Tips for advocacy in school

Helping your autistic child secure the right support and opportunities is vital for their growth.

It's important for parents and carers to know how to speak up for their children effectively. By understanding your child's needs and rights, suggesting appropriate changes, and empowering them to advocate for themselves, you can ensure they enjoy full inclusion in all aspects of life.

Understanding the challenges and your child's needs

Step 1: Understanding the problem

To help your child succeed, it's important to understand the specific challenges they may be facing. For instance, if their school lacks the necessary resources to support their needs, it can impact their participation in classroom activities. By gaining a thorough understanding of these issues, you'll be better equipped to address them effectively.

Step 2: Knowing your child’s needs

It’s crucial to know exactly what your child needs, whether it’s extra help at school or specific adjustments to their learning environment. Knowing these details helps ensure that any support is right for your child.

Step 3: Deciding what you want to achieve

Once you know what your child needs, you can start to think about what you want to achieve through your advocacy. Look at all the options, even those you might not have considered. Talk to others for new ideas and perspectives. It’s important to ensure your goals are truly in your child’s best interest, considering any possible downsides and how to handle them.

Step 4: Suggesting solutions

When talking to teachers or other professionals, suggesting specific changes is more useful than just discussing problems. Approach these conversations ready to work together to find solutions that fit within the available resources. For example, you could suggest ways to adapt teaching methods that would better suit your child’s learning style. Asking direct questions about these adaptations can also clarify exactly what will be done to help your child participate fully in activities.

Top tips for effective advocacy

• Know your child’s rights: It’s crucial to understand the legal protections and rights your child has. Get to know laws and standards, like the Disability Standards for Education, which require schools to make necessary adjustments for equal opportunities. The more you know about these rights, the better you can advocate within the education system and beyond.
• Keep calm and focus on solutions: Staying calm and focused on solutions helps keep discussions positive. For example, if your child wants to participate in group activities, you might discuss specific accommodations to ensure they can join in for example, you might discuss providing a sensory-friendly environment or allowing the use of noise-cancelling headphones to help them engage without unnecessary challenges. Keeping discussions respectful and constructive makes others more open to listening and offering assistance.
• Stay organised: Being prepared is key. Keep detailed records of all interactions regarding your child’s care, including notes from meetings, emails, and phone calls. Having a clear agenda and organised records will help you manage your advocacy efforts more effectively.
• Get support: Connecting with other parents, joining support groups, or talking to professional advocates can provide both practical information and emotional support. These resources are incredibly valuable in dealing with complex issues and can strengthen your ability to speak up for your child. 

Disability advocacy organisations such as People with Disability Australia (PWDA), Children and Young People with Disability Australia (CYDA), and the Australian Federation of Disability Organisations (AFDO) can provide guidance and support tailored to the needs of students with disabilities.

Encouraging your child to speak up for themselves

• Building confidence: Teaching your child to advocate for themselves is important. Encourage them to take on appropriate responsibilities and to voice their concerns if something doesn’t seem right. Practising conversations or role-playing can be great ways to build these skills.
• Listening and backing them up: Listening to your child shows that you value their thoughts and feelings. If they face challenges because of their self-advocacy, be ready to support them. This might mean discussing issues with teachers or other adults to resolve any problems.

Where to find help

Finding the right support when advocating for your child with autism or other additional needs can make a significant difference. Across Australia, there are numerous organisations dedicated to providing assistance to families like yours. These groups offer a range of resources, from educational materials to expert advice, and can connect you with experienced advocates who understand the complexities of navigating various systems, whether educational, medical, or social.

National and state-specific advocacy organisations

• ‍Disability Advocacy Network Australia: DANA supports disability advocacy organisations across Australia. Its website can direct you to local services in your state or territory and provide a gateway to numerous advocacy resources.‍
• People with Disability Australia: This national disability rights and advocacy service offers support and information across various issues affecting people with disabilities, including support for children in educational settings.‍
• Carers Australia: Carers Australia advocates for carers across the country. They provide information, support, and advice to carers, including those looking after children with disabilities, ensuring they are supported in their roles.‍
• Community Legal Centres Australia: Provide free legal services across Australia, including advice on disability rights, discrimination issues, and other legal matters that may impact your child.‍
• Family Advocacy: Based in New South Wales, Family Advocacy is dedicated to supporting the rights and interests of people with developmental disabilities and their families. They are particularly focused on promoting children's rights within the education system and beyond.‍
• Queensland Advocacy Incorporated: An independent, community-based system and legal advocacy organisation for people with disability in Queensland. They offer help across a range of issues, including educational inclusion and legal rights.‍
• Association for Children with a Disability: This organisation operates in Victoria and provides resources and advocacy support specifically tailored for families of children with disabilities. They organise workshops, offer direct advocacy services, and provide a wealth of online resources to help you understand and assert your child's rights.‍
• Association for Children with a Disability (Tasmania): Similar to its Victorian counterpart, this organisation supports families of children with disabilities by providing information, advocacy, and education services tailored to help you navigate local systems and services.‍
• Disability Advocacy Service Inc.: provides advocacy services for individuals with disabilities in the Northern Territory. They focus on ensuring the rights and interests of people with disabilities are represented and upheld. Their services include support with the NDIS, discrimination issues, and access to necessary services and supports.‍
• Advocacy WA: Offers independent advocacy services for people with disabilities in the South West region of Western Australia. They assist individuals with a range of issues, including education, health, legal matters, and accessibility, ensuring that the rights of people with disabilities are protected and their needs are met.
  

In addition to these organisations, your local disability service provider is also a valuable resource for finding advocacy support.

By connecting with these organisations, you can gain the knowledge and support needed to effectively advocate for your child and ensure that they have access to the resources and opportunities they deserve.