How can parents advocate for their child in special education programs?

Introduction

Every child is unique and special. Whereas, some may require extra support to navigate their everyday activities.

These children face certain challenges that may require additional assistance in school and at home. A Special needs child cannot advocate for themselves. Parents need to play a crucial role in advocating for their child to ensure they receive the necessary and appropriate guidance and support they require to help them achieve their goals to their full potential. Parents are always their children's best advocates. Parents understand their children best and are often the first to know that a challenge won't go away on its own without intervention. Parents can make a meaningful difference.

Let’s discuss the steps parents can take to advocate for their child in effective manner:

 1. Know your special child’s needs:

Understand their strengths, challenges and their learning  patterns.

In this way you will be able to cater to their needs constructively and effectively. Thereby providing them with timely, appropriate and well-planned services and accommodation.

2. Know your child’s disability:

Parents need to educate themselves to understand their child’s disability. They need to attend regular and timely sessions with their child’s doctor, therapists, special educators and all those who are actively involved with their child.  Many resources are available to support parents of special needs children. Parents can seek support to know more and keep themselves updated by joining support groups, parent training programs and websites.

3. Know your child’s rights:

Rights and laws enable the special needs child to receive the services they are entitled to under the law. Parents need to be aware of the rights like the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), free and appropriate public education and services (FAPE). The goal and motive should be to educate the children with special needs, to make them productive individuals in society. A child with a disability has the right to live a full and decent life with dignity, independence and to play an active part in the community. This in turn will make them recognize their self worth and help them live an independent life.

4. Have a strong support system:

There are other parents who are going through the same situation.

Connecting with other parents of children with disabilities can help you establish a strong support system for yourself and your child. This can go a long way in keeping yourself mentally strong and emotionally stable, which in turn could help you give your best for your child. Having a support system in place will enable parents to overcome challenges while advocating for your child as they provide guidance and support throughout the process.

5.Build a strong partnership with the school:

Build a strong and positive partnership with the child’s teachers, special education staff, and school administrators. 

Always work in collaboration to cater to the needs of your child. Parents need to be clear and assertive in their communication  with the school . Remember to be respectful and open to constructive feedback for the overall progress of your child.

6. Request evaluations and assessments:

The process of requesting an IEP evaluation can be overwhelming and confusing. However, if parents feel that their child is facing some  challenges causing a hindrance to his or her overall progress and development, it is important to request for evaluations to provide your child with the support and resources they need to succeed in their education. Parents need to contact their child’s school and ask to speak with the special education coordinator or another member of the school’s special education team.

7. Request for a tailor made IEP (Individualised Education Program):

It is a program created to cater to the learning accommodations that empower the special needs child to benefit from their time spent in school. Hence,  child specific goals are designed.  This tool is great when advocating for your child’s education. Parents and teachers need to work together to help the child achieve his maximum potential. Parents need to be actively involved to ensure their child receives the education services they are entitled to.

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8. Stay organised, record and monitor progress:

Parents may have an extremely erratic work / life schedule . It may be extremely difficult to keep monitoring every step. So, parents will need to work out flexible schedules to help them organise their special child’s overall development needs. They will need to regularly review their child's progress and academic performance. They need to schedule meetings to address issues that are concerning.  Monitoring and gathering information about their child’s progress towards specified objectives are necessary to document skill acquisition and to determine if interventions are actually helping their child learn. This will ensure their special needs child gets the support and services he/she  needs.

9. Look after your own needs