Does your child have a disability or trouble with school? Do you feel that they need more than the school is willing to give them? Then you need to stop being a parent and start being a child advocate. Not sure what a child advocate does? It's simple an advocate fights for something that is right and needed, as an advocate for your child you will be fighting for them.
Many parents don't realize that if you want something from the school then you need to fight for it. Start by knowing your child's teachers and principals. The more people you know the more you will understand what is happening with in the school. You need to make your place known with in the school and make sure that they know your thoughts and feelings. The biggest thing you need to remember is always be involved in any and all decisions made for your child.
I have found that by keeping a journal of questions you may think of and things that you notice are or are not happening you will have a better understanding of what your child needs. Keep everything you get from the school, not all of the child's work but about 1/3 is ideal. By keeping these papers you can go back and see what progress or losses your child is making. A good example why this is important is my son's P.T. (physical therapists) wrote that he had mastered walking on a balance beam with no help and the next year when he was tested he was unable to perform the task. I was able to show them where she stated that he could do it and now he couldn't, he was regressing which was another issue that needed to be addressed. Documenting everything is a major part of advocating for your child.
The next big key is not only to ask questions but not to be afraid of the big fights that you will have to face. This has been said to you since you were a child and now more than ever you must use it "Don't be afraid to ask questions, no question is too small or not important!" I ask everyone everything and to keep the peace when people take offence I say "Please don't take this the wrong way but I don't ........ and I would like for you to explain it to me." I normally get away with this because I play dumb, and people tend to feel sorry for me. If they only knew that I hold a degree in Education and Law they would be so surprised! I ask because I want and need to know everything I can, I also do a lot of research.
You will also need the support of your doctor and any and all specialist you can get your child into see. Doctors are a major player in how the school will handle you child's case. If you have a doctor that says that your child needs something the school has to do everything in their power to accommodate it. My son needed a one-on-one teacher and I got three different doctors to put it in writing and then pushed the school until he got it. My son's doctor said he needed more speech therapy and with in a week the school provided it. Your child's doctors can do a lot to help your efforts so ask and talk to them.
Now you feel that you have fought the school and they are not doing enough DON'T give up. My mom taught me that when you no one will listen then go to the top and work your way down. When I felt at a loss with the teaches and school I called the Superintendent of the school district at her home and after explaining my son's case and what was happening with the school I finally felt that something was happening. With in a few days quite a few people had received a few a set down and by the time it got to the school and teachers I was able to get everything I wanted and much more!
Most of the time you will get where you want to go with just these steps but if you still aren't getting any where there is still an easy way to get the attention you want. First write a letter to the superintendent and any one else you know in the district and school stating that if your concerns aren't addressed than you are going to discuss this with your attorney and your local news station. Bad press and some issues that you may be having may get the attention of other parents and you may have support you didn't expect to find. The schools don't want a legal battle and most of all they don't want to sound like they are not meeting the requirements and needs of the students, they may lose funding that they can't afford.
This may seem like a lot to handle but you need to remember that if you don't fight for your child then no body else will. You are the best advocate for your child and the only voice they may have. Let go of your fears and put on the strength of a Viking for you will need it on your roller coaster ride through the school. This is your child and they need everything they can get in order to succeed in life so do what you can to put them on the right path!
