In this episode of In It, hosts Gretchen Vierstra and Rachel Bozek welcome professional parent advocate Danielle Ward. Danielle started out advocating for her own kids, several years ago. 

Now, through her company Encompass Parent Solutions, she offers families of kids with learning and thinking differences non-legal help with advocacy, support, and education counsel. 

Danielle chats with Gretchen and Rachel about some of the most important dos and don’ts for parents who are advocating for their child at school. Danielle outlines the steps to take when your child is struggling and how to recognize when a parent advocate might be necessary. She also explains the difference between a parent advocate and a special education attorney.

For a transcript and more resources, visit the In It page on Understood.

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Related resources

• 8 steps to advocating for your child at school
• Where to find legal help
• The difference between special education advocates and attorneys
• What is the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)?
• Listen: An attorney’s advice on special education disputes

Timestamps

(00:59) What does a parent advocate do?

(02:56) Description of Danielle’s first IEP meeting

(04:57) Understanding the difference between parent advocates and lawyers

(08:13) Whether or not kids should be in meetings at school

(09:22) Steps to follow when you sense your child is struggling

(10:33) What to do when your child has a diagnosis

(15:24) Tips for writing an effective letter or email

(19:02) Dos and don’ts for child advocacy

(22:06) Guidelines for recording meetings

Listen to Everyone Gets a Juice Box, a new podcast from Understood.org where host Jessica Shaw has honest talks with parents raising kids who learn and think differently.

Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

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