About SpEdConnecticut

SpEdConnecticut has been in existence for over 50 years and despite several name changes and office moves, our mission has remained constant – to increase awareness and understanding of children who learn differently and to secure appropriate educational services for this population in accordance with state and federal laws. SpEdConnecticut is a registered non-profit organization. We rely on trained volunteers to provide direct service to parents of children with a variety of special education needs primarily in Central Connecticut or within travelling distance of the capital. We maintain an office in Hartford to receive phone calls, provide initial information and support, conduct training, and maintain literature resources.

SpEdConnecticut Inc. is a non-profit organization, which, through the commitment of dedicated, trained volunteers, serves families of children with special needs.

We provide information, referrals, training and when required provide direct assistance to parents to help them advocate for their child’s needs.

We hold conferences on key topics of interest by nationally known experts in the field.

We are the only organization in the state to arrange testing of learning disabilities for adults to enable them to access education and work opportunities.

SpEdConnecticut History

1962
February 14

Our Beginning

a small group of parents and professionals met to discuss concerns about obtaining educational assistance for children who were not learning.
1964
February 14

The Association for Perceptually Handicapped Children was Incorporated

It became the state affiliate of the national association known by the same name. Ann Seigal and Doris Ann Hauptman were founding members of this organization and guided it in the direction of parent training and advocacy that exists today.
1967
February 14

The name of the organization changed to Connecticut Association for Children with Perceptual Learning Disabilities(CACPLD)

The state of Connecticut passed a major set of laws recognizing the special education needs of handicapped children, including those with specific learning disabilities. Then in 1975, Congress passed the Education for All Handicapped Children Act. In response, the organization began an informal Parent Assistance PA program, at no costs to participants, to help them understand the impact of these important laws.
1981
February 14

The name of the organization became the Association for Children with Learning Disabilities (ACLD of Connecticut Inc.)

The state organization began offering assistance to adults through information and referrals with 12 local chapters located throughout Connecticut.
1984
February 14

ACLD initiated a formal training program

It continues today, to help parents and professionals understand the complexities of state and federal legislation which mandate specialized education to qualified children with learning disabilities which prepare them for employment and independent living.
February 14

LDA of Connecticut

Following the lead of the national organization, ACLD of Connecticut changed names to Learning Disabilities Association of Connecticut Inc, LDA of Connecticut. Local chapters closed as information about learning disabilities and related disorders became readily available from other sources, particularly libraries, the internet and the Special Education Resource Center (SERC)
1994
February 14

The name of the Parent Assistance program changed to the Parent Advisor program

The Board adopted a sliding – scale fee for Parent Assistance services which include comprehensive record reviews, explanation of evaluations, guidance on the appropriate programs and services for children with special learning needs, familiarity with special education law and attendance with parents at school planning meetings. The name of the Parent Assistance program changed to the Parent Advisor program, to reflect the changing role that the PA provided to clients. In addition, an adult testing program was created to assist adults who may qualify under ADA ( Americans with disabilities Act) for necessary accommodations at college or work. The program matches up eligible adults with qualified evaluators at a reduced rate.
2011
November 29

SpEdConnecticut was formed

Our Board of Directors met to review the mission of our organization in light of the clients being served who fell into all IDEA categories rather than the limited scope of learning disabilities. At a general membership meeting on 29th November 2011, the organization voted to sever ties with LDA of America and adopted our new and expanded mission that reflects the broader need within the community.