Families of children with special needs and receiving special education services are sometimes unable to navigate through the world of specific terms and procedures alone. Families feel overwhelmed and sometimes frustrated in being unheard or understood correctly over their concerns and desires for their child. This frustration can lead to irrational and emotional behaviors rather than logical and productive conversations with school personnel and professionals.
In efforts to help families become more productive in their partnership with their schools and teachers, specific groups host support groups and classes to teach and empower families to enhance their effectiveness on behalf of their child's education.
Here is a listing of some of these programs and support groups:
- Brighton Center PALS Program: PALS (Parent Alliance for Learning and Support) provides classroom and hands on training to parents of children with disabilities, young adults with disabilities and communitiy members in the areas of self, IDEA and general advocacy.
- Methodist Healthcare Ministries MELD Special Program: MELD Special brings together parents of children living with a wide range of illnesses and disabilities to provide support for the specific challenges of raising a child with special needs.
- The ARC of San Antonio: The Arc’s Outreach and Family Support Services staff works with families and caregivers to develop and implement plans that address the immediate and long-term needs of children and adults with special needs eduucational options.
Additonal legal services and consulations are provided by Texas RioGrande Legal Aid and Disability Rights Texas. In March, Texas RioGrande Legal Aid, Disability Rights Texas and The San Antonio Bar Association are collaborating on a special event: "Ask A Lawyer Special Educaiton Clinic". This event will be held on Thursday March 1 at 5:30 pm at the Texas RioGrande Legal Aid office located at 1111 N.Main. At this event families will:
- Get free legal help to address the child’s Special Education needs
- Learn how to become an advocate for the child in the Special Education system
- Get free time with an attorney to help families understand the process, answer questions, and to develop a strategy for how families can approach the child’s unique educational needs.
Pre-registration is required for this event. The contact for information and registration is Cyntha Ferguson and she can be contacted by phone at (210) 212-3740
Comments