You know that you are a professional when it comes to your child! If you are a professional then it's important to act like one. What does that mean? Well, I am a mom turned special needs consultant. Let me share how I advocated for my son and what I do as I help families prepare for a school meeting.
- It is important to do your homework. What are your concerns? If you don't know, it's important to figure that out. Once those things are determined. Put together an agenda for a meeting. Share that with your contact at school. Let him/her know that you would like the agenda items discussed at the meeting. Do any research needed to share with the school team members. Bring copies of an outline of the things you want to discuss/present during the meeting.
- Look like a professional. Dress professionally. Make sure you are well groomed. Bring items to the meeting like a professional advocate. Have items to pass out to the team organize so they can be distributed easily and orderly. Have a pad of paper, pen and a tablet or laptop if you keep lots of your advocating items on them.
- Use good listening and interpersonal skills during the meeting. Be ready to listen to what others are saying. Be polite, ask questions and request additional information.
- If you feel uncomfortable with how a meeting is going especially an IEP meeting, slow the process down. You can say, "I am not comfortable with this goal. I can't agree to this. Let's suspend this meeting for today and come back together in the next couple of weeks." This may help you to stay calm when you and the school are on different pages regarding your child. It also helps the school realize there is work to be done for everyone to come to a concensus. This may help keep all heads cool. Taking a break when there is difference of opinions keeps emotions cooled down.
When you advocate like a pro, you are likely to be taken very seriously as a contributing member of your child's team.
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