If your child has special needs, and is part of the special education system, then you are probably familiar with meeting with school team members at least yearly to review your child’s progress and create new goals. Advocate for your child as much as possible. Be sure to share new information from home, the pediatrician, or other professionals working with your child in order to give the educators as complete a picture as possible.
If you need help, consider contacting a parent advocacy agency, such as PAVE (in Washington State—www.wapave.org) Many states have advocacy organizations for parents of children with different disabilities. Some will even attend school meetings with you to make sure your child is getting all the services to which he or she is entitled.
Most of all, trust your intuition. If you believe your child is having trouble learning, continue talking to professionals in order to find out what might be the culprit. Here are some people to consider consulting:
• Your child’s teacher
• Your pediatrician
• The School Counselor or School Social Worker
• The School Nurse
• Other adults who spend time with your child (scoutmaster, dance
instructor, etc)
• Parent advocacy agencies
You know your child, and if something is off, keep looking until you get the
answers you need.
So there you have them: 8 Great Guidelines for a Splendid School Year.
Here’s wishing you a spectacular September!
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