You know your child and what works best for them, and there might be times when you’ll have to advocate for them and their needs. Every child is different, and while teachers and schools are very dedicated to helping your child, there are certain things about your child’s special needs that they may not be aware of.
So, what exactly does it mean to be an advocate for your child? Being an advocate for your child is all about protecting them and defending their needs. Advocating for your child can be a slippery slope to navigate, so try taking a look at this list of helpful tips to learn how to advocate for your child.
Tips For Advocating For Your Child And Their Special Needs
1) Communicate With Your Child’s School Frequently
One of the most important tips we can suggest is communication. If you’re able to effectively communicate with your child’s teachers and their school, you’ll likely be well-informed about what is going on inside the classroom. Be available to take calls from your child’s school if you can, quickly respond to emails, and don’t hesitate to reach out to them.
Your child’s teachers want your child to receive a great education, and if your communication is effective, then any issues, questions, or concerns that need to be addressed will be addressed.
2) Include Your Child In Decision Making About Education
If you can include your child in communicating with their school or participating in reasonable decision-making, that is always best. Your child knows themself better than anyone, and there might be an issue or concern they have that you might not be aware of.
So don’t forget to ask them how they feel about their classroom experience, and include them in the conversation when you can.
3) Keep Records About Everything
Keeping records of what’s going on at school is one of the most important tips for advocating for your special needs child. Maybe there was a bullying issue with another student, maybe your child got in trouble, or maybe your child sustained an injury as a result of a class activity.
Whatever the issue, concern, or question surrounding your child was, try not to delete any emails, and if there is any physical paperwork that is relevant to the subject, keep it just in case.
4) Give Your Own Advice To Your Child’s School
You are aware of your child and their special needs, so the teachers and school administration may not be aware of what kind of care is best for your child. We’re not suggesting that you tell the teachers how to do their job, but if there are things like certain triggers that your child deals with, you might want to let them know. For example, if you know your child doesn’t do well with group work, let their teachers know ahead of time so they can best find an alternative solution.
5) Ask Relevant And Appropriate Questions
Asking relevant and appropriate questions is a great way to not only gain awareness of your child’s classroom setting but also show your child’s teachers and the administration that you care and would like to stay informed on how your child is performing at school. It also lets them know that you’d like to be aware of any type of issue or concern that may arise.
About Ignite Achievement Academy Special Needs Education
Ignite Achievement Academy (formerly named “Manus Academy”) specializes in working with students with learning barriers in grades K-12. Here at Ignite, we IGNITE student learning, IGNITE their passions and interests, and IGNITE their future.
We Help Students Of All Kinds, Including Those With:
- Learning disabilities
- Language disorders
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Anxiety
- Depression
Through compassionate, structured teaching practices and support for the whole child, students receive the skills and support needed to thrive. Most students who enroll at IAA have had a long struggle and are relieved when they join us and make friends with other students.
Parents often report to us that their child feels successful each day and has a growing sense of well-being. This leads to a full-family benefit.
At IAA, we equip students with training to build essential academic skills to successfully complete coursework, solve problems, and meet the academic and social demands of their school environment. Contact us today to learn more about Ignite Achievement Academy, request information, or maybe even schedule a tour of our campus!