| Are you a parent of a special needs child who | | | | special education person a couple of times, |
| has been told thingsthat are not true about | | | | toget a response. |
| your child's education, by | | | | |
| disabilityeducators? Are you a parent who is | | | | Tip 3: Use the Individuals with Disabilities |
| afraid to stand up to thedeceptions? Would | | | | Education Act (IDEA) tostrengthen your |
| you like to learn six disability advocacy | | | | position. For Example: "IDEA states that the |
| tips, forstanding up to some educators who | | | | purposeof the law is to ensure that all |
| are not truthful? This article willteach you | | | | children with disabilities haveavailable to |
| easy to use parenting tips to help you in | | | | them a free appropriate public education that |
| your fight foryour child's educational life. | | | | emphasizesspecial education and RELATED |
| These tips along with knowledge ofthe | | | | SERVICES designed to meet their UNIQUE |
| | | | |
| Individuals with Disabilities Education Act | | | | NEEDS . . .Section 1400 Purposes." |
| (IDEA) will help you inyour disability | | | | |
| advocacy journey. | | | | Tip 4: Tell the disability educator, in |
| | | | writing, that since they arenot able to show |
| I will give an example of a common lie that | | | | you a state or federal law that states that |
| is heard by many parents,and follow up with | | | | yourchild's label determines service (it |
| six tips. | | | | doesn't), that you stand by yourposition that |
| | | | your child needs speech therapy. Remember to |
| Lie: "I am sorry, we cannot give your child | | | | beassertively persistent! Also, use testing |
| speech therapy, becausethe category your | | | | to prove that your child isbelow age and |
| child receives special education under is a | | | | grade equivalents to justify related |
| learningdisability." (Be sure that your child | | | | services. |
| is tested in all areas ofsuspected | | | | |
| disability! Some school personnel deny | | | | Tip 5: Consider getting an Independent |
| services without eventesting the child, to | | | | Educational Evaluation (IEE),for your child |
| see if the child needs services in a | | | | with a qualified person. In the above |
| specificarea such as speech). | | | | example, youcould take your child to a |
| | | | qualified Speech and Language Pathologist,and |
| Tip 1: Ask for, in writing, a copy of the | | | | have the child tested. Make sure they are |
| state or federal law thatthe school person is | | | | willing to write adetailed report to include |
| using to deny needed special education | | | | recommendations. |
| services. | | | | |
| | | | Tip 6: Send the independent evaluation report |
| (IDEA does not allow school districts to base | | | | to school personnel, andask for an IEP |
| services on labels, onlyeducational needs). | | | | meeting to discuss the |
| For example: "Could you please show me, | | | | evaluator'srecommendations. Ifpossible, have |
| inwriting, the state or federal law that | | | | the evaluator participate by telephone. |
| states that you have the rightto deny my | | | | |
| child an educational service that they need." | | | | This article has given you six parenting tips |
| | | | that you can use tosuccessfully overcome |
| Tip 2: If the disability educator made this | | | | disability educator's deceptions. You have |
| statement in a verbalconversation, as soon as | | | | theright to hold special educational |
| possible after the conversation, write | | | | personnel accountable for givingfalse |
| theeducator and quote what they said. Also, | | | | information. Good luck in your advocacy |
| keep a copy. It may benecessary to write the | | | | journey! |