Tuesday, 28 June 2011

• Importance of Advocacy Training

  

  Advocacy is good for our kids, but many of didn’t realize that it is good for parents, too. A new study completed by doctoral student Michelle Reynolds for the University of Missouri cites that parents who take advocacy courses become stronger and more confident advocates for their children with disabilities. Among the main benefits of advocacy for parents are:

  A decrease in intimidation. Confident advocates felt less likely to be afraid to express their options and disagree when dealing with medical and educational staff.

  Hopefulness about the future. Parents learn how to navigate the maze of organizations, manage transitions and learn about success stories of children who have ‘made it’ in the real world.

  A sense of community. Parents can also rely on each other, thus lessening the sense of isolation that many of us face.

  More respect for our children. Sidelining the focus on ‘fixing’ our kids, we learn how to celebrate their individuality, while identifying and meeting their needs.

  The increase in control, hopefulness and community help reduce the oft-mentioned symptoms of combat-fatigue which parents of children with disabilities encounter due to fear, worry, isolation and guilt. Advocacy training marks a transformative experience where parents obtain an increased sense of control and learn to feel better about themselves and about the future for their children.

   

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