Growing as a Parent-Advocate

As I serve as a special needs advocate, I have a few "go to" strategies in helping families advocate for their child's education. Before looking at these strategies, there are a few important things to remember. The best way I know to become on advocate is by getting your feet wet by trying. It takes a time to understand the ins and outs of the advocating process. There is so much to learn. Special education terminology takes effort to learn. The IEP process must be understood before a parent can advocate well.

 

Here are a few tips in developing as a parent advocate

1. Spend time with a seasoned advocate. This could be a professional or a parent who has been doing this for years. This enables a "newbie" to be mentored by someone who has lots of experience.
2. Take an advocate (paid or a seasoned parent) to IEP meetings. This will help you to be taken very seriously by the professionals in the room. This advocate will teach you many things during the meeting as well as someone to evaluate the meeting with you afterwards.
3. Research to learn as much as you can. If that is NOT your thing or it is not feasible for you, a paid advocate is even more important.
4. Spend time with other parents who are effective advocates. It may take a few months to find these mentors but they will teach you the balance between patience, assertiveness, wisdom and relational savvy with school personnel.

It takes time (usually a couple of years) to develop abilities, knowledge and confidence as an advocate. A little bit of mentoring will enable you to gain insight at a faster pace than doing on you own.

 

Posted with Blogsy