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DO I NEED AN ADVOCATE AT MY CHILD’S IEP MEETING?
There is no absolute ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer to this question. However, if a parent has concerns regarding eligibility for Special Education Services, evaluation, program, placement or other important issues, it is always a good idea to call an agency that provides advocacy assistance and speak with an Advocate. Sometimes just getting some questions answered, learning new information about options, choices, rights and responsibilities may be all it takes for a parent to successfully advocate for his/her child without having an Advocate at the IEP meeting.
Advocates have the ability to assess a situation and make suggestions as to what parents can do before requesting professional assistance at any school meeting. For example, if there is a disagreement regarding eligibility, programming, supports, or services for a student, parents might consider doing any or all of the following:
- provide medical documentation, letters from doctors, therapists, etc., or other additional information that supports the need for services;
- meet with a Supervisor of Special Education and express your concerns for your child’s education;
- request an Independent Facilitator for your child’s IEP meeting;
- talk with other parents who have been through the IEP process successfully on their own; or
- request an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE).
Advocates can provide helpful hints and make suggestions on how to approach your school district regarding any issue. They can also help you determine whether or not it would be beneficial to bring an Advocate to your child’s meeting.
In any case gathering the right information and having it available to support your request for supports and services is the key to a successful IEP meeting.
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