Special Education Advocacy

 

Parents are natural advocates for their children. Who is your child’s first teacher? You are. Who is your child’s most important role model? You are. Who is responsible for your child’s welfare? You are. Who has your child’s best interests at heart? You do.

You know your child better than anyone else. The school is involved with your child for a few years. You are involved with your child for life. You should play an active role in planning your child’s education.

The law gives you the power to make educational decisions for your child. Do not be afraid to use your power. Use it wisely. A good education is the most important gift you can give to your child.

As the parent of a child with a disability, you have two goals:

To ensure that the school provides your child with a “free appropriate public education” that includes “specially designed instruction . . . to meet the [child’s] unique needs . . .”

and

to build a healthy working relationship with the school.

The paradox is that good special education services are individualized, intensive and expensive. Schools often balk at providing intensive services. Parents are often dealing with personal obstacles - lack of information, isolation, and emotions. What can you do?

You can use tactics and strategies to anticipate problems, manage conflict, and avoid crises. If you have a disagreement or dispute with the school, tactics and strategy will help you control the outcome.

 

But how do you know what the right strategy and tactic is?

 

Brent knows that planning prevents problems. Do not expect school personnel to tell you about rights and responsibilities. As a special educator for 13 years, Brent understands special education laws, regulations, and knows how to get your family the answers and educational planning your child deserves.

He understands how to define and describe problems from all angles. He uses knowledge of interests, fears, and positions to develop strategies. He is a problem solver who does not waste valuable time and energy looking for people to blame.

Brent helps parents negotiate with schools for special education services. His role as an advocate is to work closely with your family to understand your child’s unique educational needs and seek “win-win” solutions that will satisfy your interests, while maintaining a working collaboration with your child’s school that is not adversarial.

Links:

http://www.wrightslaw.com

 

Recommended reading:

 

From Emotions to Advocacy

by Peter W. D. Wright, Esq. and Pamela Darr Wright

 

No Child Left Behind

by Peter W. D. Wright, Esq., Pamela Darr Wright and Suzanne Heath

 

Special Education Law 2nd Edition

by Peter W. D. Wright, Esq., Pamela Darr Wright

 

 (10 tips to get off to a good school year)

http://www.wrightslaw.com/howey/10tips.sch.yr.htm