Special Education is a broad and sometimes complex concept to understand for parents, students, administrators, teachers and others that are involved in the education process. Educators tend to have more knowledge about the process for special needs children. This can be very intimidating for a parent especially if the parent does not understand IDEA, or the local school's policy and procedures for their special needs students.

I have had the opportunity to experience the educational process as a parent of two special needs children and as an educator for special needs children. The process is very overwhelming at times. My children and I have had some good and some not so good experiences. My experience has taught me that the law is designed for the children, but the school systems are not designed for the most part to accomodate the special population. For example, schools generally get more funding for special needs students than for non special needs students. Those funds are not always used to assist the special population. Another area of concern is the school's or the school districts discipline policy. Most often those policy are not designed to accomodate students with special needs. School systems should provide more inclusive training for special and general education teachers so both groups can accomodate the special populaton.

Most school systems leave it up to the parent to gather information about the educational process for their child. I know from my experience that I was made to feel uncomfortable about my children's disability. Once they realized that I was not "the enemy" just a concerned parent that wanted to know about my childs rights as a student, I became less of a threat.

Parents are the best advocates for their children although they may need the assistance of an outside advocate to understand what is best for their child. The advocate can be another parent(s), a representative from a support group or advocate for special needs individuals, a lawyer, or mediator. An outside advocate can be a source of support for the parent, the child, and the school. If the child is able he /she should be included in the decision making. I have invited my children to IEP meetings. Explain to the child that the meeting is to help him as a student. Let him know that everyone is there to help him. Sometimes the child can share on what methods, learning styles and accomodations are best for him.

Learn more about this author, Pamela Adams.
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