What
People Are Saying . . .
"From Emotions to Advocacy is the best, practical, informative,
empathetic book on the market. It's amazing and thrilling to be
an advocate for 15 years, to read FETA, and feel the thrill of
'Oh, my God! that is so true', and to be able to sharpen my skills."
Fran, New Hampshire
"You
have given me the courage and strength to get an appropriate program
for my autistic son. Your law book is my bible!" -- Susan
Read more
reviews, Introduction,
SMART
IEPs Chapter
From
Emotions to Advocacy (FETA is more than a book. FETA has a
companion web site at FetaWeb
with articles, checklists, and resources that supplement the book.
How
the Book is Organized
Section
One is “Getting Started.”
You will learn:
•
Basic advocacy skills
• Supplies you need to get started
• How to develop a master plan for your child’s education
• How to act as your child’s special education project
manager
Section
Two is “Advocacy 101.”
In this section, you will learn about:
•
Schools as bureaucracies and the rules of the game
• Obstacles to success – school culture, myths, gatekeepers,
and emotions
• Common causes of conflict
• Steps you can take to prevent or resolve problems
• Events that trigger parent-school crises
Section
Three is “The Parent as Expert.”
In this section, you will learn:
•
Why you must become an expert about your child’s disability
and educational needs
• How to organize your child’s file, step by step
• How to use information from tests to understand your child’s
disability
• How to use test scores to monitor and measure your child’s
progress
• How to write SMART IEP goals and objectives
Section
Four is “Special Education Law.”
In
this section, you will learn about:
•
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
• Findings and purposes of the IDEA
• Definitions in the IDEA
• Extended school year (ESY), child find, least restrictive
environment (LRE), private placements, and statewide assessments
• Evaluations, eligibility, IEPs, and placement
• Prior written notice, procedural safeguards, mediation, due
process hearings, appeals, discipline, and age of majority
• Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA)
• Family Educational Records and Privacy Act (FERPA)
Section
Five is “Tactics and Strategies.”
In
this section, you will learn about:
•
The “Rules of Adverse Assumptions,” proof and evidence,
and image and presentation
• How to use logs, calendars, and journals to create paper
trails
• How to write effective letters
• How to write a persuasive “Letter to the Stranger”
• How to use problem worksheets, parent agendas, visual aids,
and graphs
• Roles of experts
• Pros and cons of tape recording meetings
• How to use problem resolution worksheets and post-meeting
thank you letters
Appendices
•
Appendix A to the special education regulations about IEPs, the
parental role, and transition
• Frequently asked questions about special education
• Summary of your rights and responsibilities
• State Departments of Special Education by state
• Parent Training Information Centers by state
• Sources of information about disabilities and special education
• Sources of legal information
• Free publications to help you be a more effective advocate
for your child
• Sample letters and worksheets that you can tailor to your
needs
Glossaries
Special Education and Legal Terms
Assessment
Terms
Wrightslaw:
From Emotions
to Advocacy - The Special Education Survival Guide (ISBN 1-892320-08-8)
is published by Harbor House
Law Press. The book will be available in bookstores in May 2002.
