Although family-centeredness is a tenet of early intervention, families often report struggling to meaningfully participate in decision-making. To increase family involvement, in the United States Parent Training and Information Centers (PTIs) and service coordinators are charged with educating and empowering families to advocate for their…

This study aimed to shed light on the attributes of parents who advocate fiercely for inclusion and how these attributes impact education placement. Questions guiding this study were: What are the distinctive attributes of parents of children with multiple support needs that equip them to advocate for inclusive education settings? How do parents…

The disproportionality of African American male students diagnosed with disabilities and placed in special education services compared to their White counterparts raises questions about how students are identified for testing, assessed, and placed into special education in public schools. This study explores the special education placement…

An educational advocate, also known as a parent advocate, child advocate, student advocate, or independent advocate, assists parents of students with disabilities in navigating the complex world of special education. This brief guide will help parents: (1) ask interview questions that will help get an understanding of an advocate's approach to…

Children and adolescents with dyslexia are at greater risk for academic failure and socioemotional problems than their non-dyslexic peers. However, researchers have suggested that individuals with dyslexia can benefit from a strong support system. Further, researchers have noted that mothers are integral to their child's support system. However,…

Some parents and caregivers, frustrated by low academic performance of their local school, emphasis on testing, or the content of the curriculum, have worked independently or formed parent groups to speak out and demand improvements. Parents and families enact solutions such as opting out of tests, developing alternative curricula, invoking parent…

The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) is the most widely ratified human rights treaty in history, yet the United States has failed to ratify it, despite the efforts of countless supporters. Opponents of ratification in the United States have been effective at preventing ratification by asserting that the CRC will damage family…

Navigating the parenting role is tricky at the best of times but, finding one's way with a child that has special needs is even more demanding and difficult. This is a path that may not have been traveled by family and friends. Loneliness, disappointment, frustration, and a sense of failure can make the journey miserable. The challenges can become…

The information packet focuses on the role of the surrogate parent with emphasis on the rights of the handicapped child as mandated by P.L. 94-142, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act. Included are the following: a discussion of 10 surrogate parent issues identified through a literature search and survey of five states (Connecticut,…

The mother of a multiply handicapped child relates how her attitude and approach to life changed from being passive to that of being assertive in obtaining services for her daughter. Initial reactions upon hearing of her child's handicaps are recounted, and steps to take in dealing with professionals are considered. (SBH)

The directory lists 123 local or state parent groups for gifted children in 37 states. Groups are listed alphabetically by name under each state. Provided for each listing is name and address; a contact person (name, address, and phone number); an additional contact person; membership number; organization focus; examples of past and present…

This fact sheet uses a question-and-answer format to address concerns that parents of children with a disability may have concerning their child's continuing eligibility for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Questions and answers explain the following topics: how children now qualify as "disabled" and the new standards; when Social…

This fact sheet, in Spanish, uses a question-and-answer format to address concerns that parents of children with a disability may have concerning their child's continuing eligibility for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Questions and answers explain the following topics: how children now qualify as "disabled" and the new standards;…

The article provides information to assist parent advocates in improving gifted education, suggesting that you should: know yourself and where you stand; know what you are facing; know the law; know who's who in the school system; and know when, where, and how to contact people in education. (JDD)

The booklet describes PARENTS TRAIN PARENTS, a project in which parents of handicapped children help other parents understand their rights and responsibilities under state and federal laws. The booklet is intended to help potential adopters modify program aspects for local settings. The model is analyzed in terms of user concerns, program…