You Are Your Child's Voice

Some children have countless appointments. Whether it is a routine appointment, or a specialist appointment, as the parent we are our child’s voice.  As a parent we have to be proactive and take care of our children. Whether your child has a medical condition, disability, or developmental delay, a parent has to advocate for their child: you are their voice.

Tips on advocating:
 

• Be informed. If you have a diagnosis or get a new diagnosis, research it. The more you know, the more proactive you can be to your child.
• Work closely and have a good relationship with those who take care of -- or work with -- your child. If it is a doctor’s office, make sure they have all the current tests and information about your child. The pediatrician is a great foundation: make certain they have all the test results, diagnoses and referring-doctor’s information.
• It is a parent’s job to research and know what vaccine our children are due for at the next visit. If you do not want your child to have two vaccines at a time, you have the right to talk to the doctor about it and spread the vaccine process out.
• You have the right to ask questions, or call back if you think of questions later. If your child is getting blood drawn and the nurse can’t seem to get it, you have the right to stop it and ask to have your child warmed up, or have someone else draw blood.
• Have one location, like a folder or care notebook, where you keep your child’s pertinent information, such as appointment dates, hospital stays, test results, doctors and phone numbers, even school information. It all goes together and it’s helpful to have that information in one location. I like having directions to the doctors or hospitals in my son’s care notebook. If there is an emergency I will not need to look up directions, they are already printed.
• Don’t be afraid to ask questions of your doctor, teacher, or anyone working with your child. The more you communicate the better. Everyone can be on the same page.
• Become familiar with the rules and regulations that apply to your child’s special education program. You may request copies of the regulations from your local school district office (the special education office, if your district has one) or from your state Department of Education.
• Know your child’s strengths and weaknesses and share them with others. Try and keep it positive.
• As your child matures, teach them to advocate for themselves. They were there while you were advocating for them. They can learn how to communicate with their doctors and teachers. For instance, if they’re having a hearing problem, they should ask to sit up closer or on a particular side of the room; by letting the teacher know, they will be advocating for themselves.
• Realize that advocating for your child takes work -- and time. In the end it is better for you and your child.
• Don’t forget to take care of yourself. Join support groups, or go to classes that can help you through the hard times. Educating and taking care of yourself will help your child.
• Remember to love and care for your child. When they are young, they do not understand what is going on.  Love and reassurance can go a long way.
   

Source: http://www.ehow.com/how_4852729_childs-medical-advocate.html http://www.theparentaladvocate.com/10-ways-to-advocate.htm
First Published in Parent to Parent of Lewis County