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.