Autism: Speak Up for your Rights!

Video addressed to parents of autistic children.

The video was inspired by accounts form parents who explained all the tricks they used to fight the education authorities to get a suitable school placement for their child.

Having been through this and other similar situations myself, I can guaranty that everything will be done to oppose your decisions as a parent. In other words, we will have to fight for every single right no matter how small. In order to do this more effectively there are some things to absolutely avoid and others to do. Any weakness will be used, but even strength is a weakness, because if you show that you know more than they do, it will shed an uncomfortable light onto them. Here are a few tips...

Please comment- I will be adding a scene of the parents coming in with husband/partner, as this brings a lot more weight to the case, especially because parents are always outnumbered in meeting like this. Have you ever walked in a room alone and sat at a table with 12 professional of some sort? If you do not have a partner, borrow a male friend.

Weak points some parents may convey: depression, anger, tiredness, disorganization, too much emotions, insufficient knowledge of issues at stake (some of the time), feeling powerless, looking rough and run down.

These will be used against you, find the way to change all of these for any important meeting regarding your child, if you are unsure, bring an advocate, and ideally, always have a witness with you.

PS: I am still making many mistakes in my interviews, but there is hope for progress!

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• autism
• PDD-NOS
• Asperger
• Right
• disability
• authority
• advocacy
• family
• parents

[Skymaker69]

@KimberlyMahurin Thanks for sharing your experience and good luck. L

[KimberlyMahurin]

Great video!! Reminds me of when I went through it . My son was very bad off in the beginning and I was run down. My first IEP meeting I had a lawyer there with me who was well known specializing in the autistic community and special ed. Then each IEP I would ask if it was ok she were there. I never had to have her there again. On occasion I would have her look at the IEP to make sure I was getting what I needed for my son.