036 - Advocating For Our Kids Educational Needs with Sarah Young

Welcome to "Parenting the Intensity!"

In this episode, host Anouk sits down with special guest Sarah Young, a homeschooling mom and parent advocacy coach, to discuss the critical topic of advocating for children's needs, especially when faced with the complexities of obtaining special accommodations and support in school. Sarah shares her personal journey of advocating for her children, offering practical tips and strategies for navigating the educational system and empowering parents to stand up for their children's rights. Join us as we delve into the world of advocacy, understanding individual needs, and building partnerships with educators to create the best outcomes for our exceptional children.

3 Key Takeaways:

1️⃣ Advocacy Without a Diagnosis: Navigating Access to Services: Advocacy is essential in accessing services for children without a formal diagnosis, as waiting lists for public services can be lengthy and evaluations may require the child to struggle before receiving necessary references. Sarah emphasizes the importance of standing up for children's needs through proactive communication with schools and healthcare providers.

2️⃣ Empowering parents with Strategies for School Support: Anouk and Sarah stress the need for open communication and creative solutions for children's needs in schools, and Sarah shares strategies for effective communication and documentation.

3️⃣ Tailoring Support to Individual Children's Needs: Sarah discusses her experience advocating for her child’s accommodations and emphasizes the need for understanding individual children's needs, regardless of formal diagnoses.

"Advocating for your child and understanding that whether you have a diagnosis or not, you still have rights and your child still is entitled to all the support and understanding they should have."

Connect with Sarah:

Website: https://www.sarahyoungllc.com/calmingthechaos

The Calming the Chaos Collective: https://www.facebook.com/TheCalmingTheChaosCollective

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/calming_the_chaos_collective/

Resources mentioned:

ADHD and Autism: Support for Neurodivergent Moms and Kids (aheartforallstudents.com)

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Music by Oleksii Kaplunskyi from Pixabay