The Special Education Advocacy Blog

With the annual October / Fall Conference period upon us, I am frequently asked by parents, "How can I make the most out of these conference sessions?" Especially within the context of COVID. By co-creating the format with your child's teacher, you will be...

When our State Superintendent of Public Instruction tells us that it's not within agency control (OSPI) to create necessary change for your child, "It's incumbent upon family and local districts", one needs to take this to heart. In fact, it appears that districts are...

Parenting a student with special needs is not always a walk in the park. Advocating for your child's IEP needs (or 504 Plan) may also present challenges on this path. So when we add the Covid experience to the process, advocacy often takes on a whole new level of...

  As the argument continues, "Distant Learning", "Remote", or "Open the schools", this will likely be one of those debates that will never be resolved through "the science", for there are so many points of view and perspectives behind each declaration.  And human...

Often parents say to themselves, "If things get worse, I will seek out the support of an advocate". Think of it another way: Imagine the consequences if you said, "I will wait for things to get worse" before I go the dentist ... or the mechanic, or any other...

"And finally the tables are starting to turn, talking about a revolution". Tracy Chapman. In my adult lifetime, I cannot imagine a moment in time where all social & cultural roads lead to institutional change: No matter where you look, as "Black Lives Matters"...

However it all lands, we are in the midst of a true transition: From what was to what will be. Some people describe the Covid 19 experience as "The Awakening" for we are collectively and individually called upon to reflect upon our lives; as "normal" fell by the...