Wrightslaw: From Emotions to Advocacy: The Special Education Survival Guide

by Peter W.D. Wright

From Emotions to Advocacy, second edition will teach you how to plan, prepare, organize and get quality special education services. In this comprehensive, easy-to-read book, you will learn about your child's disability and educational needs, how to create a simple method for organizing your child's file and devising a master plan for your child's special education. You will understand parent-school conflict, how to create paper trails and effective letter writing. This book includes dozens of worksheets, forms and sample letters that you can tailor to your needs. Whether you are new to special education or an experienced advocate this book will provide a clear roadmap to effective advocacy for your child. You will use this book again and again.

Genres: Education, Nonfiction, Parenting, Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Reference, Self Help, Leadership

311 pages, Paperback

Expected publication January 1, 2066

About the author

Pete & Pam Wright, the founders of Wrightslaw, were Adjunct Professors of Law at the William & Mary Law School.

Pete, an attorney who struggled with learning disabilities, dyslexia, dysgraphia, ADHD, won a landmark victory when he successfully represented Shannon Carter before the Supreme Court in Florence Cty v. Carter, 510 U.S. 7.

Pam, a psychotherapist with training & experience in clinical psychology/social work has worked with children and families since the 1970s.

Reviews

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Tons of useful information and suggestions. Would recommend to anyone struggling with a uncooperative public school. Which is probably every special education parent at one point or another. I love the wrights law books.

[Hey Nurse · Rating 5 out of 5]

For any family to use on their unpredictable road map.
Courage and strength to all my Autism Families out there!

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was recommended by a friend who was farther along the advocacy path than I was. It was a great place to get started on understanding what it means to advocate for your child in the special education system. My daughter has a severe disability, and I felt this book was directed mainly towards parents with children who had less severe issues, but I still learned a lot. I was able to make a "master plan" for my daughter that looks ahead to her future after school is finished, which was an important step towards prioritizing goals and making the best use of the limited resources the school has to offer. I learned a great deal about special education law, which was very helpful in understanding the framework that teachers and administrators operate within. There was also a lot of great advice about documenting contacts with the school and agreements that are made so that it's possibly to successfully follow up later. I found many of the suggestions for successful negotiations with the school to be very helpful. That said, there were some parts of the book that seem dated, not taking into account how people rely much more now on more casual electronic communication, for example. On the whole though, I highly recommend this book to anyone who, like me, had a "feeling that things weren't right" at school but has no idea where to start to fix it.

[Rachel chavez · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s great book for those are struggling with IEPS or the schools. Lots of helpful information

[Elizabeth (NC) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted this book to be more than it was. I think it gave some very good strategies, especially in documenting and preparing for meetings, but it makes me sad that it assumes an adversarial relationship with the school. I have been to a few IEP meetings away from school as a family support and advocate for kids and I do realize that many schools follow practices that are outlined in this book. I did not like, however, that there was no concession that if you are lucky, you will run across schools that do not operate in this manner. I would like to think that most schools do not, but I don't have a lot of experience with different schools. I also felt that the information was superficial. It is an OK introduction, but I was left with questions that I do not feel that it addressed. I was hoping to find a book to recommend to parents to help them as they move through the system, but I don't think that this book is it.

[Catherine Mikkelsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the books that I've recommended most to parents through the years. It's short, sweet, and tells you how to get your child supported in schools. Not only that, but it tells you how to manage relationships with professionals you'll run into in the school system.

The Wrightslaw website can be intimidating, but this is a wonderful introduction to how to get your child an IEP. Read it. I know too many families who are spending tens of thousands of dollars, paying for their children's education, when they didn't need to.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing resource to take away anxiety/emotion in school meetings. Lots of good tips to prepare as well as IEP and 504 Laws with commentary in clear language. A friend lent this to me and I wish I had had it for my first 2 meetings that I was taken my surprise at. I like the idea of bringing a parent agenda as well as copies for everyone (try to send in advance). Also, having clear things to ask for and the school's response.

[Whitney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book to any parent or guardian that has a child with an IEP or 504. This book gives you so much more insight that the public school system will. You’ll feel totally prepared for any meetings.

[Sophie Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extremely helpful but as most legal text go...very dry. A necessary guide if you must advocate for those you love.

[Lynsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

AWESOME book and resource for this area of schooling. SO glad I read it and will reference it lots!!

[Kassandra Levay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good primer

[Michelle Angelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a MUST for those with special needs children in the school system.
Highly recommend.

[Latrisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I purchased this book in an effort to truly start to understand the IEP process for my son that was starting Kindergarten. I believe that it has helped to set the stage for how I work with the school and has as a result helped to foster a good working relationship. My ISFP meeting was 20 minutes, and I spent most of it crying. My initial IEP meeting, equally short because I didn't understand what was happening. This year, I decided that I needed to stop crying and start actively participating. And it made all the difference in the world. I've been able to follow many of the suggestions and have a very solid IEP for my son this year. I carry this book with me everywhere and recommend it to all of my friends that need guidance.

