Should I Hire a Special Education Advocate?

If your child has a disability and needs special education or related services in order to access the general curriculum then your child's right to a free and appropriate public education is protected by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The special education maze can be a difficult one to navigate. You are a member of a Team of professionals who will develop an Individual Education Plan (IEP) for your child. The process can be confusing, overwhelming and emotional.

There are many resources available to you as a parent. The school should provide you with a guide to parent's rights in special education at least once a school year. There are resources available online that explain your rights including your state's Department of Education website and the federal Department of Education Office of Special Education Programs website. Other websites might include your local school district or independent sites. Additionally, your school district may have Parent Advisory Council for the parents of special education students.

While there are a lot of resources available, effectively advocating for your own child can be very difficult. In some ways you are certainly your child's best advocate. You know your child better than anyone and you are emotionally invested in making sure that your child has the best education possible.

Sometimes, it is that emotional investment that can make effective advocating difficult. It may make even the most persuasive parents too emotional to effectively listen and communicate with school personnel. Other times you may feel like you don't have a good enough understanding of the complex laws or educational services available to ensure a good IEP for your child. In those cases, an educational advocate may be a good option for your family.

Anyone can assist the parents and accompany them to an IEP meeting as long as they are invited by the parents. There are no special qualifications that make a person a special education advocate. So, here are a few suggestions to keep in mind when you are looking for a special education advocate. First, do not hire someone who has children in the same public school system as your children attend. You do not know what their relationship is with district personnel nor can you predict any problems that might arise with the advocate's children that might cause school district staff to view that person as unreasonable or unreliable. Second, do look to hire someone who has experience with special education law and/or your child's specific disability. If you feel your child's rights are not being protected then an advocate with experience in special education law is important. If you feel that the district is not considering all of the services available with regard to your child's disability then an advocate knowledgeable in that particular disability is important.

Above all, look for an advocate who you are comfortable with; an advocate whom you trust to help you make important decisions about your child's education; and an advocate with an effective style of communication that will be respected by your child's IEP Team.