The following are criteria that must be met for a child to be eligible for special education and
related services:

  • The child is between the ages of 3 and 21 
  • The child must have at least one of the following disabilities under the IDEA
    • Autism 
    • Deaf-Blindness
    • Developmental delay (3-5 year-olds in Connecticut)
    • Emotional Disturbance
    • Hearing Impairment
    • Intellectual Disability
    • Multiple Disabilities
    • Orthopedic Impairment
    • Other Health Impairment (OHI)
    • OHI/ADD/ADHD
    • Specific Learning Disability
    • Specific Learning Disability/Dyslexia
    • Speech or Language Impairment
    • Traumatic Brain Injury 
    • Vision Impairment
  • The child’s educational performance is negatively impacted by the disability resulting in the need for specialized instruction

In addition to this criteria, an initial evaluation is conducted to determine whether or not the child
has a disability and to measure their current academic and functional performance. These
evaluations are reviewed by the child’s Planning and Placement Team (PPT) who then
discusses the child’s needs and special education eligibility. Once a child is found eligible for
special education services, the PPT will begin the process of creating an Individualized
Education Program (IEP) tailored to address their unique needs.

Maya Murphy P.C. has proudly been included in the 2024 Edition of Best Law Firms®, ranked among the top firms in the nation. In addition, Managing Partner Joseph C. Maya has been selected to The Best Lawyers in America® 2024 for his work in Employment Law and Education Law in Connecticut. Recognition in Best Lawyers® is awarded to firms and attorneys who demonstrate excellence in the industry and is widely regarded by both clients and legal professionals as a significant honor.

Our firm in Westport, Connecticut serves clients with legal assistance all over the state, including the towns of Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Bethany, Bethel, Branford, Bridgeport, Brookfield, Cheshire, Danbury, Darien, Derby, East Haven, Easton, Fairfield, Greenwich, Guilford, Hamden, Madison, Meriden, Middlebury, Milford, Monroe, Naugatuck, New Canaan, New Fairfield, New Haven, Newton, North Branford, North Haven, Norwalk, Orange, Oxford, Prospect, Redding, Ridgefield, Seymour, Shelton, Sherman, Southbury, Stamford, Stratford, Trumbull, Wallingford, Waterbury, West Haven, Weston, Westport, Wilton, and Woodbridge. In addition to assisting clients in Connecticut, our firm handles education law matters in New York as well.

If you have any questions or would like to speak to an attorney about a legal matter, please contact Joseph C. Maya and the other experienced attorneys at Maya Murphy, P.C. at (203) 221-3100 or JMaya@Mayalaw.com to schedule a free initial consultation today.