Parents are natural advocates 

The following steps are designed to enhance your skills as a natural advocate and focus on the best interest of your child. 

Listen to your child: To assist and/or represent your child, you need to listen carefully and consider their view. 

Know the facts: Encourage your child to share their thoughts and be available when they do.  Respond rather than react.

Identify the issues: It is very difficult to solve a problem if you don’t know what it is.  Work to clarify and pinpoint the key issue/s. 

Decide if your child needs your support and assistance: Self-advocacy is an important life skill.  As your child matures your role changes from representing the best interests of your child to helping him/her represent themselves. 

Document: It is easy to get confused or to forget.  Jot down notes, record dates of meetings and phone calls and whom you spoke with.  Keep copies of everything. 

Identify appropriate support: Talk over the issue with your spouse or trusted friend.  Avoid public discussions of private concerns.  Identify and use the process and assistance available. 

Commit to resolution: ensure you are working to solve the problem.  Be honest with yourself and others.  Don’t give up. 

Stay involved: confirm action plans and arrange for follow up.  Help to define reasonable deadlines for each goal.  If one solution is not working, try another.  The plan must be workable. 

Communication 

Share your ideas with the people, who can make the necessary changes, 

• Ensure your child’s best interest is the main priority when discussing the issue. 

• Strive to be assertive, not aggressive. Encourage others, and recognize what is working, as well as what you need changed…you are dealing with people and your attitude matters. 

• Address the issues and stay positive. Speak only for yourself (and your child).  Do not indulge in hearsay. 

Dignity and Respect 

Children and youth have the right to be treated with dignity and respect, to express their views, and to participate in the decisions that affect them.  Advocates ensure that processes are fair and work in the best interest of the student.  They act with integrity and afford those they deal with the same respect and fairness they advocate. 

Speaking Up - a Parent's Guide

Self-Help Guide - Problem Solving

Self-Help Guide - Meeting Survival