Confession #2
All advocates are different. Advocates have no licensing
board, and there is not yet an independent professional
licensing body for advocates. This means that there is no
agreed-upon standardized set of skills that would qualify one as
an advocate. Advocates can get training and sometimes
certificates from professional groups or private professionals.
Unfortunately, though, anyone can call him- or herself an
advocate. This means buyer beware.
Generally, there are two types of advocates—those who enter
the field following a career in special education, usually as
teachers, and those who fall naturally into the role of advocacy
after they have secured success for their own children’s special
needs following a long fight with the schools. I fall into the
former category, although it was only a few years into my
practice when I found myself advocating for my own son’s
special needs. Advocates often have different ways of practicing.
While there are those who prefer to show up to meetings
unannounced, I always call ahead and let an administrator know
that I am coming. I also meet and interview the child—after I
first read all the background material available about his or her
situation. Different advocates have different styles and
practices. Parents and school administrators must feel free to
ask about an advocate’s style, background, and experience.
Confession #2All advocates are different. Advocates have no licensingboard, and there is not yet an independent professionallicensing body for advocates. This means that there is noagreed-upon standardized set of skills that would qualify one asan advocate. Advocates can get training and sometimescertificates from professional groups or private professionals.Unfortunately, though, anyone can call him- or herself anadvocate. This means buyer beware.Generally, there are two types of advocates—those who enterthe field following a career in special education, usually asteachers, and those who fall naturally into the role of advocacyafter they have secured success for their own children’s specialneeds following a long fight with the schools. I fall into theformer category, although it was only a few years into mypractice when I found myself advocating for my own son’sspecial needs. Advocates often have different ways of practicing.While there are those who prefer to show up to meetingsunannounced, I always call ahead and let an administrator knowthat I am coming. I also meet and interview the child—after Ifirst read all the background material available about his or hersituation. Different advocates have different styles andpractices. Parents and school administrators must feel free toask about an advocate’s style, background, and experience.
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