How to Advocate for Your Child with a Disability
When your child has a cognitive or learning disability, your youngster will experience special education challenges throughout his academic career. As your child̵7;s parent, you have a position of closeness with him that gives you an ideal perspective to advocate for him. As you advocate for your child, you provide important support and assistance that both defends and champions your youngster to ensure he reaches his full potential.
Instructions
Learn about your child̵7;s disability so you understand the diagnosis and any limitations your child will experience, advises the Wrightslaw website. Learn about your child̵7;s rights for education and activities. For example, if your child has a learning disability such as ADHD or autism spectrum disorder, she has rights under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. This act ensures a public education that includes an appropriate education and any special services needed by your youngster. Visit the U. S. Department of Education website and click on your state to get contact information for your state̵7;s Department of Education. Your state's Department of Education has information about local, state and federal regulations that govern the services to which your child is entitled. Meet the professionals who will work with your child at school, including teachers and administrators, advises the National Center for Learning Disabilities. Develop a working relationship with the people who have daily contact with your child and the people who make decisions about your child in the academic setting. This relationship will allow you to discuss and stay informed about your child's progress and resolve problems that might arise. Present an accurate portrayal of your child to the staff to help them get to know her. For example, you probably have valuable insights about the way your child approaches learning, so you could share tips and ideas for effective ways for working with your child. Volunteer your services in the programs your child participates in to help you gain perspective about your child̵7;s progress. Assisting in the classroom, the library or even the lunchroom can give you an opportunity to observe your child in the school setting. Volunteering also helps project your image of a proactive and involved parent, which can help you work more positively with school staff. Organize your child̵7;s academic records carefully to keep track of special services recommended and received. When your child receives assessments, file the paperwork in your child̵7;s records. Document conversations you have with school staff and administrators. Save correspondence you receive from the school and make copies of letters you send, keeping them in your child̵7;s records for future reference. Monitor your child̵7;s activities to stay aware of progress and possible problems. Ask questions if you need clarification about anything connected with your child, and make sure you understand the answers you receive. Approach problems proactively to work toward solutions cooperatively. Stay calm and professional as you discuss issues regarding your child. Disagree with school officials, when necessary. As your child's advocate, your perspective may lead to a disagreement about a proposed program or plan of study. Present your argument respectfully within the due process of the system. Resolving the disagreement might involve mediation by a neutral party to reach a mutually acceptable agreement. Teach your child self-advocacy skills by modeling advocacy for her and talking about the importance of speaking up for herself to get the assistance she needs. Keep your efforts positive as you work with others to support your child. Allow your youngster to witness your efforts, whenever possible, to teach hands-on advocacy lessons. Previous:How to Encourage Good Study Habits in a Child Next:How to Change a Child's Negative Attitude Toward School
