“Are they getting the support they need?” “Does their teacher understand them?” “Will they learn the skills they need to be independent?” “Are they making any progress?” “Do they feel accepted and included?”

These are the questions that live in the brains of all parents, but especially so with parents of children with disabilities. If you are a parent of a school-aged child with a disability, chances are you have experience coordinating support for your child at school. Whether that looks like regular check-in’s with their teacher, meetings with a principal, or coordinating with special education teams - it can often feel overwhelming.

Here’s the good news - as a parent, YOU have so much power in supporting your child’s education. There are many resources (maybe more than you even realize), and sometimes it just takes a little nudge in the right direction to start feeling empowered. Here are 3 tips to a positive and proactive relationship between you and your child’s education team:

1. Know Your Rights

Students with disabilities are afforded more protections under the law than students without disabilities. While public schools have a legal obligation to support students with disabilities, they may not always be aware when a new clinical or medical diagnosis is given. As a parent, you are your child’s most powerful advocate. Understanding your and your child’s rights will empower you to ask the right questions and request the appropriate support. Even if your child’s disability does not qualify them for special education services, there are other avenues and resources available to them.

Specific information for parents from the Virginia Department of Education can be found here: https://www.doe.virginia.gov/programs-services/special-education/information-for-families

2. Communicate, Communicate, Communicate

Building from tip #1, always be advocating. Especially in the younger grades, you are your child’s voice. Yes, the school is responsible for your child’s education, but sometimes things fall through the cracks or information isn’t passed clearly. If you have any concerns, it is vital that you initiate communication and schedule follow-ups as needed. Documenting communication is a great way to hold both yourself and the school accountable to whatever problem you are addressing together.

For example, after a phone call with a teacher it may be helpful to follow up with a summary email and follow-up date. If your child is on an IEP or 504 Plan, they have an entire team dedicated to their success with whom you can communicate and coordinate. Part of that team should include a case manager who serves as your point of contact.

3. Use School Experts

Tip #3 is here to remind you that your child’s school and school district are full of highly trained and qualified professionals whose careers are centered around helping children. These professionals include your child’s teacher, administrators, reading specialists, intervention coordinators, counselors, school psychologists, therapists, behavior specialists, speech and language pathologists, social workers, occupational therapists, audiologists, vision specialists, and physical therapists (just to name a few). Even if your school does not directly employ all of these specialized professionals, they likely contract with them in order to serve the needs of all students. If you have a specific concern but are thinking, “There’s no way the school supports that,” you are encouraged to think again! While not all students with disabilities receive support from all of these professionals, that does not mean you can’t ask questions or seek a consultation.

Think of these tips as a roadmap for tackling those endless questions running through your mind! No matter what the school’s procedures and policies are, your child’s rights are the same. Educate yourself, advocate for your child, and use the resources freely available to you! And always remember…it should be a collaborative experience for the wellbeing and support of your child.

Interested in having your child’s evaluation updated? Call our office today to schedule an appointment with our assessment team!

3 Tips for Navigating The School System As A Parent Of A Child With Disabilities

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