Finding a Special Education Advocate

Finding a Special Education Advocate

Special education and the process of creating an Individualized Education Program (IEP) for your child can be really confusing and overwhelming. A lot of parents find it helpful to work with special needs advocates who can guide them through getting the right services for their child. But, finding the right advocate can be a bit tricky.

Unlike lawyers, people can call themselves special education advocates even if they don’t have specific qualifications. While there are training programs for advocates, there isn’t an official license or certification they need. So, it’s really important to do some research before you pick an advocate.

Here’s a simple guide to help you find a good special education advocate:

Figure out what help you need: Before you start looking for an advocate, think about what you need. Consider the specific problems you’re having with your child’s education. Maybe your child’s IEP doesn’t have the right services, or the IEP isn’t working well. Sometimes, the school might even say your child doesn’t qualify for special education, and you’re not sure what to do. Or you might just be confused by the whole process – that’s okay! The important thing is to know why you want an advocate.

Know what an advocate can help with: Advocates can’t help with everything. For example, if your child gets into trouble with the law or is suspended from school, you might need a lawyer instead of an advocate. Make sure you pick the right kind of help.

Decide what you want in an advocate: A good advocate should know the rules about special education in your area. They should also be able to talk to important people in your child’s school, like the principal and teachers. But what you need might be different. Maybe you need an advocate who knows a lot about helping kids with reading problems. Or you might want someone who can explain all the confusing paperwork and tests.

Make a list of possible advocates: Ask your friends, family, and other parents of kids with special needs if they know a good advocate. You can also ask professionals who work with your child. But when people recommend an advocate, ask them why they think that person is good.

Interview the advocates: Before you decide, talk to a few different advocates. Ask them questions about their training and experience. See if they know how to deal with the problems your child is having.

You can ask questions like:

• What do you know about special education?
• Have you helped kids in this school district before?
• Do you know about kids with differences like my child’s?
• Can you give me a plan to help my child?
• How much do you charge, and what do you do for that money?
• How much will everything cost?
• How will you keep me updated on what’s happening?
• Who will take care of my child’s records?
• Do you know any lawyers if we need one?
• Can you give me names of other parents you’ve helped?

Make sure you also get along well with the advocate. You need to trust them and work well together.

Pick an advocate and discuss money: After you talk to a few advocates, choose the one that seems best. Then, talk about how much you’ll have to pay. Advocates can cost a lot, but you can ask if they can give you a lower price. If you know another advocate who charges less, you can tell them about that too.

Remember, finding the right advocate might take time, but it’s really important to get the best help for your child.