Author: Lea Zweig, Psy.D.
In the U
nited States, 5.7 million children in public school were receiving some type of special education services in 2011 (National Center for Learning Disabilities: NCLD). Of the 5.7 million students, 42% of these children were diagnosed with a learning disorder, 7% with autism, 19% with speech and language impairments, 13% experienced other health issues, 8% with an intellectual disability, 6% with an emotional disturbance, and 5% were classified in the “other” category.
According to the NCLD, parents of children who received special education services at school identified that they did not know how to appropriately help their child manage academically. Many parents also expressed frustration with the school system for not having the time or the resources to adequately help their child. Two-thirds of the parents further stated that the schools did not provide enough information on learning disorders and one-third of parents stated that their school had inadequately tested their child for a learning disorder. This data suggests that parents advocating for scholastic support and academic resources for their children are likely to face significant barriers along the way. Here are three steps to assist parents in supporting their children through their formative years and their educational experiences.
STEP ONE: Identifying the problem.
The first step in identifying the problem is to have your child undergo a psychological evaluation. For the purpose of obtaining support and accommodations from the school, the most important part of the psychological evaluation is the diagnosis and the recommendations. Many schools require specific tests that are used in the child’s evaluation. Parents should ask the school about these requirements before scheduling an evaluation. It is also important to request a feedback session with the psychologist who completed the evaluation in order to discuss the results and recommendations following the evaluation. The feedback session will help you learn the specific ways to advocate for your child within the school system. Many insurance companies will cover the cost of an evaluation, however, it is important to review your health plan since not all types of evaluations are covered by insurance.
STEP TWO: Advocating for your child.
The next step in the process is to set up a meeting with the school to identify and discuss the ways in which the teachers and school staff can help your child. Some parents choose to be accompanied by a school advocate who can help them facilitate the meetings to ensure that their child’s needs are met. During the meeting, those in attendance can decide if the child requires a specific plan of action to help the child succeed academically, such as a 504 plan or an Individualized Education Plan (IEP).
STEP THREE: Continued support.
The key for a child’s continued academic success is parental involvement. It is recommended parents set up meetings throughout the year to stay in communication with the teachers and to remain updated on the child’s progress. This should be an on-going process that can be done through email, phone calls, and/or face-to-face meetings. Consistent communication between all individuals that work with the child is most important!
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