How to get services by asking questions

from Fetaweb:

When I began to advocate for my daughter, I felt insecure. Because I felt insecure, I supported my requests with tons of documentation --articles, reports and recommendations from experts, test results, and information about specialized equipment.

I was calm, polite, and in control.

I was surprised when the "powers that be" would not provide the services and supports that I requested for my daughter.

Question: How Do They Perceive Me?

Why was I having this problem? What could I do?

When I thought about it, it seemed that whenever I made a request, the educational experts viewed me as a “Know it All Parent” who thought she knew more about my child's needs than they did.

I realized that they felt threatened.

Now when I go to an IEP meeting, I have a mental list of the services and accommodations my child needs. I ask questions so the educators come up with the desired solution, NOT me.

Strategy: Asking Questions to Identify Solutions

My child Susie has a hearing loss. I want Susie to sit near the teacher OR have a speakerphone in the classroom. I won't ask that Susie sit near the teacher or have a speakerphone.

Instead, I will say, "Gee, Susie really loves her teacher, Mrs. Smith. It’s sad that Susie can't hear much that Mrs. Smith says. You know Susie has a hearing loss? (submit medical report) Susie really wants to do well on the new state tests. I wonder what we can do . . .

At this point, someone is likely to say, "Let's have her sit by the teacher" or "Let's get a speakerphone for her."

I say, "That's a wonderful idea. I'm so glad you thought of it."

Strategy: Saying "Thank You"

I thank the team members for letting Susie sit near Mrs. Smith, the teacher she likes so much. I know this sounds crazy but I found it works most of the time.

Educators/experts are happy when THEY come up with the way to meet the child’s needs! Sometimes they have ideas that I had not considered either! I decided it doesn’t matter who comes up with the solution as long as my child's needs are met.

Last year, we moved to a new school district in a different part of the state. We had a "clean slate." I had a chance to try out my techniques with a new group of educators. I gave them my child’s IEP and told them about the equipment our former school used (the former school was willing to sell the stuff to them).

I could tell them everything they needed to know about my daughter but until they met her and got to know her for themselves, I was just another "yappy" parent.

I learned another lesson: our children often win over people on their own!

IEP Day: My Child Has Many Advocates

When IEP day came, many more people were advocating for my daughter than I could imagine. I sat there feeling stunned, not saying much.

I heard, "We need to base her services on what she needs, NOT the availability of a TVI (Teacher of the Visually Impaired)" and "We need to have some training in this area" and "We need to order these Braille books immediately."

They had already purchased equipment from the old school – it was sitting on the table!

When I meet or talk with school staff, I explain that my daughter needs access to the general curriculum. She must have instructional materials in Braille, services from a teacher of the visually impaired, and orientation and mobility instruction.

I also explain that she wants to be like other kids. I do not expect the school to do cartwheels just for her! When they realized that I did not want to break their budget or create unnecessary extra work for them, they have been great. I can honestly say that I don't feel that I am at odds with them! (But I still don’t let down my guard completely.)

I look at it this way: If an educator came into my home and told me how to decorate my rooms and what color to paint my walls, I would not be very happy!

I can’t say that everything has been smooth sailing – we have had some glitches in getting some things in place for next year. But I think this is the case whenever people with different interests work together for a common goal.

Parents need to figure out how to get the educators to come up with what our children need. My strategies are one approach. I'll bet other parents have ideas too!

It's sort of silly when you think about it -- like a game!

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