Negotiation Skills For Parents: Negotiation Tips

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You don't have to negotiate on your own. Advocacy groups like the Ohio Legal Rights Service can help you.
Try to give your school officials the chance to resolve problems at the lowest level possible.
Keep notes of every communication you have with the school: date and time, with whom you talked, and what was said.
Know which services the school must provide by law, and services the school does not have to provide.
Remain calm during meetings. Take a break before your emotions get the best of you and hurt your child's cause.
When presenting a new idea, support your team with examples where your idea has been tried in practice and has succeeded.
If you need an expert to support you, try to choose a person the IEP team knows and respects.
If you disagree with the school's views of your child, ask for documentation or an independent evaluator.
Ask the right person at the right time for supports your child and teacher need for a successful IEP.
Be aware of the gap between the school's core beliefs and your own, and ways to bridge the gap.
If the school has a lawyer present at a meeting, you should too. Contact the Ohio Legal Rights Service for referrals or representation.