The Transformative Effects of Special Education Advocacy by Pam A. Labellarte

 

Over the years I have worked with lots of moms; supporting, training and building good advocacy for their child with special needs. The remarkable thing to see is once the advocacy skills take hold, are the transformative effect it has on the Mom at the IEP meeting and in other areas of her life. Becoming an effective advocate taps into that basic parental instinct to preserve and promote your child’s best interest. (I speak about Moms, but there have also been some Dads too!)

I call her the “Transformative Mom”. When you first meet her you see a caring and supportive parent who just wants her child to be happy and do their best in school.  She has faith in the school and has done whatever she can to help the teachers and staff. But, over time she has discovered that things aren’t as they seem, and her child is struggling academically, socially or both. And it seems that no matter what she has done to support the school staff or assist her child at home, her child is falling farther and farther behind.  Sometimes her child is struggling because of a disability, which has gone unidentified. Other times, the child is struggling in spite of the fact that they have an IEP.  If things are really out of control, her child may be serving multiple detentions or has even been suspended. Many times she feels powerless to change the situation. Nevertheless, determined she will not give up, she realizes she can’t do it alone.

When meeting with an Advocate for the first time, the initial conversations include educational rights, but they also encompass the emotional struggle the mom is experiencing, many times feeling like she has failed her child. As she develops a deeper understanding of her crucial role in the IEP process, and discovers the strategies to be a more effective advocate for her child, the transformation begins to take place. She no longer views herself as a spectator, but as a full-blown participant. She continues to educate herself on what her child needs to be successful. She attends her child’s IEP meetings prepared to pose questions regarding progress on goals, the effectiveness of accommodations, the benefits of push-in versus pull-out services, the implementation of a behavior plan or the eligibility for extended school year services, all the while effectively participating as an equal member of the team.

For this mom, when her child’s future is jeopardized, her basic primal instincts emerge.  Mess with me, but don’t mess with my kid! Even though this Mom may be a soft-spoken, easy-going person, deep down inside beats the heart of a lioness ready and willing to protect her cub. After this transformation point, she continues to hone her leadership skills and develop and foster relationships with school staff, while gaining their respect as an active member of the team. Some staff and even some family members may have problems adjusting to the new persona, one that is more assertive, clear and defined. They will have to adjust, as this mom is paving the way for a more effective and meaningful future for both herself and her child. Once this transformation occurs, this mom will never be the same. What has been unleashed, is the power of knowing she has a voice, untapped resources available to her and the ability to make a positive impact on the life of her child. Becoming an effective advocate in my experience can be a life altering experience for both the parent and the child.

Comments

[Mega Educational Resources]

Learning about parent and student advocacy programs for special education is invaluable. They are one of many mega educational resources that parents need to be exposed to when trying to navigate special education and gifted education programs.

[twitter.com/Evalulogix]

Keeping parents informed and up-to-date on what's going on is a key to success at the IEP. When a parent knows what is going on with their child, instead of wondering, they are more eager to be helpful.

[paula rich]

Involvement in the special education program of a child is the responsibility of each parent. Being informed about options, programs, and rights in special education assists you in making decisions that assure your child's successful education.Therefore a special education advocacy program for parents can open door not only when there is something that is wrong and needs to be correct but also in helping parents to remain current and abreast of whats happening in their childs' life.