OUR STORY

Speaking Up, Standing Out: Our Family’s Special Education Advocacy Revelation

Troy was always one step ahead of the curve, whether it was on a growth chart or intelligence scale. However, when he was in first grade, his teacher wanted to have him tested. She said he had a lot of energy and was disruptive in the classroom. Sound familiar? Two pediatricians found him to be neurotypical, but a behavioral therapist discovered Troy was being bullied by some older kids in his before and after school program. A neuropsych evaluation soon diagnosed him with generalized anxiety disorder, and he was placed on an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). He was later diagnosed with ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), but at the time, we never questioned his IEP team and the accommodations and services they suggested. Troy began to feel safe again at school. His principal was very nurturing, and his teachers were encouraging. They genuinely wanted and tried to see him reach his full potential. I had no doubts.

When his IEP team changed in middle school, my concerns started to grow. Troy no longer rushed to get out the door for school. In fact, he started to say he was sick or fought us as we tried to just get him through the school’s doors. We learned at parent-teacher conferences that he was having behavioral issues in both science and spanish classes. Upon asking more questions, we soon learned his science teacher was triggering his anxiety and his spanish teacher would send him into the hallway right away so she didn’t have to deal with him. Troy no longer felt safe, and these teachers were not complying with his IEP. We asked the principal if we could move him into a different class, and after numerous emails and months of additional trauma, we were told no. Troy’s case manager, who was supposed to be his advocate at school, did nothing. As a parent, I knew it wasn’t right, but I didn’t understand the system and didn’t have an advocate to help me navigate my rights. I was blindsided, thinking every teacher and school administrator had my child’s best interest at heart but that’s not always the case. Now that I know better, I want to help other families avoid the path we were on.

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