1. Find someone that understands the special needs life. I remember someone that had a several academic degrees and experience in special education asked why someone would hire me. She didn't understand that parents are looking for a person who understand the 24-7-365 reality of being a caretaker of a child with learning differences. I answered, "because I go home at night to a child with learning differences."
2. If you hire a parent, find out how his/her child is doing? Has this person been an effective advocate for his/her child?
3. Does the advocate have an agenda or does S/he support and desire to help you meet YOUR goals for the child?
4. Does the parent Advocate have a calm demeanor but at the same time know how be a strong advocate? Leadership and relational skills are not a match with every parent advocate.
5. Skills, knowledge and experience in the advocating process. Some areas to look for: special education law knowledge, curriculum choices, understanding of strategies, therapies and school personnel.
I would love to hear other qualities that you have found to be helpful in a parent Advocate.
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