14 Ways to Advocate for Your Child

This is a re-post from February, 2009 but still relevant today:

14 Ways to Advocate for Your Child, according to the 2009 Exceptional Kamily KYmagazine (www.lexingtonfamily.com):
1) Believe not only in your child, but in your ability to advocate at all times.
2) Know and understand your rights.
3) Keep good, organized records.
4) Come to meetings prepared, knowing and understanding what is in your child'sIEP.
5) Know the purpose of each meeting and what you want to discuss.
6) Be ready to share what you know about your child.
7) Ask to see data before making changes.
8) Make sure that what is agreed on in meetings is written on the IEP form. "Ifit is not written down it does not exist."
9) Build positive, respectful relationships with professionals.
10) Become a good listener.
11) Practice what you're going to say in meetings.
12) Ask questions about everything you don;t understand.
13) Don't let personal animosity distort your judgement about getting what yourchild needs.
14) Be willing to try something new.

Hope this helps!
Sandy Knollman