Advocating for Your Child in the Classroom

I remember gripping my pen so hard my knuckles turned white during our first IEP meeting. I felt like I had to defend my child's right to learn. Over time, I learned that advocacy isn't a battle; it's bridge-building.

Key Takeways:

• Bring a Photo: Start the meeting by placing a photo of your child on the table. Remind everyone that we are talking about a person, not a file.
• "Help Me Understand": Use this phrase when you disagree. "Help me understand why this accommodation was removed." It invites explanation rather than defensiveness.
• Document Everything: A friendly email summary after a meeting ("Thanks for chatting! Just confirming we agreed to X...") is powerful.

You are the expert on your child. The school is the expert on education. When those two expertise meet with respect, magic happens.