Advocating Tips

If you ask me what makes me tired, I will often tell you it is the paperwork associated with being a special needs mum, the advocating to ensure Owen gets what he needs and we as a family get what we need too.  All that takes an extraordinary amount of time and energy.

I thought I would share a few tips I have picked up along the way, in the hope it helps you.  It is not fail-proof but it might help.  

Advocating Tips

Prepare
Read any rules or policies associated with what you are advocating for ie, enrolment policies, service guidelines/principles, transport policies, patient care guidelines etc.  Get to know the terminology, phrases and words they use.  If you aren't very good with that sort of thing, ask a friend or another special needs parent to help.

Take off your parent hat
This is really important.  You need to take the emotion out of it.  You need to consider the facts.  You need to put yourself on the other side, the side that is making the decision.  You need to match your child's needs up with the rule or policy you have just read.  Are they entitled to it? If they are outside of the guidelines, how much of a exception are you asking them to make?  Is that a reasonable exception?  What are the tangible benefits of the exception both for your child and the provider.  Is there any other way?   

Get evidence (in need)
This could be a therapist, dr or nurse report that backs up your request.

Put it in writing
Firstly don't get personal and be polite.  Treat them how you would like to be treated.   Put it all down.  Link it to the policies, use the same terms the policy/procedures uses.  Use dot points (if you can) to make it easier to read.  Include the benefits for your child and your provider.  If you are asking them to go outside a policy, tell them you know you are making such a request but also tell them why it is critical to do so and why there is no other valid way.  Tell them how you came to that conclusion.  Be specific and factual. Include any evidence you have organised.   Remember the person you are talking to or writing to are doing their job and 99.9% of the time want to help you so give them everything they need to be able to say yes to your request.   Let them know what you want and when you anticipate hearing by.   

Good luck!