What is an Advocate?

 

  • An advocate is one who speaks or argues in favor of someone or something.  As  Special Education and/or Educational Advocates we speak out for children who can’t speak out for themselves. 
  • We evaluate educational records and make recommendations regarding the services that are needed. 

 

We attend ARD’s (Admission, Review or Dismissal) along with parents to support the parent as they negotiate the child’s educational services, which are spelled out on the child’s IEP (Individual Education Plan). 

 

 

 

When do you need an Advocate?

 

A child needs an advocate when:

 

·        The school is not willing to meet their educational needs

·        Is not listening to the parents regarding their child’s needs

·        Not following the IEP that is in place

·        When a change has taken place in your child’s life and the school is not willing to consider the change

·        When a BIP, Behavior Intervention Plan is needed

·        When a BIP, Behavior Intervention Plan is not being followed

·        When a child is not learning

·        When Learning Disabilities are suspected

·        When a IEP has been put into place and followed, but your child is losing educational ground (grades, test scores etc. dropping)

·        When the school is not willing to accept the fact that grades are dropping due to an ineffective IEP

 

 

 What can an advocate do for you?

 

·        We know as advocates, how to gather the necessary facts and information.

·         We know the local school districts and how they work.

·        We know the procedures that must be followed in order to help you protect your rights as well as your child’s.

·        We know how to plan and prepare in a way that may help to prevent unnecessary problems.

·        We know what we need to teach you in order to help you become an informed parent and a successful advocate for your child’s education.

    

 

What can I do if I suspect that my child has a learning disability?

  1. Speak with your child’s teacher about your concerns.  Listen to what he/she says about your child.  Judge whether your child’s teacher has enough time to spend with your child to notice any problems and note any concerns.  Ask if your child

A.    Is keeping up with their classmates?

B.     Do they excel or are they better in some learning situations than others?

C.    Are they able to stay focused?  If not, what subjects do they lose focus in?

D.    Are there resources available if your child needs extra help with their class work?

 

          If your questions are not answered to your satisfaction, or if you still 

          suspect a problem, ask for a screening meeting.

 

  1. It is very important that as a parent you attend the meetings (ARD) with your child’s school.  These meetings bring together experts who have knowledge about your child, and will be providing the recommendations to meet the educational needs of your child. 

A.    Become knowledgeable about what the school is trying to 

                   accomplish with your child.

B.     Become knowledgeable with the terms, and what specific learning

disabilities are.

C.    Ask questions about anything that you do not understand. 

D.    If at all possible, hire an Educational Advocate to attend this (ARD) meeting with you.

 

  1. If a learning disability is suspected, an assessment will be made.  This

is accomplished by special tests for which you must give your written permission.  These tests will explain how your child learns, by identifying strengths and weaknesses. You have the right to have your child privately tested at the same time or before the school performs their tests.  I always recommend this to my clients.

 

  1. Another meeting will take place which will have all of the parties of the

first meeting present.  A school psychologist will discuss the results of the tests.  If your child meets the criteria for a learning disability, an IEP will be written.  An IEP is an Individual Education Plan that is geared specifically for your child.  This is to put into place a plan that will help your child in the area that they need, to help them learn.  This does not necessarily mean that your child is below a normal IQ level, it just means that they learn differently.  Many times once a learning disability is identified and addressed, a child’s IQ will actually increase.  Note also that their frustration/anger level may decrease as well because they are able to accomplish their assignments with decreased frustration.

 

  1. Know that you as well as your child are members of the IEP team.  You

have the right to contribute as well as disagree with the team over anything that you feel will not meet the academic needs of your child.  This IEP is a contract between you, your child and the school.  You will be asked to sign this document at the end of the meeting (ARD).  Know that you do not have to sign at this time.  You have the right to take this document home and review it.  If you do not agree with after review, go back to ARD and revise it.  Sometimes the school will tell you that you can’t do that, or that is not their policy.  I encourage you to make it yours.  An IEP identifies the resources, teaching strategies and staff that your child will need and have access to during the school year. Know that at anytime in the school year that you feel that the IEP that is in place for your child is no longer meeting your child’s needs, you may call an ARD and make changes to the document.  

 

 

A note to Mom and Dad:  A child who has a high self-esteem set higher goals for themselves.  They will also be their own advocates, as they grow older.  Setting a good example for them is a MUST!  Learn about their learning disability, teach them what it is and what it means.  Be informed about their lives, and when problems occur, give them choices.  Empower them with knowledge and trust when they are younger and as they grow they will make wise decisions.  They will not only be their own best advocate, but their own best friend as well.

 

A MESSAGE TO PARENTS FROM LOLALEE

  

     Your child spends approximately fifteen hundred plus hours in school every year.  While there, they are expected to achieve and acquire skills.  Notice that I did not use the word, “LEARN”?  Children are not expected to learn anymore, only to perform at a decent level on their state exam.

     Children, who do well, are rewarded and therefore develop a high-average level of self-esteem.  Those children who have difficulty performing either from being Gifted (therefore difficult to train) to having learning disabilities have self-esteems that are poor.  These children struggle just to master skills and keep up.  This can leave a child feeling incompetent.  Learning disabled children may be:

 

  • Depressed
  • Daydream
  • Act out
  • Withdraw
  • Become helpless
  • Blame others for their problems
  • Deny they have problems

 

     Parents can help their children by creating a loving, safe and supportive environment.  They can encourage children to develop their talents, whatever they are good at.  This will help to guide children while they figure out who they are and what they want.  Parents should encourage children to respect themselves and their abilities.

 

PARENTS PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT YOU ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT PERSON IN YOUR CHILD’S EDUCATION.  AS A PARENT YOU HAVE ALL THE RIGHTS AND SAY IN HOW YOUR CHILD’S EDUCATION IS DEVELOPED AND IMPLEMENTED.  I ENCOURAGE YOU TO TAKE YOUR RIGHTS SERIOUSLY; YOUR CHILD’S FUTURE IS AT STAKE!

In the eyes of a child, the SEVEN WONDERS of the WORLD are:

  • To See
  • To Hear
  • To Feel
  • To Touch
  • To Taste
  • To Laugh
  • To Love

    A gentle reminder--that the most precious things in life cannot be
    built by hand or bought by man.

Regarding Children with Disabilities...
I encourage everyone to Repsect the struggle it takes just to be heard...
Now, Imagine trying to be heard if you are invisible.


Lolalee Livingston