Progress reports and report cards

• Medical documentation relevant to school

• Attendance records

• Behavior or daily logs, if applicable

• Accommodation information

• Meeting notices

• Prior Written Notices

• Transportation information

• Important emails

• Documents you signed

• Tutoring/intervention information

Keep your paper trail.

After an important telephone conversation, consider sending a brief follow-up email:

“Thank you for speaking with me today. I am following up to confirm my understanding of our conversation.”

Communication doesn’t have to be confrontational to be documented.

✏️ DOES YOUR CHILD NEED TUTORING?

Please don’t wait until your child receives a failing report card before asking whether additional academic support is needed.

Start with your child’s teacher.

Ask:

What areas is my child struggling with?

What interventions are currently being provided?

Does the school offer tutoring before or after school?

Is homework assistance available?

Does the school district offer academic intervention programs?

How will we know whether the intervention is helping?

Then expand your search into the community.

Look for tutoring and homework assistance through:

• Public libraries

• Boys & Girls Clubs

• YMCA/YWCA programs

• Community centers

• Faith based organizations

• Local colleges and universities

• Parks & Recreation programs

• Nonprofit organizations

• School district family resource centers

Some programs may be free or low-cost, and some organizations may offer scholarships or reduced fees.

🏈⚽🏀 GET OUR CHILDREN INVOLVED!

Our children deserve opportunities outside the classroom too.

Sports and extracurricular activities can help children develop confidence, friendships, communication, independence, discipline, teamwork, physical fitness, and a sense of belonging.

Check your city or county Parks & Recreation Department for programs such as:

• Football or flag football

• Basketball

• Soccer

• Baseball/softball

• Swimming

• Track

• Tennis

• Volleyball

• Dance

• Cheerleading

• Martial arts

• Art and music

• Adaptive sports

• Inclusive recreation

If your child has a disability or requires additional support, ask:

“Do you offer adaptive or inclusive programs?”

“What accommodations are available?”

“Do you provide scholarships or financial assistance?”

“What programs are available for my child’s age group?”

Don’t assume your child cannot participate.

Ask first. Explore the possibilities. Give your child the opportunity to try.

🌟 SPECIAL NEEDS DOES NOT MEAN SITTING ON THE SIDELINES

Sometimes our children need additional instruction.

Sometimes they need more time.

Sometimes they need accommodations.

Sometimes they need patient coaching.

Sometimes they simply need someone willing to recognize their abilities before focusing on their disabilities.

Whether it is sports, 

academics, music, art, technology, dance, leadership, or another interest give our children opportunities to discover what they love.

A diagnosis does not determine a child’s entire future.

🌎 NATIONAL RESOURCE CORNER

Here are several starting points for families throughout the United States:

U.S. Department of Education

Learn about federal education programs, 

special education, disability protections, and educational resources.

Website: ed.gov

IDEA — Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

Families can learn more about the federal special education law and resources related to IDEA.

Website: sites.ed.gov/idea

Parent Training and Information Centers

Every state has federally funded Parent Training and Information resources serving families of children with disabilities.

These organizations can help parents better understand special education, IEPs, evaluations, parental rights, and available resources.

Search for:

“Parent Training and Information Center + your state.”

211

In many communities throughout the United States, families can dial 211 or visit 211.org to search for local services.

Depending on your location, resources may include:

• Food assistance

• Housing assistance

• Youth programs

• Mental health resources

• Family support

• Utility assistance

• Community programs

• Disability resources

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Call or text 988 for crisis support in the United States.

Your State Department of Education

Search:

“Department of Education + your state + special education.”

Learn who oversees special education in your state and become familiar with its parent resources and complaint procedures.

Your City or County Parks & Recreation Department

Search:

“Parks and Recreation + your city or county.”

Look for youth sports, adaptive sports, inclusive recreation, after school programs, camps, classes, scholarships, and family activities.

📚 FIVE THINGS TO DO THIS SEPTEMBER

1. Read your child’s IEP or 504 Plan.

Don’t just sign paperwork. Read it and ask questions about anything you don’t understand.

2. Introduce yourself to your child’s teachers.

Build communication before a problem occurs.

3. Learn your school district.

Know who oversees Special Education, Student Services, Attendance, Transportation, and other departments your child may need.

4. Find one activity your child enjoys.

Tutoring, sports, art, music, dance, technology, mentoring give them an opportunity to explore.

5. Talk to your child.

Ask one simple question:

“How is school really going?”

And then listen.

❤️ PARENTS, PLEASE GIVE YOURSELF GRACE

Children do not come with instruction manuals.

Raising a child with special needs can mean becoming an advocate, researcher, scheduler, transportation coordinator, cheerleader, organizer, teacher, protector, and problem-solver sometimes all in the same day.

You are not expected to know everything.

Learn as you go.

Ask questions.

Request information.

Celebrate progress.

Take care of yourself too.

And remember one of the most important lessons in parenting:

When we know better, we can do better and when we know more, we can advocate more effectively.

💙 A MESSAGE FROM SHARONKINGWORLDWIDE

To my beautiful special needs community worldwide:

I see you. I respect you. I appreciate you. And I am proud of you.

This September, continue showing up.

Continue asking questions.

Continue educating yourself.

Continue documenting.

Continue encouraging your children.

Continue celebrating their victories even the victories that other people may consider small.

And most importantly, never allow a diagnosis, disability, IEP, 504 Plan, test score, behavioral challenge, or someone else’s opinion to determine the size of your child’s dreams.

Every child deserves to be seen.

Every child deserves to be heard.

Every child deserves an opportunity.

Every parent deserves access to information and resources.

From California to New York, Texas to Florida, Worldwide and every community in between, SharonKingWorldWide is committed to empowering, educating, encouraging, and connecting special needs families with information that can help them advocate for their children.

Have a beautiful, productive, safe, and blessed September!

With love , gratitude, appreciation and advocacy,

Sharon Mae King

Founder & CEO

SharonKingWorldWide

Parent Advocate | Special Needs Community Advocate

SharonKingWorldWide Reminder

Resources, programs, eligibility requirements, special education procedures, and services can vary by state, county, city, and school district. Please contact the appropriate agencies and organizations in your own state and local community for information specific to your child and family.

SharonKingWorldWide provides information and resources for educational purposes. This information is not legal, medical, or mental health advice.