What is an Advocate?

"Your dental home from birth to 21" Sheila Hernandez, DMD, PC - Pediatric Dentist (210) 694-2700

8202 N Loop 1604 West Ste. 104 • San Antonio, TX www.txkidds.com • www.facebook.com/txkidds

Infants, Children & Special Needs Sedation & GA Dentistry

We offer special care for our little folks. Our staff is the best & our offi ce is quite unique!

BOARD CERTIFIED PEDIATRIC DENTISTS Dr. Jennifer Ochoa & Dr. Nelly Gonzalez

9646 W Loop 1604 N, Suite 201 San Antonio, Texas 78254

210-679-4747

What is an Advocate and do you Need One?

Being a parent trying to navigate the special education process can be challenging. When I attend community events, I often hear, “I needed you when my kids were still in school.” or “I wish I had known there was such a thing as an advocate when I was dealing with the school!” So many parents feel as though they don’t understand the process, but hope things will work out for their child’s educational needs. You do not have to do this alone. You can have an advocate assist you through this process. Your child is entitled to a free appropriate public education (FAPE), and for some students that will look different than the education of their peers, or your child may need additional support to receive the FAPE. If your child has an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), or a 504, the school will perform evaluations, and meet to discuss your child’s progress. Under the IEP, you will also receive regular progress reports to help you understand the progress your child is making throughout the year. The school may offer various settings, services, minutes, accommodations and or modifi cations. In Texas, the IEP process is called an ARD or Admission, Review, and Dismissal. The school has a team of professionals at that meeting, and parents can feel intimidated, or possibly overwhelmed. They may use words you don’t know, or talk in acronyms you don’t understand. Did you know that you, the parent, are a valuable member of the ARD Committee? The Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA 2004) provides extensive rights to parents. You can bring your own professional to that meeting. A professional advocate can help you be your child’s best advocate. A professional advocate is a person knowledgeable in the area of special education and special education law. They can provide parent coaching and consultation, IEP/ 504 document reviews, progress report reviews, evaluation/testing assistance, understanding your rights, and can correspond with schools and stakeholders, as well as attend meetings with the parents. Advocates can help with one specifi c issue, or work as a member of the team all school year. Advocates range from attorneys to non-attorney advocates. A special education advocate can help you work with schools to meet your child’s needs. Mary L. Cruikshank, Ed.S. MC Education Advocacy & Consulting LLC maryc@mceac.info