Advocating for your kids - 10 tips you can use

10 Tips

On Becoming the Advocate Your Child Needs

You are your child’s best advocate. No one else knows as much, or cares as much about
your child as you. Here are 10 tips on how to get started.

From Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities1. Trust your instincts.

If you feel in your heart that something is wrong, don’t allow people to tell you “it’s developmental,” or “she’ll grow out of it,” or “he’s a boy.” You need to find out what’s getting in the way of your child’s progress.

2. Take your concerns to school personnel, starting with your child’s teacher.

If the issues are not resolved in a satisfactory way, move on to the Special Education staff and administrators. Put your questions and concerns in writing, and remember to be respectful, pleasant, and persistent.

3. Know your child’s rights.

Much of the information you need can be found online. Check Smart Kids’ Guide to Action as well as Pete and Pam Wrights’ website at www.Wrightslaw.com for detailed information and advice.

4. Get your child tested, whether at school or by an outside evaluator.

(You are entitled to an independent evaluation if you disagree with the school’s assessment.) You need to know what your child’s difficulties are in order to address them effectively.

5. Don’t let people describe your child as lazy and unmotivated, or blame him for not remembering today what he knew yesterday.

Children learn if they can. Those with learning disabilities and ADHD need more intensive instruction and support than others.

6. Be aware that IQ test scores are not a reliable measure of intelligence for children with

 learning disabilities.

When the scores for the subtests that make up a standard IQ test battery are averaged, the result obscures both your child’s strengths and weaknesses.

7. If your child is failing tests in spite of knowing the material, test-taking anxiety is not a

good explanation.

More likely, your child is not being taught in a way that permits him to learn, or tested in a way that allows her to demonstrate what she knows.

8. Keep in mind that most teachers are committed to helping children learn.

Build alliances with your child’s teachers, and play an active role in school, whether volunteering as a room mother, chaperoning school trips, or helping out with teacher appreciation day.

9. Support your child’s strengths.

It’s important for your child to engage in activities he or she cares about, whether it’s science or music, skating or soccer or building with Legos ®. Developing your child’s interests and talents rather than focusing only on his weaknesses builds the foundation for success in the future.

10. Believe in your child.

The time he most needs for you to have confidence in him, and to hear every day that you love him is now.