Books
The art of advocacy : a parent’s guide to a collaborative IEP process
Charmaine Thaner
C. Thaner, 2015
This book shares how to be a more effective advocate for your own child.
Call#: HV 40 .T3671 2015
Case studies in building equity through family advocacy in special education : a companion volume to Meeting families where they are
Lydia Ocasio-Stoutenburg
Teachers College Press, 2021
This book traces the advocacy journeys of 12 caregivers across a range of racial, ethnic, social, disability, economic, and family identities. The stories reflect the unique lives, histories, and needs of each family, as well as the different approaches they employ to meet the needs of their children.
Call#: LC 4031 .O152 2021
The complete IEP guide : how to advocate for your special ed child
Lawrence Siegel
NOLO, 2020
This book includes eligibility rules and assessments; working with outside experts; developing your child’s ideal educational program; preparing for and attending IEP meetings, resolving disputes with school districts, and more.
Call#: KF 4209.3 .S57 2020
The everyday advocate: how to stand up for your autistic child
Areva Martin
New American Library, 2010
A nationally recognized autism advocate provides step-by-step instructions to parents raising and advocating for a child with autism, and explains how to safeguard the rights of their special-needs children both in and out of school.
Call#: KF 4209.3 .M3791 2010
The Everything Parent’s guide to Special Education: A complete Step by Step Guide to Advocating for your child with Special needs
Amanda Morin
Adams Media, 2014
Children with special needs who succeed in school have one thing in common– their parents are passionate and effective advocates. Morin helps you learn how to evaluate, prepare, organize, and get quality services, no matter what your child’s disability.
Call#: LC 3981 .M8253 2014
Also available as an eBook
How to advocate successfully for your child : what every parent should know about special education law
Greer Gurland
Gurland Education Law Group, 2016
Written by a parent and special education attorney, this book provides information on eligibility, IEPs, 504 plans, documentation, mediation, due process, and advocacy.
Call#: KF 4209.3 .G963 2016
Introducing advocacy : the first book of speaking up : a plain text guide to advocacy
John Tufail
Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2007
This book is written for people with disabilities who want to develop advocacy skills for themselves and their peers or partners. With a minimum of jargon, this gives readers basic theories and practices of different types of advocacy, including campaign and citizen advocacy, crisis or intervention advocacy, volunteer and non-directed advocacy as well as tips on planning circles, health complaints advocacy and self-advocacy.
Call#: HV 40 .T9141 2007
Special education law and policy : from foundation to application
Jacqueline Rodriguez & Wendy Murawski
Plural Publishing, 2022
This book provides a framework for understanding and implementing the law as it applies to students with disabilities and their families.
Call#: KF 4209.3 .R63 2022
Team up for your child : a step-by-step guide to working smarter with doctors, schools, insurers, and agencies
Wendy Low Besmann
Melton Hill Media, 2008
Getting services for a child with behavioral health needs-from ADHD to autism to psychiatric and developmental problems-can be overwhelming. This is a step-by-step guide to working smarter with medical, behavioral health, and educational professionals.
Call#: WS 107.5 .R5 B555 2008
Videos
Knowing Your Rights And Advocating For Your Child
Early CHOICES, 2022
This video discusses the importance of knowing your rights as a family in early intervention and beyond in order to advocate for your child & family. This is video 2 of a 5-part series co-sponsored by Early CHOICES, Family Matters, and the Illinois Early Intervention Clearinghouse.
Organizations
Family Matters Parent Training & Information Center
Family Matters provides disability-related information, referrals, telephone consultation, parent trainings, a lending library, and more for families of students and adults with disabilities. Live and online conferences, workshops, and other events are available. Family Matters serves all Illinois counties except Cook, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will.
Family Resource Center on Disabilities
The Family Resource Center on Disabilities provides parents of children with disabilities with information, training, and assistance through workshops, phone trainings, and community outreach. FRCD serves Cook, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kendal, Lake, McHenry, and Will Counties in Illinois.
Articles
Exceptionality, 30(3): 157-172
The Meaning and Nature of Parental Advocacy in the Early Years
Kristen Schraml-Block & Michaelene Ostrosky (2021)
This article describes a study that explored the meaning and advocacy experiences of caregivers of infants and toddlers with delays or disabilities by interviewing family members who participate in early intervention.
Young Exceptional Children, 25(3), 158-166
Using the EI/ECSE Standards to Inform Families’ Expectations and Advocacy Efforts
Chelsea Guillen, et al. (2022)
This article demonstrates how the Early Intervention / Early Childhood Special Education (EI/ECSE) Standards could help families know what to expect in EI/ECSE and support families as informed partners and advocates for their children.
You Are Your Child’s Best Advocate
Meghan Burke (2019)
Illinois Early Intervention Clearinghouse Newsletter
This article provides information on both proactive and reactive advocacy, along with ways to advocate in an educational setting, a medical setting, and in general.
Family Stories
This collection of short vignettes describe families’ experiences in Illinois early intervention. Readers can learn about the EI team, advocating for your child, and the importance of connecting with the right resources.
Web Resources
Advocating for Your Child
This short article describes different types of advocates and the role of advocates in supporting children with disabilities.
The EIC created a series of 4 tip sheets to help you think about advocacy in different settings. Share these tip sheets with families or colleagues. Titles include:
- How to Advocate for Your Child While Taking Care of Yourself – describes the importance of taking care of yourself while being the best advocate for your child
- How to Advocate for Your Child in Childcare Settings – describes important factors to consider when your child is participating in a childcare setting
- How to Advocate for Your Child in Medical Settings – describes the importance of working collaboratively with professionals while educating yourself and sharing your expertise on your child
- How to Advocate for Your School-Aged Child with a Disability – describes four ways to advocate for your child during home-school interactions