10 Ways You Can Advocate For Your Child With A Learning Disability
Did you know that you are the most important person in your child's life? Of course you did.
But did you know that parents of children with learning disabilities can also be their child's most effective advocate.
What exactly is an advocate? An advocate is someone who speaks up for someone else, or who acts on behalf of another person. As a parent, you know your child better than anyone else, and you are in the best position to speak for him and act on his behalf.
Here are 10 ways you can do that:
1. Realize from the beginning that advocating for your child takes a lot of time. Advocating involves a great deal of research, meeting time, and communication. That's a given. But the end result will be a successful,responsible, happy young adult who will be able to survive the pitfalls of the real world.
2. Be informed. The more you know about what is going on with your child, the more comfortable you will be in helping others understand him. Here are some ways you can become informed:
a. Read all you can about learning disabilities (especially your child's learning disability).
b. Attend conferences. That's a great way to learn and make contact with other people faced with similar issues.
c. Ask questions - seek answers.
d. Join a support group if there is one available. You can learn a lot from a support group.
3. Become familiar with the rules and regulations that apply to your child's special education program. You request copies of the regulations from your local school district office (the special education office, if your district has one) or from your state Department of Education. If you have difficulty understanding these rules and regulations, don't be afraid to ask the special education director or your child's special education teacher to explain them to you.
4. Work together closely with the professionals who work with your child. This should be done in a positive, cohesive way in order for the child to gain the maximum benefit. Get to know these people - talk with them on a regular basis. Volunteer in the classroom. Don't be afraid to ask for a meeting with the teacher(s) if you see something going on at home that can be helped at school, or vice versa.
5. Keep track of the paperwork that is given to you at the team meetings. This is valuable information that should be kept in an organized place so that you can refer to it easily. If you aren't sure how to do this, talk with the special education director or special education teacher. They have a system to keep the records organized in the office. Perhaps they would share that with you.
6. Don't be afraid to communicate with the professionals. Be prepared when you go to the team meetings, and don't be afraid to calmly and assertively state your views. Take notes into the meeting with you so you won't forget the questions you want to ask or the points you want to make. Remember, the professionals need insight from you as much as you need insight from them. The more communication you have, the more powerful the educational team to help your child.
7. Don't be afraid to ask questions. The field of special education is as complex as your child's needs. Asking questions doesn't mean that you are stupid. It just means that you are interested in your child's education and well- being and want to be an informed parent. You will most likely hear the professionals asking lots of questions as well!!!
8. Keep the lines of communication open with your child. Talk with him about his life both in and outside school. Allow him to express his frustrations, his successes, his disappointments, his hopes, his likes and his dislikes. The better you know your child and what is going on with him, the better you can help other people to work with him.
9. Know your child's strengths and weaknesses and share them with the professionals. Children with learning disabilities, although they have weaker areas, have many strong areas, too. By highlighting these areas, it makes it easier for the professionals to use them as tools to strengthen the weaker skills. It helps them see the child in a more positive light, and it helps them relate to the child. And it helps your child's self-esteem to know that the teachers sees good things in him.
10. Help your child learn to advocate for himself as early as possible. As time goes on, and your child has heard you advocate for him, he will be able to understand how to advocate for himself. If he's heard you say positive things, not only does it increase his self-esteem but it gives him the confidence to speak up for what he needs. Teach him how to communicate how he learns best, what he needs to help him get the most from his classes, and how he feels when confronted with certain issues, such as testing and peer pressure. Give him the power to make his life a success.
You can help your child be able to be a successful, happy, responsible student, well on his way to being the same kind of adult. Advocate for him.
For more plain talk about learning disabilities, please visit us at www.ldperspectives.com.
