Advocacy For Parents and Teachers of Children With Special Needs and Other Tips

Here are some more tips in creating a solid base of advocacy for parents and teachers of children with special needs.

Every year it seems that the schools put out a list of required or desired school supplies for the children to bring to school with them on the first day of class. I personally love this idea however, I use the materials supplied by the parent in a very different way.

My students always arrive proud and eager to show me that they have come prepared. I praise them for being prepared but then make their day by telling them that they may keep all of their special supplies for themselves at home. Many of the students are at first confused but soon become elated when I tell them my reason for this decision.

You see in many cases my students come from low socio-economic backgrounds. For many of them, providing these materials is difficult to say the least. It is therefore a wonderful surprise to them when told that they may keep their crayons/markers, notebooks, pencils, eraser, glue sticks, etc. at home. However, there is a catch.

In order for them to be able to keep the supplies they must also take home a letter I design with instructions and advice on creating a study center within their home where they will be able to do all homework and class reading.

Within my letter to their parents I explain that I will provide all necessary materials needed by their special needs child during the year at school if they will support the 'in-home study center'. No, I am not independently wealthy, but my meager school budget does allow me to provide these things. If I ever run short of materials, I simply request a class donation from the families for say, pencils or crayons.

This method sends a very clear message on the first day of school on the importance that I place on family involvement in the students education. This 'in-home study center' provides a way for the child to be organized for each new day. It provides a place for all school related materials, assignments and any forms that may need to be returned the next day. This greatly reduces the number of lost homework papers/forms and encourages the child to want to study at home because this becomes their special place.

Thanks to local community business and church donations there are usually extra supplies for those unable to provide their own materials. I am thereby able to provide for these children as well and I have always had parents willing to follow through with the set up.

The above scenario makes for a win-win situation for all involved and creates a better relationship between student and teacher, and teacher and parent.

Everyone works better when given a clear path to follow and feels supported every step of the way. I found the same kind of support for my finances using the Money Merge Account system. It keeps all of my information in one easy place and gives me simple steps to follow to let me easily complete my tasks. Even grown ups like to have their own special place where they feel safe and can feel successful with the completion of each step in their daily living.