Special Education Advocacy: Nine Rules Of Thumb
By Robert K. Crabtree

Having a child with special educational needs requires patience from the people around them and willingness to work with them. Below are some rules to help.

1. Build a reliable team around your child: Your team should consist of strong and credible experts who know your child.
2. Learn rules: Every site has its own rules and regulations, but all must comply with federal standards.
3. Don’t rely only on the rules
4. Prioritize your issues: understanding the importance of your child’s needs
5. Share information.
6. Make documentation of ALL communication with your school system
7. Understand what the least restrictive environment is for your child.
8. BE AWARE of personality conflict.
9. Consider how each step would look to an impartial decision maker.

Planning for Transition:
It's Never Too Soon

Parent's of young adults often confess that " it seems like only yesterday" that their son or daughter was an infant - a toddler -entering kindergarten - and so on. In other words, children grow up quickly. From that perspective, it's never too soon to begin planning for their future as an adult

PACER Center transition staff members suggest that parents consider the following issues as they guide their children and young adults with disabilities through the transition from childhood to adulthood.

Social Skills
More people lose jobs because of personality conflicts and the inability to work with other people than for any other reason. Providing children with disabilities the opportunities to socialize is important training for interacting at home, on the job, or in the community.

Choices
Even when they are very young, children can begin learning decision-making skills they will need for adulthood. Parents can start by asking children to make simple and familiar choices such as what to wear or what to eat. They must be sure the choices are ones their children are able to make and be careful to avoid offering options that are not possibilities.

Responsibility
Whether it is turning in a class assignment on time or satisfactorily completing a task at work, responsibility is key to social, school, or employment success. A child's self-assurance grows upon realizing that she or he possesses admirable traits. Praise helps children and youth acknowledge their positive qualities and encourages them to demonstrate them, resulting in good behavior that leads to confidence, social acceptance, and good work skills.

Interests
Parents can provide opportunities for a variety of activities so their son or daughter can explore different interests. Hobbies are an enjoyable way to learn skills and can lead to job opportunities. Children or youth who like sports, for example, may eventually work in a sports store or at a camp.