ADVOCACY
Navigating the path to meet the needs of students with special needs can be a long and complicated process for families. A path that can be congested with special education lingo, meetings, assessments, progress reviews and also sometimes disagreement. Parents trying to navigate this path may benefit from the help of a special education advocate-someone who can educate, advise, and play a vital role helping parents to know their rights and get services for their children.
A complex system of federal, state, and local laws, plus policies and regulations, oversees special education. These laws, policies, and regulations dictate students’ eligibility for special services which they would be entitled to.
Special Education advocates will assist in overseeing that parents rights and protections are upheld and respected and that services and accommodations are available.
Parents are often unfamiliar with these systems, laws and practices and can become confused by the litany of terms and abbreviations which are used in special education. Parents can be left struggling to participate in discussions about their child’s special needs, a special education advocate can help fill in the knowledge gap.
Discussing a child’s special needs can be emotional and overwhelming for parents and having a special education advocate to support and clarify can be very beneficial to the family.
