Be a Child Advocate

There is no substitute for a parent's insights about the small nuances and details that make the child a unique individual. To be a truly effective advocate, you must have a good understanding of your child's strengths and weaknesses from both a "clinical" and a personal perspective. Beyond that, it is vital to communicate your knowledge about your child and his or her needs to educators and other professionals.

Being an effective advocate for your child requires:

• Fully understanding your child's strengths, weaknesses, and specific needs.
• Becoming informed about educational rights, how the system works, and what resources are available.
• Involving the child in the planning and decision-making process, to demonstrate unequivocally that you are on the same side all the way.

Communicate Effectively

The most effective advocacy is a collaborative effort, not a battle between parents and educators. The parent who is assertive, considerate, and respectful in communicating information and requesting services will likely make more progress than one who goes in with an aggressive or confrontational stance.

Involve Your Child

Certainly, the most important person in this process is your child. It can be upsetting for a child of any age to be singled out for special interventions, but even worse when the reasons are not clear to them and they don't feel included in the process. Their parents and teachers are making special plans for them and asking them to do things that none of their friends have to do! Younger children may internalize some feelings of shame and a sense of being "bad." Some older children may feel labeled or stigmatized and react with resentment and noncompliance.

It is always better to feel like a participant, not a pawn. Even very young children are accepting of interventions when the reasons and benefits are explained in a way that makes sense to them.

Equally important is the family's attitude towards advocacy and interventions. It's not enough to provide discipline and guidance ("it's time to start working on your homework; turn the TV off."). Let your child see you in the role of cheerleader and knight in shining armor ("I believe in you, I want the best for you, I'm behind you all the way."). Educational interventions always work best when children see their family as a source of unflagging support.

Understanding Your Rights

This section provides basic information on federal laws affecting the rights of children with ADHD.

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