Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - (Page 57) education, and, ultimately, help them become better advocates for their children. Yet even advocates with good training vary widely, and so does their training. To date, there is no clear set of standards that advocates have to meet in order to hang out a shingle that says “Special Education Advocate.” “There is a wide range of individuals who practice special education advocacy in a wide range of circumstances,” says Denise Marshall, Executive Director of the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA), a non-profit group based in Towson, Md. “For a very long time, special education advocacy has been an undefined and unregulated practice. We’re working to change that.” In its ongoing efforts to define and regulate the practice, COPAA has collaborated with the University of Southern California and Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities. Together, they’ve developed a core curriculum for special education advocates, called Special Education Advocates Training (SEAT), which they piloted in California, New York, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. Now that the pilot programs are complete, says Marshall, the SEAT team is examining when to roll out the full program. Though the program creators are quick to point out that its training program is not a certifying entity, it’s clear that many in the industry see it as a critical first step toward certifying advocates. “It’s an attempt to move the practice forward,” says Marshall. “It will clarify expectations and roles, and will help elevate the practice into a recognized profession.” Until there is an established certification process—and, someday, regulations and oversight—governing special educa- tion advocates, there are two excellent sources for common-sense advice on how to choose an experienced, welltrained advocate: The COPAA web site (www.copaa.org) offers “Guidelines for Choosing a Special Education Advocate”). And the Federation for Children with Special Needs (www.fcsn.org) publishes “A Parent’s Guide to Selecting a Special Education Advocate in Massachusetts” which offers advice (see sidebar) applicable to parents and guardians everywhere. • Carla K. Binswanger, is co-creator of “My IEP ToolKit: The Complete Organizer for your Child’s Individualized Education Plan” from Organized4Kids.com. She is the parent of a child with special needs and co-chair of her school district’s Special Education Parent Advisory Committee. She is a former Associate Editor for Newsweek magazine, a Certified Professional Organizer, and speaks nationally on topics related to managing IEP paperwork, simplifying life, and reclaiming space. She can be contacted at Carla@Organized4Kids.com. http://www.copaa.org http://www.fcsn.org http://www.Organized4Kids.com http://www.exomotion.com Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Exceptional Parent - February 2010 Exceptional Parent - February 2010 Contents Ancora Imparo New Products Further Reading Movie Review Organizational Spotlight What's Happening Insight on Federal Policy. This Month's Focus: Section 504 Search & Respond The Feeding of Great Children: The Impact of Nutrition on Learning Jump with Jill - High-Energy "Rockstar Nutritionist" Jill Jayne Gets Kids Moving - And Eating Right From Diagnosis, to Life Saving Therapy, to Hollywood: The Journey of John Crowley Research Frontiers: Understanding Science, Unlocking Potential Talking Transition - An Interview with An Expert SpecialCare: Getting and Staying Organized - The Effort Pays Off in Many Ways What You Eat Can Make a Difference The Positive Impact of Specialized Diet Food Intervention: How Do I Get Started? American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry (AADMD) Who Gets to Be an Advocate? Special Needs Alliance Families Reaching Professionals Living With a Disability Exceptional Parent - February 2010 Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - Exceptional Parent - February 2010 (Page Cover1) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - Exceptional Parent - February 2010 (Page Cover2) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - Exceptional Parent - February 2010 (Page 1) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - Contents (Page 2) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - Contents (Page 3) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - Contents (Page 4) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - Contents (Page 5) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - Ancora Imparo (Page 6) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - Ancora Imparo (Page 7) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - New Products (Page 8) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - Further Reading (Page 9) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - Movie Review (Page 10) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - Organizational Spotlight (Page 11) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - What's Happening (Page 12) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - What's Happening (Page 13) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - Insight on Federal Policy. This Month's Focus: Section 504 (Page 14) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - Insight on Federal Policy. This Month's Focus: Section 504 (Page 15) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - Search & Respond (Page 16) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - Search & Respond (Page 17) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - Search & Respond (Page 18) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - Search & Respond (Page 19) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - The Feeding of Great Children: The Impact of Nutrition on Learning (Page 20) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - The Feeding of Great Children: The Impact of Nutrition on Learning (Page 21) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - Jump with Jill - High-Energy "Rockstar Nutritionist" Jill Jayne Gets Kids Moving - And Eating Right (Page 22) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - Jump with Jill - High-Energy "Rockstar Nutritionist" Jill Jayne Gets Kids Moving - And Eating Right (Page 23) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - From Diagnosis, to Life Saving Therapy, to Hollywood: The Journey of John Crowley (Page 24) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - From Diagnosis, to Life Saving Therapy, to Hollywood: The Journey of John Crowley (Page 25) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - From Diagnosis, to Life Saving Therapy, to Hollywood: The Journey of John Crowley (Page 26) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - From Diagnosis, to Life Saving Therapy, to Hollywood: The Journey of John Crowley (Page 27) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - From Diagnosis, to Life Saving Therapy, to Hollywood: The Journey of John Crowley (Page 28) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - From Diagnosis, to Life Saving Therapy, to Hollywood: The Journey of John Crowley (Page 29) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - Research Frontiers: Understanding Science, Unlocking Potential (Page 30) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - Research Frontiers: Understanding Science, Unlocking Potential (Page 31) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - Research Frontiers: Understanding Science, Unlocking Potential (Page 32) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - Research Frontiers: Understanding Science, Unlocking Potential (Page 33) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - Research Frontiers: Understanding Science, Unlocking Potential (Page 34) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - Research Frontiers: Understanding Science, Unlocking Potential (Page 35) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - Research Frontiers: Understanding Science, Unlocking Potential (Page 36) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - Talking Transition - An Interview with An Expert (Page 37) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - Talking Transition - An Interview with An Expert (Page 38) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - Talking Transition - An Interview with An Expert (Page 39) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - SpecialCare: Getting and Staying Organized - The Effort Pays Off in Many Ways (Page 40) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - SpecialCare: Getting and Staying Organized - The Effort Pays Off in Many Ways (Page 41) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - SpecialCare: Getting and Staying Organized - The Effort Pays Off in Many Ways (Page 42) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - SpecialCare: Getting and Staying Organized - The Effort Pays Off in Many Ways (Page 43) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - What You Eat Can Make a Difference (Page 44) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - What You Eat Can Make a Difference (Page 45) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - The Positive Impact of Specialized Diet (Page 46) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - The Positive Impact of Specialized Diet (Page 47) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - The Positive Impact of Specialized Diet (Page 48) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - Food Intervention: How Do I Get Started? (Page 49) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - Food Intervention: How Do I Get Started? (Page 50) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry (AADMD) (Page 51) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry (AADMD) (Page 52) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry (AADMD) (Page 53) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry (AADMD) (Page 54) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry (AADMD) (Page 55) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - Who Gets to Be an Advocate? (Page 56) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - Who Gets to Be an Advocate? (Page 57) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - Special Needs Alliance (Page 58) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - Special Needs Alliance (Page 59) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - Special Needs Alliance (Page 60) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - Special Needs Alliance (Page 61) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - Families Reaching Professionals (Page 62) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - Families Reaching Professionals (Page 63) Exceptional Parent - February 2010 - Living With a Disability (Page 64) http://www.eparentdigital.com/nxtbooks/exceptionalparent/201009 http://www.eparentdigital.com/nxtbooks/exceptionalparent/201008 http://www.eparentdigital.com/nxtbooks/exceptionalparent/201007 http://www.eparentdigital.com/nxtbooks/exceptionalparent/201006 http://www.eparentdigital.com/nxtbooks/exceptionalparent/201005 http://www.eparentdigital.com/nxtbooks/exceptionalparent/201004 http://www.eparentdigital.com/nxtbooks/exceptionalparent/201003 http://www.eparentdigital.com/nxtbooks/exceptionalparent/201002 http://www.eparentdigital.com/nxtbooks/exceptionalparent/2010rg http://www.eparentdigital.com/nxtbooks/exceptionalparent/200912 http://www.eparentdigital.com/nxtbooks/exceptionalparent/200911 http://www.eparentdigital.com/nxtbooks/exceptionalparent/200910 http://www.eparentdigital.com/nxtbooks/exceptionalparent/200909 http://www.eparentdigital.com/nxtbooks/exceptionalparent/200908 http://www.eparentdigital.com/nxtbooks/exceptionalparent/200907 http://www.eparentdigital.com/nxtbooks/exceptionalparent/200906 http://www.nxtbookMEDIA.com
For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.