In an entry in her journal, a blogger identified as Liadra argues that there ought to be a system of advocates for children and youth with Learning Disabilities. Writing about her neice who dropped out of school before completing 9th grade (Canada), she wrote (typos in original):
There wasn’t anyone who advocated for this child. I didn’t know she’d been assessed for these things. I couldn’t offer advice. I suspect it was while she was with FC&S, but even so, they obviously didn’t advocate fully as no plan was put into place attending to all her needs. Her mother, who she is now living with, isn’t in any position to advocate for her daughter (even if she is the best damn manipulator I’ve ever known in my life), so this kid accepted the diagnosis, the failure, and left school.
I want to know why there aren’t any third party agencies mandated to help with this. Acgencies with no other agenda than to make certain you know and understand your rights.
In the comments following the post, there are suggestions about how an agency could have served this purpose and how parents are the best advocates for children. The idea raises a host of interesting questions (e.g., Under what conditions would an advocate be appointed?) that the participants discuss.
Link to the original entry and the discussion.
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