Empowering Parents Through Special Education Advocacy
You don’t know what you don’t know – until now. Get the knowledge and courage you need for your next IEP meeting.
Empowering Parents Through Special Education Advocacy
You don’t know what you don’t know – until now. Get the knowledge and courage you need for your next IEP meeting.
Your Voice Matters in Your Child's Education
Are you feeling:
- Like your concerns aren’t being heard?
- Overwhelmed by your child’s educational needs?
- Unsure about where to start or what steps to take?
You’re not alone, and your voice is important!
As a parent, you know your child best. You are the expert! Your insights, concerns, and goals for your child are crucial to their educational success. Many parents face challenges in navigating the complexities of the educational system, especially when it comes to special education.
Did You Know?
%
Parents feel intimidated or hesitant to voice their opinions at IEP Meetings
%
School professionals tend to dominate discussion during IEP meetings
%
Although parents express a range of concerns and priorities, these are translated into goals or services only two-thirds of the time
%
% of parents felt their IEP meetings lacked collaboration from the team, that their input was disregarded, the focus was on the weaknesses vs. the strengths of the student, the team pre-determined their students' IEP before discussing with them
This all led to hiring a lawyer or advocate to secure services.
WHAT'S MISSING? PARENTAL VOICE
That’s where I come in. As a dedicated Special Education Advocate, I’m here to:
- Amplify your voice in school meetings and educational decisions
- Help you understand your rights and options
- Empower you to communicate your child’s needs effectively
- Guide you through each step of the process
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TEACH ME TUESDAY: Justice sensitivity refers to how strongly individuals perceive, react to, and are affected by unfairness in their environment. This trait encompasses three main dimensions: victim sensitivity (how keenly one feels personal injustice), observer sensitivity (how strongly one reacts to unfairness affecting others), and beneficiary sensitivity (awareness of receiving unfair advantages). People with high justice sensitivity often experience intense emotional reactions when they encounter unfairness, whether it affects them directly or others around them. Given the results of last week`s political election, you may spot many neurotypical and neurodiverse adults with justice sensitivity who find it challenging to move past the results they perceive as unjust. While this sensitivity can drive positive social change and advocacy, it can also impact daily life by affecting relationships, decision-making, and emotional well-being. Kid gloves are strongly recommended as we look to a future without the Department of Education and how that will impact our special education students.
#kidgloves #justicesensitivity #justice #kids1stadvocacy #unfair #educationconcerns #societalinjustice
TEACH ME TUESDAY: After the last school shooting in Georgia, I read about a teacher who prepares her kindergartners for a lockdown drill with what she calls "lockdown lollipops." At the same time, they huddle in a corner away from the door and windows and are expected to remain quiet. Unfortunately, we live in a time when these drills have become common practice - whether in response to a direct or nearby threat. Fire drills are also taught for evacuation purposes. But what if your child has a disability like anxiety or autism? What if keeping quiet or sitting still isn`t an option for them when fear sets in? An I-EAP can help.
An I-EAP, or Individualized Emergency Action Plan, is a specialized document created to protect students with medical conditions or disabilities who may need immediate emergency assistance while at school. Unlike an IEP or 504 Plan focusing on educational accommodations, an I-EAP specifically addresses emergency medical and safety protocols. While not directly mandated by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), an I-EAP can serve as an important supplement to IEPs and 504 Plans, and may even qualify as a Related Service under IDEA if the medical conditions significantly impact a student`s access to education.
The primary purpose of an I-EAP is to outline specific emergency response procedures and ensure that school staff know exactly how to respond in medical emergencies. These plans are particularly crucial for students with conditions such as severe allergies, seizure disorders, asthma, autism-related safety concerns, or sensory processing emergencies. The I-EAP works in conjunction with other educational support plans, creating a comprehensive approach to student safety and well-being. While focusing specifically on emergency response protocols, it complements the broader educational supports outlined in IEPs and 504 Plans.
Please message me if you`d like a sample I-EAP to fill out for your school or district. It could save your child`s life.
#IEAP #safetyfirst #lockdownlollipops #kids1stadvocacy #emergencyaction
TeachMeTuesday: Bullying rarely occurs in isolation. In fact, research shows that 80-88% of all bullying episodes have bystanders present. A bystander is someone who sees bullying happening but doesn`t do anything to stop it. They are labeled as the following:
👉Assistants/Followers - Actively join in and help the bully
👉Reinforcers - Encourage the bully through laughing, cheering, or recording incidents
👉Outsiders/Passive - Watch but do nothing, creating a silent audience
👉Upstander - Actively help the victim by intervening or getting help
Outsiders/passive bystanders can be consumed by a phenomenon called the Bystander Effect. The bystander effect occurs when the presence of others discourages individuals from intervening in emergencies or problematic situations. What would stop them?
