There’s a moment every parent of a child with autism remembers — that first meeting where you realize you need to speak up. You want the best for your child, but the process feels overwhelming: acronyms like IEP, IPRC, accommodations, and modifications suddenly fill the conversation.
I remember that moment clearly with Demi. I walked into the meeting not knowing what to expect, my heart filled with both hope and worry. But over time, I learned that advocacy isn’t about confrontation — it’s about confidence. It’s about understanding your child’s rights and learning how to communicate them in a way that builds bridges, not barriers.
What Advocacy Really Means
Advocacy is simply speaking up to secure, protect, and advance the rights of our children. Special education students have legal rights under the Ontario Education Act and Regulation 181/98, which ensures that children with exceptionalities receive the right support in school.
Building Strong Relationships With the School
Behind every successful advocacy story is a solid relationship with the school team. Teachers, SERTs, and support staff want our kids to succeed — they just need to know how to support them best.
Parents are not bystanders in this process — we are partners. It’s our right and responsibility to ensure that our children have access to an appropriate education that helps them thrive.
Start by introducing your child beyond their diagnosis. Share their strengths, interests, and communication style. Set up a consistent communication routine — a notebook, a shared email, or even a simple check-in every Friday.
Remember, you and the teacher are teammates. When both sides communicate clearly, your child wins.
Practical Tips for Successful Advocacy
Here are a few strategies that have helped me — and many parents — advocate more effectively:
- 🎯 Be clear about what you want. If you don’t know, it’s hard for the school to help.
- 🗣 Stay calm and focus on the issue. Emotions are real, but clarity brings results.
- 🧾 Keep records. Every meeting, every email — document it all.
- 🤝 Acknowledge progress. Even small steps deserve celebration.
- 🕊 Be persistent but kind. You’re not fighting the system — you’re working within it to make it better.
Turning to God for Wisdom - At COAAMF, we know that advocacy is more than strategy — it’s also spiritual. Each month during COAAM Prays, we lift our children before God and ask for wisdom, favor, and guidance. Because while we do the work, He directs the path.
- If you’ve ever felt unheard or unsure in this journey, remember this: you are not alone. With the right knowledge, community, and prayer, you can confidently stand as your child’s greatest advocate.
- Whether your child is just starting school or already in middle grades, keep showing up. Keep learning, asking questions, and working hand in hand with teachers.
- Your child’s voice matters — and when you advocate, you amplify that voice.
- So, here’s to a new season of growth, understanding, and partnership. Together, we’re not just building better school experiences for our kids… we’re building a more inclusive world.