Why Advocacy Matters
Advocacy means using knowledge, strength, and support to get the best outcome for your child.
I’m often asked, “Isn’t my child’s school required to give them an education under the law?”
The answer is yes, you and your child have rights established and mandated by federal law under IDEA 2004 to receive a free and appropriate education for your child.
While you’re sometimes offered guidance, legally, no one is required to step in to ensure your child gets exactly what they need except you. It might be hard to imagine facing your child’s school when you’re physically, emotionally, and financially tied up in the unique circumstances of raising a child with disabilities. But as parents, we cannot sit back. It’s our job to be proactive and advocate for our child’s best interests. The laws even state that we need to be active in the process. There is no other way.
Why doesn’t the school already do what’s required?
Often due to things like budget, staff limitations, or just school culture, your child’s school may make the call on their individualized education without involving you in the entire process. Schools may not tell you what happens in special education decision making or explain the steps to you unless you ask.
More than likely, you won’t even know what you don’t know.
That’s where being your child’s best advocate is vital -- and that’s where I can help.
In addition to learning how to motivate the school, understanding paperwork, and gaining knowledge about how it all works, your approach matters.
The way you advocate affects your relationship with the school. You need to know whether you are being effective and producing a positive outcome.
Inherently, parents are not on an even playing field with the school. The school:
Has built-in experts
Creates, holds, and maintains the educational records
Has direct access to observing the child in school
Has training on educational methodology and knows the system far better
To overcome these disadvantages, being better equipped to discuss your child’s needs and being more organized in presenting an argument is important.
Preparation is Key
If you’re ready to...
Exhale your stress and ready yourself for participation with ease
Spend less time researching laws and policies and deciphering paperwork
Get emotionally prepared to overcome intimidation and powerfully navigate the process
Feel confident in responding to anything the school might throw at you
Hold the school accountable in complying with the laws in place for you and your child