Being an advocate for your child

In a perfect world, all children would get their needs met; however, in the real world, the only way children get the services they need is when they have a strong advocate. You know your child better than anyone else and are the best person to advocate for them. Being an advocate for your child requires you to:

 

·        Know your child’s needs

Being a parent is sometimes difficult when you are determining if your child does need special services. Pay attention to how your child plays around other children, watch how other children are developing compared to your child. Note if you are doing anything differently than other parents to help your child be successful. Also, do age appropriate educational activities with your child to see if they are on target. If you have concerns, get them addressed as soon as possible. Early intervention is the key to helping them overcome their challenges. If your child has a diagnosis, learn everything about their disability, so you can help them and educate others.

 

·        Know your child’s rights:

To be able to get your child the services they need, you have to learn the system. If your child is younger, familiarize yourself with the Early Intervention Program (EI) and the Americans with Disability Act (ADA). If your child is older than three, you still need to know about ADA, but you also need to be familiar with Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 as you receive services through the Early Childhood Program at your local public school. Your child has a right to a “FREE appropriate public education” that includes “specially designed instruction” services (if they qualify), but you have to seek out these services.

 

·        Be prepared with records and notes

Being prepared is extremely important in supporting your child. I keep a file cabinet with organized folders of doctor’s visits, therapy notes/ assessments, examples of work, and personal notes. This has really helped me when filling out medical paperwork and applying for special disability insurance. It has also helped with talking to my doctor about evaluations because I have documentation of my child’s strengths and weaknesses.

 

·        Communicate the need/ ask questions/ be courteous

When advocating for your child, it is important to be specific about their needs. You need to let them know your concerns and have your documentation to prove your concerns. If you have ideas on solutions, share those ideas. For example: My child has a hard time with large crowds and noise, can he leave class a little early or late to avoid the anxiety that this transition causes? Remember to always be nice and courteous because being rude can work against you.

 

·        Have a good relationship with therapist/ teachers

Talk to your child’s therapist or teacher to check in on your child’s progress. Ask for things to work on at home, do those activities, and have your child show the therapist or teacher that they did it. This will show the therapist or teacher that you want to work with them to assure your child’s success. It will also open up the lines of communication if there ever is a concern.

 

·        Be involved:

It is very important to be involved in your child’s learning and growth so that you will know their strengths and weaknesses. By knowing their strengths, you can help build their self esteem and by finding their weaknesses you can learn strategies to help them overcome them.

 

·        Evaluate

Constantly evaluate your child’s progress. If your child is not progressing like he or she should, arrange a conference and discuss your concerns. If your concerns of your child are not being addressed, maybe you need to consider a different teacher, therapist, or a new environment. When we first moved to our new state, we tried three different pediatric therapy offices before we found the perfect fit. The perfect fit makes a huge difference in your child's progress. It is worth seeking out.