Parent+Information

**__Tips and Strategies for Parents of Students with Special Needs __**
Right now the process of advocating for your child seems overwhelming. There are new relationships to build, IEPs to write, meetings to go to, and inevitable conflicts to negotiate. And then there’s the challenge of your child’s file. Remember as you gain experience the whole process will seem less daunting. Here are a few pointers to help you develop your skills in the some crucial areas. Remember, there’s no substitute for practice, but hopefully these quick tips will help you get started on the right foot.

Building Relationships
Knowing how to deal with people can make all the difference in successfully negotiating for your child. Here are some tips on how to deal with some of the more challenging individuals you might run into as you advocate:
 * The job of a gatekeeper is to keep people from bothering their superiors with unnecessary questions. Remember that they’re doing their job, even when they’re making your job much more difficult. Getting angry with them won’t help. Try to present your case to them logically and be persistent. Call as many times a you need to in order to make headway, but always be polite.
 * Make sure you have yourself under control whenever you engage in a conversation with anyone at your child’s school.
 * Making people feel at ease with you is an incredible skill.
 * When suggesting new ideas, do not attack. Acknowledge the power and skills of the person on the other side. Suggest that your ideas might make things go smoother, but do not insist. Be firm and confident, but not overly aggressive.
 * Listen to people who know what they’re talking about, but make sure you know enough yourself to be certain of the accuracy of their statements. If you don’t know if what they’ve said is true, ask for some time to research.
 * Seek to maintain a business relationship with your child’s school. Don’t bring too much personal information into your relationships.
 * Remember that you are an outsider to the school culture. Treat it with respect. Even if you think you know all there is to know, someone will undoubtedly surprise you.
 * Many school systems feel threatened by someone who is assertive and knowledgeable. When you speak or bring up points in writing, try to keep from threatening the knowledge or credibility of any members on your child’s team.

__**Helpful websites for Special Needs Children **__
 H ere you will find websites that can be very helpful, for those of us that have special needs children. If you know of a link and its not posted, please PM me and I will add it ASAP

ADDitude The Happy Healthy Lifestyle Magazine for People with ADD

URL: @http://www.additudemag.com/ Email: additude@additudemag.com We are America's only independent lifestyle and consumer magazine for people with ADD. Fun, sleek, positive and informative ADDitude has a variety of articles and features dedicated to helpong the AD/HD community and rasing the public awareness of this often misunderstood disorder. From children to adults ADDitude has something for everyone.

Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorders (CH.A.D.D.)

URL: @http://www.chadd.org/ Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorders (CH.A.D.D.) is a nonprofit parent-based organization formed to better the lives of individuals with attention deficit disorders and those who care for them.

Coping With Epilepsy

URL: http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com Email: info@coping-with-epilepsy.com A forum for epileptics and those who care for them to discuss treatments and coping with the disorder.

Epilepsy Foundation of America

URL: @http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/ The Epilepsy Foundation of America is the national organization that works for people affected by seizures through research, education, advocacy, and service.

Autism Treatment info

URL: @http://www.autismtreatment.info/ Email: jreirdon@uniden.com Treatment Tips for Children with Autism, PDD & Asperger's Syndrome. Parents share their experience running In-Home treatment programs for their children with Autism.

Mothers with Attitude

URL: http://www.motherswithattitude.com Email: motherswithattitude@yahoo.com Humor and help for adoptive moms, special-needs moms, any old moms at all.

Tourette Syndrome

URL: @http://www.tourettesyndrome.net/ Email: lpacker@tourettesyndrome.net This site provides information on neurobiological disorders to meet the various needs of the Tourette Syndrome community: parents or family members, educators, and clinicians