Take courage, friends, The way is often hard, the path is never clear, and the stakes are very high, Take courage, For deep down there is another truth: You are not alone.
-Wayne B. Arnason
In 2004 professionals at Seattle Children's diagnosed my child with Autism, and a host of other co-occuring disorders. This wasn't surprising in the least. I had already become accustomed to the daily life of a parent fighting for services.
There are so many families trying to provide the best care for their child with a disability and it can be exhausting. This is where an advocate can step in, to help alleviate some of that stress caused by roadblocks in our systems, especially public education, and change the course from frustration to satisfaction.
Advocate-Collaborate, LLC. is a Special Education resource working with families in Washington state.
The approach is one of both coaching and teaching. Coaching people in their rights and how to assert them. Also, teaching how to bridge the divide between family and school staff, moving beyond the "Us vs. Them" stalemate.
