You are the BEST Advocate for Your Child!

If parenting courses were required of all parents-to-be, “How to Advocate for your Child” should be a core course.

As a rule, parents intuitively understand that they are the best advocates for their child and naturally take on this role when the need arises.

Parents of children who have special learning needs should be prepared to advocate for their child to ensure that s/he receives the services s/he needs and deserves. Taking initiative to build a positive relationship with your child’s teacher, the principal, and the school before a problem occurs is a good way to begin the process of advocating for your child.

Meeting with your child’s classroom teacher(s) after the new school year begins can help to establish open communication and to begin the process of working together as a team to support your child’s learning success.

Be prepared to ask specific questions about you child’s performance, the homework policy, how you can help your child at home, and the best way to communicate and monitor your child’s progress.

To be a successful advocate for your child requires knowledge, skills and different levels of persistence, depending on the situation. Educating yourself about your child’s learning style and/or learning challenges will help you to better understand how to work to be sure his/her learning needs are met.

Researching and learning about school policy and produdures and who is responsible for what in your local school system is additional important information to learn. Reminding yourself to keep your child’s needs the focus of all communication with the school, through positive and respectful conversations and actions can also help the process. Remember that how you say something is as important as what you say.

Unusual issues that come up after the school year begins could take weeks to months to understand and work out. By the time the issue is solved, it imight be time for your child to move on to another teacher and classroom. Taking initiative to advocate for your child before a problem arises may go a long way to prevent issues from occuring. School systems tend to have lots of rules and even the best parent advocates can end up compromising. Sometimes it is satisfying to know that you did the best you could do. Working around a powerful system may be a second choice but necessary.

Remember that you are the BEST advocate for your child. You care deeply about your child and know him/her better than anyone! Who will advocate for your child’s needs and rights if you don’t?