vendredi 31 janvier 2014

Qualities Of Good Special Education Parent Advocates

By Eliza Mendoza


If you are a parent of a child with Autism or one that has learning disability and you are having problems with the school staff, then you need the help of parent advocates. These professionals can help you in getting the appropriate education for your child. An advocate of this nature is a person who has undergone special training which helps parents to steer the special education system. In some cases the parents play the role of the advocate to their children but it is always better to hire the professional because of his wide knowledge. Below are some of the qualities you should check before you hire the professional.

Before you hire him, first you have to check his experience. It is important to be sure that the advocate is familiar with the kind of disability your child has. This way he will be able to advocate effectively. So you should ask him about the different cases he has handled.

Being conversant with state laws that govern the special education program is a good quality for the advocate. This is because the expert will apply the laws in relevant situations. It is important noting that special education is governed by several state and federal rules. Some of them include Disabilities Education Act, No Child Left behind Act and special education federal rules.

It is important that an advocate should have basic knowledge on what is comprised in the different rules and regulations. This will help the lawyer to apply laws that will benefit your child during IEP meeting. A lawyer without the knowledge of the laws will be unprofessional and will not help in meeting your needs.

The good thing about competent advocates is that they do not offer promises that they cannot achieve. This means that a lawyer who promises to offer even that which is not easy to achieve should not be considered. The major benefit about a competent professional who understands the law is that he will ensure most of your child requirements are meet.

You should go for a professional who is passionate about his job. This will help in ensuring that the lawyer will work hard to ensure that your child needs are satisfied. On the other hand, one who is not passionate will not deliver good results. This is something that you will not enjoy especially at this time of need.

He must be willing to stand up to special education staff when he disagrees with them or when they lie. This is a very important quality because the professional may have all other qualities but if he is not able to stand up to the school staff he may not be an effective advocate for your child. So always ensure that the advocate you choose has this important quality then you will be assured he can deliver.

One has to ensure the advocate he hires is detail oriented. He should also make sure that any service promised by the special education staff is written down. Good parent Advocates should be able to read the IEP before leaving the meeting and bring up any changes that should be made. At times the small detail is what makes for success. By considering these tips, you will be well equipped to find an advocate that is able to help you get the right education for your child.




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