Parent Advocacy Skills Jennifer Buss Assistant Professor Lewis University

Parent Rights   IEP team has 60 days from date of referral to complete case study evaluation.  IEP team has 30 days from Eligibility to determine programing.

IEP basics  IEP must be reviewed annually  Parent updates must occur as often as nondisabled peers  You have the right to request more frequent updates

Open Communication  When is a good time for you to talk with your special education teacher?  What method works for you?  ?  Face to Face?  Phone?

What are your Triggers?  Problem solve  Ask for Clarification  Give specifics  Options  Be open mined

How to Engage with your team  No surprise rule  Voice  Tone  Prioritize your list of concerns or items  Set realistic items to discuss  Praise “Find it”

How to engage with your Team  Let them speak  Allow time to process information  Rule : Don’t say it unless it is in the best interest for your child  Rule : Listen  Rule : Practice terms, and be specific when speaking (we can’t read minds)

Strength Based  Write down 3 strengths your child has  Identify how these strengths can be a part of the programing  Share them with your team  Keep a running list of accomplishments

Strength Based  Share with your child  Ask your child to identify  Remind yourself often what these are  Celebrate successes  Small or Large

Strength Based  Your child is an individual  Don’t compare your child to others  Don’t get caught up with comparing to what other parents are saying or doing  Your child is unique and deserves your focus as an INDIVIDUAL

Strength Based  What route are you going to take for your child?  What route is your team going to take for your child?  Remind yourself often: What can be accomplished day to day?  Don’t get caught up with over achievement or unrealistic goals.

 What is right for your child and your child only…..

What do I do?  Identify your needs  Identify what your goals are for your child  Identify what strengths your child has  Identify what the school can do for you  Identify what confuses you about the process

Some people succeed because they have what it takes. Others succeed because they are determined to!!!