Educate Yourself to Advocate for Change

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Educate Yourself to Advocate for Change

In terms of how to get started - it begins with education. It’s an ongoing process of listening, asking questions, seeking out learning opportunities and continuing to grow my knowledge base.  

I get this can be overwhelming. But it doesn’t need to be.

It’s not about formal education (although some may choose this route). Rather, it’s looking for the opportunities to expand your understanding of a topic of interest to help in your advocacy journey.

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5 Ways to Encourage Self-Advocacy in Kids

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5 Ways to Encourage Self-Advocacy in Kids

When children are young, as parents and caregivers we tend to be their voice. But as our kids grow and have opinions of their own, we make the shift from being their voice to their megaphone to their cheerleader.

What this shift looks like and when it happens depends on the individual. What is important is we encourage self-advocacy in kids, regardless of their ability. This is not only an important life skill, but also essential to having personal safety and fulfillment.

 

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Why Being a Truly Inclusive School Shouldn’t Be Scary

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Why Being a Truly Inclusive School Shouldn’t Be Scary

Despite all the talk about diversity and inclusion in classrooms, many schools and families still struggle with what this actually means and why it matters. Just having a child with disabilities or complex needs in a classroom isn’t enough. They need to be seen as a valued member of the school community.

Too often the conversation focuses on the challenges versus gifts these students bring to the classroom.

How can any kid be successful with this approach?

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Why Advocacy Is Not a Popularity Contest

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Why Advocacy Is Not a Popularity Contest

As kids head back to school, many parents and caregivers will be rolling up their sleeves and advocating for the supports their child needs and deserves. While some of us are seasoned veterans when it comes to advocacy, I know it doesn’t come easy to everyone.

Advocating for your child, or any child, can be frustrating, lonely and overwhelming. It can also cause friction with family members, educators and even friends.

Here’s the thing – advocacy is not a popularity contest.

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Why I Want to Break Up with Public Education (and can’t)

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Why I Want to Break Up with Public Education (and can’t)

Having one child in a public school and another in a private school wasn’t an easy decision. But it was a decision made based on keeping my child safe, and removing artificial barriers to their success. I will continue to advocate for the needs of my child remaining in public education, while sleeping better knowing my other child is finally in a safe and nurturing environment.

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It’s Time to Sharpen Your Advocacy Skills for a New School Year

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It’s Time to Sharpen Your Advocacy Skills for a New School Year

Wouldn’t it be great if you could send your child back to school in September, trusting they would get the support they need to reach their full potential? Or at least make it through the day. While many parents of diverse learners wish for this, sadly with overstretched education systems, this isn’t the reality.

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It's Time to Embrace the Gifts Diverse Learners Bring to the Classroom

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It's Time to Embrace the Gifts Diverse Learners Bring to the Classroom

It’s time to celebrate the gifts diverse learners bring instead of focusing on the challenges.

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Why Advocacy is Important in Education

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Why Advocacy is Important in Education

It can be frustrating and overwhelming to have ongoing battles to get your child the support they need in school. But it’s important you keep fighting - because if you don’t fight for your child, no one else will.

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Kids with Special Needs Continue to be Forgotten

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Kids with Special Needs Continue to be Forgotten

COVID has furthered the gap between kids with special needs and neurotypical learners. In many cases, these students have less resources and supports to help them navigate the new restrictions and classroom routines. The result - kids are struggling like we’ve never seen before.

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