Advocating for Your Child

What is it? Speaking up for your child; asking questions, standing up for their rights and needs, sharing concerns, asking for help- things that you've probably been doing their whole lives! Learn more the importance of this job and how/what to do in a school setting.

01.

Know your child, and their disability.

You are the expert on your child! Learn to share what you know with the school.

02.

Understand the system

As a parent of a child with disabilities you have rights to protect you and you can push for them!

03.

Know how to communicate

Learn the who, what, where, when, and how of communication.

04.

Help others!

Be an agent of change!

Knowing Your Child

Have up to date information about your child.
- Note your child’s strengths, needs, likes/dislikes, and goals.
- Take note of new developments, interests, or concerns
- Keep records of easily available.
- Keep up to date records so you can help new service providers and teachers understand your child's history.

Understanding your child’s disability
- What kind of professionals are trained in treating your child's disability?
- What kind of risks go along with your child's disability?
- What questions or concerns do you have about your child's disability?

Knowing how to use all the information you have is important. Learn more here:
Organizing that information and records is just as important! Read here to learn more:
STARNET Chicago gives families resources to learn about their children's disabilties and meet other families. Click here for more:
Fill out an All About Me form to share information about your child with new providers or evaluators.
CPS has a parent group specifically for parents of children with disabilities called the OSD (Office of Students with Disabilities) FAB (Family Advisory Group). Meetings are monthly and can help you meet others and discuss issues about your child.

Create a binder or packet of info on your child. Favorite things, who do they spend time with, what have they been working on, what do you hope they learn, what strategies help them? What do they need to be successful?
Video tape your child doing things they enjoy and daily tasks- eating, interacting, communicating etc.
Take pictures of your child’s environment, school can attempt to duplicate
Get to know your child's service providers, teachers and other team members.
Come up with a plan to organize papers documents as well as online documents.

Speak to your friends and families and others close to your child
Speak to your service providers, ask questions to learn more about your child's disabilties and what strategies help them
Meet with other caregivers for children with disabilities, join Facebook groups or school groups
Do your own research CAREFULLY
- Be aware of where you are getting your information.
- Make sure sources are credible by checking who they are written by.
- Figure out if a source is an opinion or a fact; is it based on science or experience?

Understand the System

Know your rights as a parent/guardian and know your child's rights
Learn about the system of school based services
Learn about your options once your child turns 3, reach out to public schools near you to learn about their programs
Start learning the language of IEPs

Parent rights helplines
- Equip for equality: 1-866-KIDS-046 (1-866-543-7046)
You can find and hire an educational advocate to help you advocate for your child.
- COPAA:
- Equip for Equality:
- CADRE:
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has a guide to help understand special education:
Join CPS's Office for Students with Disabilities newsletter

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Keep up to date on special education laws. Join groups on social media or sign up for email newsletters.
Look into state or city run organizations. Many have trainings, webinars, and other resources. Family Resource centers are a great place to start: https://frcd.org/
If you need more help advocating for your child look for an educational advocate
Learn about services to help your child in the future:
- PUNS: https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=41131
- IL ABLE: https://www.isbe.net/Documents/IL-ABLE-Brochure.pdf

How to Communicate

There are meetings and chances to catch up with your child's team. Show up and take advantage of your time!
You can make meetings with team members when you have questions or concerns.
Be upfront and honest, your opinion and viewpoint is extremely important! Share your child's strengths, needs, and your own questions/concerns.
Be aware of your body language, facial expression, and tone of voice. These speak volumes as well!
Communication between parents and teachers/other school professionals is difficult and a common challenge. It is important to remember that all the people on your child's team want whats best for them, whether you agree with them or not.

Use a communication notebook to keep in touch with your child's team. You can write anything important about the night before or weekend, and then the teacher can include information, as well as specialists or other team members.
Figure out how you want to be communicated with, and share them with the team. For example; ask the team to always begin meetings saying your child's strengths.
During meetings listen, and take time to think about important information.
The professionals on the team are experts, but also still people who make mistakes and deserve respect.
Thank your child's team often- this goes a long way!
When the team shares a plan or new idea, always ask what team member will be in charge.

Learn who at your child's school is responsible for what, and who you should be contacting with concerns or questions.
Ask other parents or caregivers what communication strategies work best for them.
Work together with the school to figure out the best way to communicate day to day.
Make sure you know how the school will get in touch with you for events or emergencies.
Look at online resources about communication styles and effective communication.

Help Others!

Building a community and learning from one another is an incredible skill that parents of children with disabilities have built.
Much of the laws and resources we have would not be here without these parents and caregivers.
You have experience and knowledge you can share.
Taking care of yourself and your loved ones if first priority, only do what you can.

Families in Transition

Advocating for Your Child

Knowing Your Child

Understand the System

How to Communicate

Help Others!

Families in
Transition