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