While schools have implemented better accommodations for neurodivergent children, ensuring your child gets the right support can still be challenging. Each neurodivergent child is unique and needs different strategies to develop in their own ways.
As a parent, you play a pivotal role in your child’s education and development. You must be their greatest advocate so they can find success and thrive while studying in an understanding and supportive environment. Follow these tips to advocate for your child’s educational needs.
1. Educate Yourself
You can advocate for your child better if you’re well-informed about their neurodivergence. Take note of the way your child learns and communicates. It’s important to know your child’s strengths and challenges to better prepare them for school settings.
You can read various books, websites and blogs about neurodivergence and check out what experts and other parents have to say. You can also reach out to communities to help you learn more from people with the same experiences as you.
Neurodivergence varies greatly from person to person. Your child’s needs might not exactly align with another neurodivergent child’s.
Still, getting all the information you can is a good move. Out of all the information out there, some are bound to make a huge difference for you and your child.
2. Communicate with Teachers
Always keep open communication with teachers and staff. When you arrange meetings, come prepared with your own record of what your child has improved on at home and which behaviors or learning issues have been a challenge.
At the same time, prepare relevant and clear questions for the teacher to help you paint a picture of where your child is right now in their development.
The key is to cooperate and see the school as your partner and ally. You’ll have to keep your emotions in check and pick your battles.
However, don’t back down when you know something needs to be addressed. Keep a balance between cooperation and standing for what’s right.
3. Know Your Child’s Rights
It’s crucial to be aware of your child’s rights. Doing so can help you protect their interests at school. If there is ever a dispute between you and the school regarding your child’s education, you can quickly reference legislation to advocate for their rights.
For instance, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 protects people with disabilities and neurodivergent individuals from discrimination when it comes to government education programs.
Meanwhile, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) enables children to receive proper special education and services through federal funding.
Those protected under IDEA include children ages three to 21 with autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, vision and hearing impairment and more.
You can also check your state laws to see what other legal protections are available to your child.
4. Stay Informed and Updated
Always keep yourself informed and updated about your child’s progress. Keep track of your child’s grades, and note whatever the teacher shares with you. You should also keep track of your child’s behaviors and moods.
Keep a reliable record of everything from schoolwork to professional assessments. These pieces of information can help you determine the best steps to take to help your child’s education.
5. Create a Learning Plan
An Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is a program that ensures your child receives specialized education and services in school.
Your child’s IEP must be tailor-made for their specific, individual needs. It can help you, teachers and school staff to improve your child’s education and development.
To get an IEP, your child must first get a formal evaluation to ensure eligibility. Then, you can schedule a meeting with the school to write and implement the IEP. The school must inform you of your child’s progress under the IEP.
6. Seek Additional Support
Neurodivergence is not as uncommon as some think. An estimated 6.1 million children in the U.S. have ADHD, while one in 100 children are diagnosed with autism. Thus, you are not alone as a parent of a neurodivergent child.
You can find plenty of support to help you navigate the intricacies of your child’s education and daily life.
You can find parent centers in your state that can give you valuable information, resources and connections. Look for organizations near you that can offer you support. Additionally, look for other parents in the same boat as you and forge friendships with them.
Getting extra support can help you become a more effective advocate for your child.
7. Teach Your Child Self-Advocacy
As your child grows, you can teach them to advocate for themselves. At school and in life, you won’t always be there to champion your child’s needs.
Teaching self-advocacy can help them become more independent, build resilience and develop coping strategies. It will give them the tools to navigate school, which they can carry on later in life.
Start by talking to your child about neurodivergence. Explain what it is in a way that they will understand at their age. You also have to take care not to make them feel like they’re different in a negative way. Rather, you should emphasize their uniqueness.
Then, you can teach them how to speak up when they need something. For instance, if your child dislikes a particular table in the classroom because it causes sensory issues, you can teach them how to politely and firmly speak up about it.
They can tell the teacher they need a different one by explaining their needs. If your child is a bit older, they can learn to take initiative and get a different table or transfer independently.
Advocating for a Better Future for Your Child
As a parent, you must be your child’s foremost supporter. You hold the power to make a positive difference in your child’s life.
When you understand their needs, foster a collaborative relationship with the teachers and teach self-advocacy, you can help your child reach their fullest potential and more.
