7 Winter St, Salem, NH 03079

I am a parent of children with disabilities sharing our experience so other families can make informed decisions.In our experience, the district did not consistently implement the individualized supports necessary for our children to access their education safely and meaningfully. Expectations were often aligned with typical developmental pacing rather than adapted to each child’s documented needs, which limited access and negatively impacted both learning and confidence.We also experienced situations where serious safety and health concerns were not addressed with appropriate urgency, documentation, or follow-through. This included concerns related to mental health disclosures, medical needs during the school day, supervision, and access to required supports. In our view, these issues had a direct impact on our children’s well-being and their ability to safely access a free and appropriate public education.For families navigating special education in New Hampshire, I strongly encourage asking specific, detailed questions about how services are actually implemented day-to-day—not just what is written in an IEP. Ask how staff respond to safety concerns, how incidents are documented, how communication with parents is handled, and how support is adjusted in real time when a child is struggling.Based on our experience, there can be a significant gap between documented plans and consistent implementation. Understanding that gap early is critical to protecting your child’s access and safety.If something does not feel right for your child, trust that instinct and advocate immediately. Your child has a right to access their education in a safe environment, with appropriate supports consistently in place.I hope sharing this helps another family ask the right questions and advocate more clearly from the start.