Parents as Advocates An advocate is a person who speaks up for,
acts on behalf of, or supports someone else. As a parent, you
are the best person to advocate for your child because you know
his strengths and needs, likes and dislikes. Unconditional love
is a powerful motivator and it’s been proven time and again that
the squeaky wheel gets the grease. But how you squeak will
determine how much grease you get! As a parent advocate you will
find others, such as teachers and physicians, who can support
you in advocating for your child. Consider these professionals
your allies; they can use their influence to assist you in
receiving needed services and programs for your child. For
example, a family doctor could write a letter to the school
board describing the magnitude of the child’s anxiety concerning
his language immersion program to speed up his placement in a
program where he will be taught in his first language. Despite
the professional help you will seek along your advocacy journey,
you are your child’s fu