The organizational tips and the explanations of how test scores should be read were eye opening. My IEP for Kindergarten was 3 hours long... not including the amendment. I love my son's new teacher and we're working together in a great and effective manner. The communication back and forth is all in writing and I'm feeling very comfortable asking questions, making suggestions and working with the staff to meet his needs.

[Audra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Updating my review.

Very good information on SMART goals relating to IEPs. Most schools do not know how to write IEPs and if a parent knows what an IEP should include, he or she will be one step ahead of the game. Also provides key information on negotiating with school officials and teachers. The goal is not to get the school personnel to admit they are "wrong," which is what a lot of parents want. The goal is to get them to provide useful services for the child. There is also invaluable information on starting a file on your child and how to maintain it.

Basic information is also provided on parent/student rights. A lot of school personnel are not aware of special education law. Someone who reads this book will know as much as, if not more than, those personnel.

Hopefully this book will be updated soon to reflect the recent Supreme Court decision regarding a free and appropriate public education.

[SparksofEmber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every family who even suspects their child may need special education should read this book before starting down that path. This book will guide you from day one to make sure you understand every step and have all your t's crossed and i's dotted. We've been dealing with special education for 5 years and are now kicking ourselves for having been so uninformed and complacent for so long. I originally picked up From Emotions to Advocacy from the library and ordered a copy of my own from Amazon before I was even halfway through. It's much of the information currently available at the Wrights Law website but organized and presented in a very helpful manner. I find the website somewhat overwhelming and confusing. The book is also very well written - very easy to understand and vastly informative. Highly, highly recommended.

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a parent with a 504 or IEP, or are even just a teacher this book is such a brilliant source of practical, easy to understand. If you are a parent of an identified child - KNOW YOUR RIGHTS!!!! Schools are notorious for doing as little as possible. They hardly listen to a parent that doesn't come armed with an advocate/attorney and/or their ability to advocate successfully for their child. Take the emotions out, remember that's it's not about you, it's about the child. As an educator, you also have to understand the concept of a Chevy - v - Cadillac. You may want that Cadillac, but if the Chevy will put your child on the same level footing as their peers, that is what will be provided

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A set-up for success. I read it when my son was in first grade (when everything was going well). I followed the organizational path set out within its pages. When my son went through second grade and his school began falsifying documentation/support times and letting him slide into the background, they got quite a 'reality check' at his annual meeting. This book set the path for me to achieve the moon without even going into mediation! This is the book I suggest to any parent when they first approach me for advice.

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent resource for the IEP process. I feel that so many parents are unaware of their ability to advocate for their children and don't know that they have the power to push back against schools' decisions. It's intimidating to go against a school, especially when you don't understand the laws completely or are unsure of what to request. This book walks you through the entire process and is filled with advice designed to help you get the support your child needs. I recommend this for any parent that believes their child needs an IEP.

[Alana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is actually a great book for parent's of children with any type of developmental issues. It explains the IEP/IPP process and how to get what you want without getting too emotional and irrate. I wish I had read this before Tyler's first IEP. I would have done alot less yelling. Although I have to say I did get him what he needed regardless. Great book.

[Chris Powless · Rating 5 out of 5]

A MUST HAVE for any parent with a child k-12 who might go into or already has a 504 plan or an IEP. Full of how to and don't advice to parents. Before we read this book we like most parents stumbled along taking advice from school "professionals". Now we know WE row the boat, we understand the lingo and our son is being provided FAPE

[Lauren Hidden · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great reference book. I've been dealing with IEPs for the last 5 years, and wish I had gotten it back then. Some people have criticized that the book is too basic, but it's certainly a great starting point, and unless you're approaching litigation with a school, it may be all that you need.

[Jeannette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a must-have for anyone facing the IEP process. It walks you through the whole thing, offering helpful tips and resources. By the end, I felt really empowered as the parent and organizer of my child's IEP. It will definitely be a book I will refer to often.

[Ayoca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book can be very helpful to both parents and teachers. It contains a lot of helpful information, letters, checklist and a lot more! I read it once, but look back at it occasionally for insight or answers to questions that I have forgotten or don't know.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you're a parent in need of help navigating the world of Individualized Education Plans and Section 504, this is a pretty good book. I think the authors go into too much detail in some areas that aren't vital for a parent to know, but they do cover educational law and IEP meetings very well.

[Mary Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must have for any parent of a child receiving special education services. The Wrightslaw books, seminars, website and free e-newsletter are all great supports for educating parents about how to help their child get the support they need at school. Visit wrightslaw.com for more info!

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gave us the critical information we needed to advocate for our son educational needs in the public school system. We also learned valuable tools to teach or son to self advocate for himself in the classroom while learning with the challenges of dyslexia.

[Rachel Conley-Pratt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an EXCELLENT resource on navigating the world of special education! I received this book when I attended a Wrightslaw training and I refer to it on a regular basis. If you have a child in special education, or work in the field, this is a MUST HAVE!

[Carolyn D'Argenio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good for parents who are facing the IEP/504 process. It can be intimidating, and this book helps parents understand the procedural components so they may navigate the process objectively. The sample letters are a great.

[Purl Scout · Rating 5 out of 5]

a really great way to research your child's education rights. accompany this book with wrightlaw.com

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

A handy reference.