While it's high season for pre-K and Kindergarten applications, families of children with special needs are part of the admissions process, too, and want information on which schools will best serve their children. Particularly for families new to the city's schools, identifying solid schools with the right supports can be harder than the search for the proverbial needle in a haystack. To help ease the transition into school, the DOE is hosting kindergarten information fairs for families of kids with physical and learning disabilities. Fairs are scheduled during school hours and in the evenings, so working and at-home parents have ample opportunity to learn about the options the city offers their children.

Fairs continue through December 15th and are organized by school district. Click here for fair information. Take a look, too at this overview of DOE special education services, and their PowerPoint introduction to the IEP, or Individualized Education Program,evaluation process. One point highlighted in the IEP 'deck' is well worth repeating: Kids are more alike than they are different, no matter their challenges. And, one might add, families are more alike, too, no matter what services, supports, or special-education programs they seek.