Educating Parents

Whether you are just beginning the process of seeking services for your child who learns differently, or whether you are an old hand, with drawers full of files, reports, and IEPs, you may find that you wished you knew more about how to advocate for your child. There are a number of resources that provide programs aimed at helping parents understand the laws that apply to their children and to advocate for their childrens' educational needs.

The Technical Assistance ALLIANCE for Parent Centers is by the funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP). It includes state-by-state listings of Parent Training and Information Centers . To give you an idea of some of the resources these Centers provide, take a look at the offerings from two New York City organizations we have mentioned before -- Advocates for Children (which will offer their workshops to schools and community groups) and Resources for Children with Special Needs (which has scheduled programs on different topics throughout New York City). There is no charge for these programs.

Other parent training programs are available, for a fee, through private companies. These include Wrightslaw, which is a resource we have mentioned before for helpful information on special education and related issues. The more you know, the better you will be prepared to deal with issues surrounding your child's education.