Author Archives: Micki Moran

About Micki Moran

Micki Moran is the founding partner of The Child and Family Law Center, Ltd. She dedicates her practice to providing legal assistance to children and families who are in need of representation in the areas of special education, disability law, juvenile and young adult criminal law, abuse and neglect, guardianship, and mental health issues. Micki's practice is founded on the principle that children and their families require and deserve excellent legal representation with a multidisciplinary approach that works with multiple systems of care and creates communities that support and improve the quality of all peoples' lives.

Restraint and Seclusion in Schools-Guest post by Attorney Sharon Falen of The Child & Family Law Center

Posted on June 14, 2016 by Micki Moran

Illinois has been recognized as one of the model states in school discipline reform, but there is much to know about this issue. This article offers a brief summary of the two major means of controlling behavior in the classroom: … Continue reading →

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Autism Reflections – A Twenty Year Retrospective

Posted on March 30, 2016 by Micki Moran

Twenty-one years ago, I started this practice and the next phase of my life. In the previous decades, it was estimated that 4-5 children in 10,000 suffered from an autism spectrum disorder. My first due process case and appeal involved … Continue reading →

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New Laws that Impact Special Education

Posted on March 23, 2016 by Micki Moran

Specific Learning Disability: Dyslexia. This section defines dyslexia and provides that it is one of the several disorders included as a specific learning disability. This statute requires that  students suspected of having dyslexia or who have been identified as dyslexic … Continue reading →

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Progress: How much is enough?

Posted on January 12, 2016 by Micki Moran

Parents are often surprised to learn that the school district’s obligation to a student with a disability is not to maximize the student’s potential. This is one of the central questions in most cases in our offices. What parent would … Continue reading →

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Every Student Succeeds Act

Posted on January 7, 2016 by Micki Moran

In early December of 2015, Congress, in a bi-partisan vote, replaced the No Child Left Behind Act with the new law, Every Child Succeeds Act (“ESSA”) which is the latest reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. The … Continue reading →

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Illinois School Discipline Reform Law: Effective September, 2016

Posted on October 28, 2015 by Micki Moran

Discipline Reform:   Governor Rauner signed into law dramatic reforms in school discipline. The intent of the law is to use suspensions and expulsions as a last resort. Illinois has one of the widest disparities between black and white students … Continue reading →

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Special Education: Tips for a Good Start to the School Year

Posted on September 29, 2015 by Micki Moran

Schedule a meeting within 30 days of the start of school to check in with the team. (Brief-less than one hour if things seem to be on track) Prepare a proposed Agenda prior to the meeting and circulate it to … Continue reading →

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Summer

Posted on June 25, 2015 by Micki Moran

For many families, summer is the time to double up on therapies and “catch-up” in preparation for the next school year. I am certainly reluctant to add to the parent “to-do” list, however, as a special  needs attorney, I suggest … Continue reading →

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Advocating for your Child with Autism: Perspectives from 20 Years of Practice

Posted on April 29, 2015 by Micki Moran

This year will mark my 20th year of practice in the special education area. The preschool age students I represented years ago, to secure evidence based interventions, are now young adults entering the adult disability system. The numbers continue to … Continue reading →

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IEP Warrior

Posted on May 7, 2014 by Micki Moran

Getting What You Want: Strategies that Work I have been an attorney for 30 years and have been a special education attorney for 18 years. While my goal is to work to resolve issues without going to court or a … Continue reading →

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