Are you the parent of a child with special needs who has been told things

that are not true about your child’s education, due to disability

educators? Are you a parent who is afraid to face the

disappointments? Would you like to learn six disability advocacy tips to

deal with some educators who are not truthful? This article

teach you easy-to-use parenting tips to help you in your fight for

your child’s educational life. These tips, along with knowledge of the

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) will help you

your disability advocacy journey.

I will give an example of a common lie that many parents hear,

and continue with six tips.

Lie: “I’m sorry, we can’t give your child speech therapy, because

the category in which your child receives special education is apprenticeship

disability.” (Make sure your child is tested in all areas of

suspicion of disability! Some school staff members deny services without even

evaluate the child, to see if the child needs services in a

like speech).

Tip 1: Ask, in writing, for a copy of the state or federal law that

the person from the school is using to deny necessary special education services.

(IDEA does not allow school districts to base services on labels, only

educational needs). For example: “Could you please show me in

in writing, the state or federal law that establishes that you have the right

deny my son an educational service he needs.

Tip 2: If the disability educator made this statement verbally

conversation, as soon as possible after the conversation, write the

educator and quote what they said. Also, keep a copy. Could be

necessary to write to the special education person a couple of times, to

get an answer

Tip 3: Use the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to

strengthen your position. For example: “IDEA states that the purpose

of the law is to ensure that all children with disabilities have

make available a free and appropriate public education that emphasizes

special education and RELATED SERVICES designed to meet your UNIQUE needs

NEEDS. . .Section 1400 Purposes.”

Tip 4: Tell the disability educator, in writing, that since they are

cannot show you a state or federal law that says your

the child’s label determines the service (it doesn’t), which you endorse your

position that your child needs speech therapy. remember to be

persist assertively! Also, use the tests to show that your child is

below the age and grade equivalents to justify related services.

Tip 5: Consider getting an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE),

for your child with a qualifying person. In the above example, you

you could take your child to a qualified speech-language pathologist,

and have the child examined. Make sure they are willing to write a

detailed report including recommendations.

Tip 6: Send the independent evaluation report to school staff and

Request an IEP meeting to discuss the evaluator’s recommendations. Yew

If possible, have the evaluator participate by phone.

This article has given you six parenting tips that you can use to

successfully overcome the disappointments of the disability educator. Do you have the

right to hold special education personnel accountable for giving

false information. Good luck on your promotional journey!