Sandy Gauvin is a retired educator who has seen learning disabilities from many perspectives - as the parent of a daughter with learning disabilities, as the teacher of children with learning disabilities, and as an advocate for others who have diagnosed and unrecognized learning disabilities. Sandy shares her wisdom and her resources at www.LDPerspectives.com
 Google News Updated : Mon, 06 Oct 2008 14:48:34 GMT Obama accuses McCain of looking for distractions - CNN
CNN - (CNN) -- Sen. Barack Obama on Sunday charged that Sen. John McCain's campaign is launching "Swift boat-style attacks" on him instead of addressing the country's problems. Health Care: Coverage -- But at What Price? Health Care Destruction Publ.Date : Sun, 05 Oct 2008 19:30:50 GMT Postseason ace Beckett shelled as Angels win 5-4 - The Associated Press
The Associated Press - BOSTON (AP) - Josh Beckett waited four extra days for a chance to show his postseason brilliance. That shine wore off with his very first pitch. Video: Angels, White Sox Each Force a Game 4 Red Sox's injuries could prove costly vs. Angels Publ.Date : Mon, 06 Oct 2008 14:11:21 GMT For Some Animals, There's No Place at Home - U.S. News & World Report
U.S. News & World Report - By Amanda Gardner MONDAY, Oct. 6 (HealthDay News) -- Exposing your children to the joys of pet ownership may, in some cases, also mean exposing them to infections and injuries. Keep Kids From Exotic Animals, Docs Say Doctors: No hamsters or exotic pets for young kids Publ.Date : Mon, 06 Oct 2008 13:06:44 GMT Mammals facing extinction threat - BBC News
BBC News - By Richard Black At least 25% of the world's mammal species are at risk of extinction, according to the first assessment of their status for a decade. Many, many mammals face extinction One Quarter of World's Mammals Face Extinction Publ.Date : Mon, 06 Oct 2008 12:37:47 GMT PGA -- 2008 Turning Point Championship Recap - Pro Fantasy Sports
Pro Fantasy Sports - Hello in the second of the “Fall Finish” series, a unknown rookie birdied the 72 nd hole to earn a hefty paycheck and a spot on the PGA tour for the next two years. Johnson earns first win at Turning Stone Rookie posts first victory Publ.Date : Mon, 06 Oct 2008 14:07:14 GMT Angelina Jolie Debuts New Movie and New Ink - Actress Archives
Actress Archives - Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt recently attended the movie premiere for Jolie’s new film “The Changeling” directed by Clint Eastwood, and the film wasn’t the only thing on display. Video: Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt at Premiere Angelina Jolie’s New Tattoo Publ.Date : Mon, 06 Oct 2008 14:09:31 GMT Ask.com Sails into Semantic Search to Differentiate from Google - eWeek
eWeek - By Clint Boulton Ask.com's search engine market share is minimal at best, but the company keeps on plugging away in application development to keep from being extinguished by Google, Yahoo and Microsoft. Ask.com Amps Up Search Again Ask.com, now with more answers Publ.Date : Mon, 06 Oct 2008 13:04:07 GMT Amazon Associate Feed |
PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts,
Websites, and more... The snow was getting heavier with each lift of the... Read More Jason Roberts listened to his son's explanation of the missing... Read More Emotional OverloadMany single parents say they deal with a variety... Read More Q. Our 17-year-old son wants us to let his girlfriend... Read More Reading to your child at a young age is one... Read More Q: My husband and I are at a loss as... Read More There's a phrase that's become popular over the past few... Read More There are many reasons for treating your twins as individuals... Read More 'And all because of a damned cat! It's only a... Read More Last night Tom's daughter, Sue, came out of her room... Read More Parents are in a unique position to "monitor" their children's... Read More Software for parental control is a useful tool, if applied... Read More Memorizing math facts is a necessary part of elementary school.... Read More It's that time of year when mom and dad look... Read More By not planning for the future we guarantee that we... Read More We are all so very happy to see that the... Read More Have you ever sat and watch a child struggle with... Read More 10 Fun Things You Can Do With Your Children this... Read More More and more parents are expressing their concerns about how... Read More I am a dad. I have been now for over... Read More Most of the ADHD kids that are seen in a... Read More With the beginning of the new school year coming VERY... Read More Most day cares are non-profit organizations that must operate within... Read More Recently, a parent came to me, conflicted over whether to... Read More Children are moral and make moral determinations... at least until... Read More
Adsense
websites
Im a Father, Doesnt Anyone Care?
