Advocacy at school. For many in the special needs community, that phrase conjures images of parents breathing fire while toting armloads of files and folders into an IEP meeting or annual review. Not a pretty picture. And, if the truth be told from my vantage point as a former teacher, it's not the most effective way to advocate at school either. During my 25 years in public education, the … [Read more...]
God Has Not Forgotten You
Two years ago I walked into her math class and stood along the edge in the back, where the mom of the kid who isn't good at math stands for awards ceremonies. Over the minutes that followed, I wasn't surprised my daughter's name wasn't called. It's not that I don't believe in her, it's just that I'd seen the tears, shredded papers, broken pencils and massive meltdowns that were her experience … [Read more...]
Biblical Principles for Advocacy from the Gospel of Luke and Acts
Read below for a guest post from Ron Sandison. Ron also wrote a guest post earlier this year called "A Mom's Advocacy for Her Son." Luke, a first century follower of Christ, was a physician who wrote a two-volume set. One main theme in his writings was the importance of advocating for the poor, outcast, and innocent (Luke 1:53-54; 4:18-19). The Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts are … [Read more...]
A Mom’s Advocacy for Her Son {Guest Post}
Read below for a guest post from Ron Sandison. My development began normally until eighteen months. At that time I began to rapidly regress, losing the ability to communicate words I had previously learned and ceasing to have eye contact. Raising a son with autism began my mom’s career as an advocator. As I entered kindergarten, the school specialists labeled me as emotionally impaired. My mom … [Read more...]