The Role of Special Education Advocates

Advocating for Your Child: Should You Hire a Special Education Advocate?

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) makes public education available to children with disabilities ages 3 to 21. The U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences (IES) reports that 7.3 million students received special education or related services under IDEA in 2021 and 2022 alone, comprising 15 percent of all public school students.

Special Education Services

Special education includes services that address a child’s unique needs. Children who are eligible receive an Individualized Education Program (IEP). While special needs classrooms are available, federal law states that students must have access to the least restrictive environment. The least restrictive environment requirement permits many children with IEPs to participate in standard classrooms while getting additional support.

Navigating the school’s special education regulations and procedures to ensure children receive necessary services can be demanding, as parents often lack knowledge of applicable laws and the school system. In a study by the Rapid Project, parents of children with disabilities reported facing more challenges with children’s school plans and obtaining support services than parents of children who do not have special needs. Families with disabilities also experienced greater emotional distress.

By providing knowledge and guidance, special education advocates can support a student’s best interests and help lessen family stress.

The Role of Special Education Advocates

Special education advocates work directly with students and their families to help them fully utilize available services. They may have degrees and training in education or law or bring years of personal experience from helping their own child with special needs, but no formal licensing requirement exists. Some lawyers also provide special education advocacy.

These advocates can empower students and their families in several ways:

• Creating a strategy for working with the school

• Explaining your child’s rights under federal, state, and local regulations

• Identifying and explaining available services, programs, and accommodations

• Determining and conveying the meaning of test results and reports

• Planning IEPs in conjunction with staff, parents, and the student

• Writing demands and complaints to schools and helping parents submit requests

• Prepping parents for IEP and 504 meetings and attending them

• Reviewing special education documents, making sure they are accurate in advance of meetings

• Explaining the complex system of special education laws

In addition to helping your child access resources, a special education advocate, or IEP advocate, can help identify overlooked factors that could be affecting your child’s education, such as undiagnosed learning challenges.

You may want to explore hiring a special education advocate if you feel overwhelmed by the special education system, believe your child’s needs are not being met, or need help addressing an educational challenge.

Contact MyMASSAdvocate for a FREE Consult to see if a Special Education Advocate can assist your family in meeting your child's academic goals.

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