Dealing with Lying: The Dos and Donts
Surviving as a Single Parent
Parenting Your Teenager: Are Sleep Overs with the Opposite Sex OK?
The POWER of Reading
Parenting Your Teenager: The Power Struggle
Quality Time?
Choosing Names For Twins
Pet Loss Can Be Just As Devastating!
Now, Theyre Bullying My Daughter In Our Home: Welcome To Cyber-Bullying
Internet Dangers - Protecting Children from Internet Jeopardy
Mom, Dad and the Big Brother
Math Facts - Try Some Fun Ways to Learn Them
Back to School Responsibilities Again
Home For The Holidays: Avoid Aging Parents Becoming A Burden
Teaching Kids to Read
Imaginations Soar
Fun Things to Do with Your Kids this Summer
Teenagers and Stress: What Parents Can Do to Help
Whos Your Daddy? How to be a Great Dad in 5 to 7 Minutes
What is Hyperactivity in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder?
Achieve Success At School - Parents, Help Your Kids Easily Be Top, Honor-Roll Students!
Fundraising For Your Preschool Or Daycare Center
Medications: Addressing Parental Fears and Concerns
Understanding A Childs Beliefs, Nuturing Young Beliefs
Affordable and Reliable Web Hosting Starting at $4.49/Month
Exposing the Damage: TV and Kids
There are millions of young children in this country who... Read More
An Overview of Alternative Treatments for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Since so many would rather avoid the use of stimulant... Read More
3 Rules to Making TeensTechnology Work For You
Isn't the technology of today is amazing?! Between the speed... Read More
Tips For a First-Time Dad
So you're going to become a father. Now is not... Read More
Power Foods for a Powerful School Lunch
There isn't a school day that goes by that I... Read More
Organizing a Car Wash Fundraiser
The key to a successful car wash fundraiser event is... Read More
From Good to GREAT: Secrets On Becoming A Better Dad
While most fathers aspire to become the best Dads they... Read More
Elephants and Teenagers
Something eerily familiar happened in KwaZulu-Natal's Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park in Africa... Read More
The B Word
Former students would probably attest to the fact that few... Read More
Why Wont My Child Do as I Say?
In speaking with parents a comment I frequently hear is... Read More
Is Your Child Becoming A Praise Junkie?
Do you praise your child when he fulfils a basic... Read More
Let Your Children Name the New Baby
Choosing a baby name is an important job, so make... Read More
How To Live With Your Teenagers Untidy Room
'Whose room is it anyway?'If you have a teenager, you're... Read More
Keeping Kids Safe on the Internet
The biggest trick some child predators' are using these days... Read More
Parenting Your Teenager: What to Do When Your Teen Feels Left Out
On a recent Saturday evening, I noticed a young teen-age... Read More
The Reticular Activating System, and its Role in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
In our last article about the neurology of ADHD we... Read More
ADD / ADHD Children : Being Your Childs Best Friend
Do you live with an ADD / ADHD child? If... Read More
ParentingYour Teenager: Dont Buy the I Dont Know and I Dont Care Attitude
"I don't know and I don't care."I've heard those words... Read More
If at First They Dont Succeed - What a Great Opportunity!
When kids try new things, sometimes it's a 'fit' and... Read More
Let?s Google and Yahoo Our Kids? Education
I love Google and Yahoo. With Google and Yahoo I... Read More
Is There Any Real Use For A Fun Quiz?
Q. I don't like my children spending so much time... Read More
Internet Dangers - Protecting Children from Internet Jeopardy
Parents are in a unique position to "monitor" their children's... Read More
Adoption: Laughter and Tears
If you ever walk through an orphanage, it will be... Read More
Screaming Kids Driving You Nuts? Four Rules to Help You Keep Your Sanity!
Often I will hear parents say, "I just ignore Jr.... Read More
Children - Blessing or Curse
You're trying to catch up on some sleep on a... Read More
Parenting |