As the parent of a disabled child, I have experienced all of the emotions that come with trying to best support my child in a school setting: frustration, trust, fear, hopefulness, anxiety. At some point, parents realize they also need support in navigating the maze of special education so that their student can be successful.
As a special education advocate, I hear from parents that they do not want to appear adversarial to the school by bringing in outside support and that the IEP team members are all so “nice.” These team members may very well be nice people; However, if everyone is truly working in the best interest of the child, you have two questions to ask yourself as a parent:
- Why am I feeling as though my child is not making progress equal to his/her ability?
- If the school staff really are caring and dedicated, why would they object to me bringing help so that I can better understand the entire process?
Usually, the direct service personnel at a school (such as the teacher or speech/OT/APE provider) are dedicated and hardworking, while the administrators are the ones pulling the strings and putting up roadblocks. Teachers and service providers often do not feel comfortable stating their actual opinions. Since any and all decisions about what is “appropriate” for a student must be made individually, no decision can be based on financial considerations. However, we all know this is what’s being left unsaid in IEP 
meetings. A special education advocate can come into these situations and help parents break through the roadblocks.
Supporting your student is your top priority as a parent. Seeking help with the incredibly confusing and overwhelming world of special education is not adversarial; On the contrary, it is in your student’s best interest. Anyone trying to hinder that is not being a team player.
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As parents, we understand. As advocates, we can help.