by Annette Liike

Created on: February 12, 2007   Last Updated: April 13, 2007

Advocating for your child with special needs is very important. However, it can be very intimidating to a parent as they sit down the first time and each time thereafter, in front of educated professionals who claim to be doing what is best for your child. The terminology can be confusing. If parents take the time to read the safeguards and parental rights that are given to them they can be very overwhelmed because they are not written in a manner that is easily understood. A parent however should not be discouraged by not understanding. Every parent should ask questions to their child's teachers, speech therapists, psychologists, principals or whomever is making a statement that the parent doesn't understand. The parent should continue to ask questions until what is being said is understood.

A typical Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) meeting consists of a general education teacher, a special education teacher, a psychologist or social worker and a parent. A parent is almost always outnumbered at this meeting and if the parent has no understanding of special education they can be easily confused and intimidated. No one likes to hear that their child isn't meeting educational goals or that their child isn't doing well in school.

Typically an IEP can be a meeting where people are focusing on a child's weaknesses not a child's strengths. It is difficult to sit at a table with a group of people you do not know and listen to them "Bash" your child. It is a rarity for a parent not to leave in tears. Tissue is given out and always nearby but special education professionals can use better tactics to help children achieve goals.

If you have a special education child and don't agree with the results of your IEP you have options. There are advocates in every state that assist people in this process. More often than not IEP meetings can be successful and productive meetings where children are lifted up and encouraged by the ideas of the group but if the focus is on what the child isn't doing and as a parent you don't agree but don't understand or know what else to do but sign that form seek help from an outside advocate. There are non profit groups that will assist you if they can. At the very least they will explain whatever questions you have unanswered.

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