Speech therapy doesn't only happen in a separate room. Our speech pathologist regularly works directly in classrooms, with individual students, small groups, or the whole class, through activities like reading a book or leading a craft. This article breaks down the real benefits of push-in services and why close collaboration with teachers makes such a difference.
Posted 10/23/26
An NPS placement isn't meant to be permanent. If your child's IEP team has started discussing a move back to public school, this guide walks through what that process looks like: from reviewing progress, to visiting the proposed campus, to your role in agreeing to the change every step of the way.
Posted 10/09/26
As your student moves through school, at some point the team will start talking about what "exit document" they're working toward. This guide breaks down the three paths: standard diploma, California's alternate diploma pathway, and Certificate of Completion, plus what it means for families at Del Sol specifically, since our program doesn't include a diploma-track high school option.
Posted 10/2/26
Halloween can be tricky for kids with sensory sensitivities or communication differences, but with some planning, it can still be a fun night. This guide covers ways to include your child, from costumes to communication cards to the Teal Pumpkin Project, plus practical things to think through before the big night.
Posted 9/25/26
This week, one of our classes turned the room into a pretend restaurant, with students taking turns as customers and employees. What looked like play was also practice in communication, math, and real-world independence. Read about the skills built through pretend play, from Happy Burger to the grocery store, doctor's office, and beyond.
Posted 8/18/26
The IEP process comes with a lot of terminology and even more decisions, but you're not just a participant in it, you're a required, equal member of the team. This guide walks through how the process works step by step and breaks down your rights as a parent under IDEA, including what to do if you disagree with the team.
Posted 8/25/26
Today our students planted seeds using a hydroponic garden, growing plants with just water and light instead of soil. Read about the six steps our class followed and what we're looking forward to watching grow next.
Posted 8/21/2026
If your IEP team has mentioned an NPS placement, it can feel like a big unknown. This guide breaks down what a nonpublic school actually is, why a student might be placed in one, how the process works, and how funding works
Posted 8/14/26
For eighteen-plus years, school has been the constant. There's a bell schedule, an IEP team, a case manager who knows your child's history, and a legal guarantee — under IDEA — that services will be provided. Then, sometime between age 18 and 22, that guarantee ends. What replaces it isn't automatic, and it isn't one thing — it's a patchwork of agencies, each with its own eligibility rules, waitlists, and paperwork.
Ever wondered what a Program Specialist actually does, or who to call about a behavior concern versus an academic one? This guide breaks down the key roles you'll encounter in your child's education — from general education staff like principals, teachers, and counselors, to specialized professionals like school psychologists, speech-language pathologists, and BCBAs. It also covers district-level special education roles (like Transition Specialists and Case Managers) and gives an inside look at how Del Sol School's own team — including our Director, Licensed Educational Psychologist, and Behavior Interventionists — supports students. Whether you're new to special education or just want clarity on who does what, this is your roadmap to the people behind your student's support team.
Regional Centers are the local hub connecting families to services for a child or adult with a developmental disability — but eligibility, what they actually cover, and how to get started aren't always clear. This guide breaks down who qualifies, what Regional Centers can help with, and the step-by-step process to access one.
"Group home" gets used as a catch-all term, but licensed residential facilities actually range from minimal to intensive support, and they're not the only path available. This guide explains the different service levels, how placement works through your Regional Center, and other residential options worth knowing about.
Turning 18 doesn't mean your family has to pursue conservatorship — it's one option among several, each with different trade-offs. This guide breaks down supported decision-making, power of attorney, and other alternatives, plus what limited conservatorship actually involves and when to start the process.