Are you the parent of a kid with autism and other disability that is considering finding an advocate to help you together with your child's education? Would you want a brief listing of qualities in order to avoid when selecting a special education advocate?

This short article will allow you to avoid certain negative qualities in a prospective advocate, so you will help your child receive a totally free appropriate public education.

Quality 1: Avoid an advocate who has not received formal training in federal and state laws, and case law. Good advocates may have an operating understanding of the People who have Disabilities Education Act (federal law), and your state laws governing special education. Effective advocates do not need to memorize what the law states, but ought to know where to find any information that they need. Advocates must also know what due process hearings and court cases have previously occurred, so that they'll use the info to benefit your child.

Quality 2: Avoid an advocate, who has little to no experience helping parents navigate the special education system. Unfortunately you will find individuals who call themselves advocates, who do not need the ability that they need, to be effective. You don't want the advocate learning at the cost of your child's education. Try finding an advocate at a handicap organization such as a Parent Information and Training Center (PTIC).

Quality 3: Avoid an advocate, who guarantees you a certain outcome. While most advocates work hard and do their best, there are no guarantees in special education. You would rather use an advocate, that has a realistic view of so what can be prepared for your child.

Quality 4: Stay away from an angry advocate, who seems to have there own agenda. I have heard of advocates that target certain school districts, for their own anger. Every person including parents in special education, become angry at some point. But the important thing is that the advocate can continue being professional, even when the school personnel are not.

Quality 5: Avoid an advocate, that is not ready to challenge special education personnel, when the requirement arrives. Advocates must certanly be willing to endure school personnel, for the good of the kid, within an assertively persistent manner. This is the key reason why it's so important to understand Federal and State special education law; you've the data you will need to effectively remain true for the child.

Quality 6: Stay away from an advocate that will not promise you complete confidentiality! Advocates must not share any information that they find out about parents and their children; and unfortunately this does happen on occasion. You want your advocate to help keep things you let them know confidential, in addition to any strategies that they will be using.

Quality 7: Avoid an advocate, that appears to be a know all of it! No advocate including myself knows everything. You need an advocate, who is willing to discover the information that will assist your child, if they don't know.

Advocacy is an art form and involves trying different strategies to greatly help the child receive a free of charge appropriate public education (FAPE). By knowing what characteristics in order to avoid in an advocate, will help you make an educated decision about any advocate that works together you to greatly help your child. Best of luck!