Our Written Materials
MCA Articles, Brochures, Power Points & Publications
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PowerPoint
PowerPoint Presentations
The Good, The Bad and The Ugly. The Fire is Out of Control.
Presented by Matt Cohen, 8/20/2025
Federal Changes: The Fire is Out of Control - What's Happening? What's Threatened? What Difference Will It Make? What You Can Do!
Presented by Matt Cohen , 4/17/2025
Transition Planning: Undiscovered Treasures, Missed Opportunities
Presented by Matt Cohen, 1/6/2025
Disability Rights: What You Can Do Now, to Prepare for the Future
Presented by Matt Cohen, 12/10/2024
Caught in the Middle: The Legal, Ethical and Practical Issues of the Parent, School, and District Relationship
Presented by Matt Cohen, 11/14/2024
Transition Planning
Presented by Matt Cohen, 1/25/2024
IDEA vs. 504
Presented by Matt Cohen, 9/29/2023
“Post”-COVID Special Education Considerations
Presented by Matt Cohen and Anna Eisner Seder, 10/19/2022
IEP Workshop Part I: Understanding Your Rights and Recognizing Red Flags
Presented by Elizabeth Hooper and William Hrabe, 9/28/2022
Supporting a Student with a Disability in Extracurricular Activities
Presented by Jill Calian, 9/26/2022
Addressing Challenging Behavior: Legal Rights and Responsibilities- Strategies for Building a Behavioral Safety Net hosted by Star Net
Presented by Matt Cohen,
9/15/2022
Advocating for the Student with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Presented by Elizabeth Hooper,
9/14/2022
Advocating for the Student with ADHD
Presented by Matt Cohen & Anna Eisner Seder,
8/17/2022
Remote Learning and Mental Health - The Fight for Survival
Presented by Matt Cohen,
11/02/2021
IEP Basics Parent Training hosted by Blue Bird Day
Presented by Matt Cohen,
11/18/2021
Masks and Returning to In-Person Schooling
Presented by Matt Cohen,
10/19/2021
IEPs vs. 504 Plans vs. MTSS
Presented by Matt Cohen,
8/24/2021
Special Education Law: IEPs and 504 Plans
Presented by Matt Cohen and Elizabeth Hooper, 7/29/2021
Compensatory Education vs. Compensatory Services
Presented by Matt Cohen
7/20/2021
Mental Health and Confidentiality-Legal, Ethical and Practical Concerns
Presented by Matt Cohen,
7/09/2021
Common Myths and Misrepresentations
Presented by Matt Cohen
6/08/2021
Twice Exceptional Students
Presented by Matt Cohen, Elizabeth Hooper and Irene Gottlieb,
6/01/2021
Transition Planning
Presented by Matt Cohen 04/21/2021
The Right to FAPE and Transition Services During and After the Pandemic
Presented by Matt Cohen,
4/07/2021
Talk to the Advocate: Practical suggestions for meeting your child’s special education needs at home
Presented by Elizabeth Hooper 10/20/2020
Remote Learning Rights
Presented by Matt Cohen 9/8/2020
Special Education Overview: What Family Law Lawyers Need to Know About Special Education
Presented by Matt Cohen 8/26/2020
Parents & Students Rights During School Closings
Presented by Matt Cohen 7/30/2020
Adoption/Trauma Issues and Special Education
Presented by Matt Cohen and Nina Hennessy
7/28/2020
Higher Education Accommodations
Presented by Matt Cohen & Kim Milburn 7/21/2020
Least Restrictive Environment
Presented by Matt Cohen
7/7/2020
Report Writing
Presented by Matt Cohen
6/25/2020
FAPE: Legal and Strategic Issues for Obtaining Appropriate Transition Services for Adolescents Young Adults with Disabilities During COVID19 Distance Learning
Presented by Matt Cohen
5/13/2020
Special Education 101 – What Parents Need to Know
Presented by Matt Cohen
4/21/20
Rights of Children with Disabilities While Schools are Closed & Strategies for Advocating for Them
Presented by Matt Cohen 4/14/2020
Independent Evaluations:The Role and Power of_Independent Evaluations
Presented by Matt Cohen, Brad Dembs and Elizabeth Hooper 3/10/2020
Discipline and Behavior Management
Presented by Matt Cohen 8/29/2017
Brochures
Brochures
Gifted vs. Twice Exceptional
Obtaining an IEE
Classroom Observation
Tips for Obtaining Appropriate Autism Services
Tips for Writing IEPs and 504 Plans
Tips for Obtaining Accommodations for the ACT, SAT and Other Placement Tests
Higher Education & College Accommodations
Information
Articles, Forms & Information
Keep Track of What Your Child is Doing and Getting
Collecting Data on Your Child
Frequency Chart
Use of Strategies Tracking Sheet
Remote Learning Tips for Parents of Special Needs Students
Guidance for Parents on Education Rights During School Closure Tips
ADDititude - Your Child’s Legal Right to Learn Without Bullying
Matt Cohen, J.D., interviewed 02/17/2022
Rights of Students with Disabilities in Post-Secondary Education: Recent Developments
By: Will Hrabe, J.D. and Matt Cohen, J.D. 10/4/2022
504 Plans vs. ADA vs. IDEA chart
By: Matt Cohen, J.D. 09/26/2022
Why It Is Important to Have a Democratic Congress and What You Can Do about It
By: Matt Cohen, J.D. 09/12/2022
Illinois and Chicago Public Schools (CPS) Policies on Absenteeism and Truancy
By: Nina Hennessy, J.D. 07/26/2022
ISBE Resolves State Compliance Complaint, Finding Fault with CPS’s Home Hospital Program
By: Jill Calian, J.D. 06/05/2022
FORM: Keep Track of What Your Child is Doing and Getting
FORM: Collecting Data on Your Child
FORM LETTERS: For Parents to Address Remote Learning Issues
Special Education Law: A General Overview
By: Nina Hennessy, J.D. May/June 2021
Ups for Downs Newsletter Article
By: Brads Dembs, J.D., published on March 12th, 2021/ in the Winter/Spring 2021 publication
504 Plans vs. ADA vs. IDEA chart
By: Matt Cohen, J.D. 04/01/2016
***VIEW 09/26/2022 FOR UPDATED VERSION
IDEA: Myths, Legends and Strategies for Counteracting Them
By: Matt Cohen, J.D., March 2016
Did You Survive Your Annual Review/IEP Meeting?
By: Matt Cohen, J.D., 2012
Ligas Settlement: Changing House Opportunities for People with Disabilities
By: Matt Cohen, J.D. and Jen Runge, J.D. , 2012
Response to Intervention: Dream or Nightmare?
By: Matt Cohen, J.D. 8/15/2012
Left Behind, Left Out or Kicked Out: Strategies for Protecting Children’s Rights in School
By: Matt Cohen, J.D. 6/18/2012
The Second Semester Senior Surprise: Is Your Kid with a Disability Really Ready to Graduate?
By: Matt Cohen, J.D. 4/19/2012
Acronymns Commonly Used in Special Education
By: Matt Cohen and Associates
10 Common Myths that Some Schools Purvey
By: Matt Cohen, J.D. , Fall 2011
Beware the IQ Score
By: Matt Cohen, J.D., 2011