📢 Lack of confidence in handling the situation
📢 Fear of becoming the next target
📢 Uncertainty about appropriate actions
📢 Social pressure to conform
📢 Friendship loyalties if they know the bully
It usually takes just one upstander for others to be more likely to follow and intervene. Check out the Bullying Recovery Resource Center`s #31DaysOfUpstanders as we learn more about bullying prevention this month.
#stopbullying #beanupstander #bullyingpreventionmonth #BRRC #kids1stadvocacy
FeatureFriday: Bullying knows no borders. Last month, we lost 12-year-old Charlotte O`Brien in Sydney, Australia, to this devastating crisis. For over a year, her mother, Kelly, desperately tried to protect her daughter, sending 20 emails to all-girls school - Santa Sabina College, about the relentless bullying Charlotte endured.
The warning signs were clear. Starting in August 2022, Kelly reached out about bullying concerns. The school`s response? They claimed the girls had `reconciled` and agreed to `be kind to each other.` But the torment continued.
By August 2024, Charlotte was coming home in tears. She continued suffering - being harassed and emotionally tormented by her peers. They would bark in her face, scream her name, and run away, deliberately hitting her with their bags. Despite multiple pleas for help and even taking Charlotte to a doctor when she `wasn`t coping,` the bullying persisted.
On September 9th, we lost a beautiful soul who felt `life was too difficult` to continue. In her mother`s devastating words: `She didn`t deserve the pain she was in. She deserved love and kindness. She deserved to be treated with dignity and respect.` This preventable tragedy must be a wake-up call. We need:
💡 Schools to take EVERY bullying report seriously
💡 Clear anti-bullying procedures with real consequences
💡 Better support systems for struggling students
💡 Parents and teachers to recognize warning signs
💡 Communities to stand united against bullying
One child lost is one too many. Charlotte`s story reminds us that `kids being kids` is NEVER an excuse for cruelty.
🆘 If you or someone you know needs help, please contact the Bullying Recovery Resource Center (BRRC) for additional resources and advocacy.
🆘 The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline offers free and confidential support, prevention and crisis resources and can be reached 24/7 at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
🆘 The Crisis Text Line offers free, 24/7 support for those in crisis. Text 741741 to text with a trained Crisis Counselor.
🆘 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health/mental-health/mum-claims-she-raised-bulling-issue-with-school-20-times-before-12yea
ThirstyforKnowledgeThursday: When bullying happens, it`s not just about the bully and the person being bullied. Other people around them can make things better or worse by how they act. An upstander is someone who notices when something unfair or hurtful is happening and decides to take action. This could mean:
📢 Stepping in to stop the bullying,
📢 Telling a teacher or another trusted adult about what`s happening or
📢 Comforting or helping the person who was bullied, even after the bullying has stopped
Research shows that when an upstander intervenes quickly, the bullying stops over 57% of the time. They stand up for what`s right and help create a safer, kinder environment for everyone. By being an upstander, you can make a real difference in someone`s life and help stop bullying in your school or community. Check out the Bullying Recovery Resource Center`s #31DaysOfUpstanders as we learn more about bullying prevention this month.
#stopbullying #beanupstander #bullyingpreventionmonth #BRRC #kids1stadvocacy
What a night! As a parent who has walked the difficult path of supporting a child through bullying, serving on the board of the Bullying Recovery Resource Center fills me with immense pride and an unwavering sense of purpose. Every day, I`m proud to be part of an organization that transforms pain into power, fear into courage, and isolation into community. Our purpose is clear and vital: to ensure that no child or family faces the trauma of bullying alone.
We`re building a community of compassion, understanding, and hope. I`m grateful for the opportunity to contribute to such meaningful work and excited about the positive changes we`ll continue to make in the lives of bullied children and their families.
#belonggala #nomorebullying #BRRC #kids1stadvocacy #NoLabelsJustLove
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Our Mission
Kids 1st Advocacy empowers and supports families to secure the quality special education services their children deserve, ensuring every student has the opportunity to reach their full potential.
Our Vision
Kids 1st Advocacy envisions a world where every child with special needs receives an equitable, high-quality education tailored to their unique abilities, empowering them to lead independent, fulfilling lives and contribute meaningfully to society.