Top 5 Resources for Back to School

Bianca Rodriguez, family advocate case manager on the Autism Center Family Resources team, shares her favorite tips and resources for back to school.

As the new school year approaches, parents and caregivers may have questions about how to navigate special education resources for their child with autism. This post highlights 5 helpful special education resources in Washington state, including tips on how to advocate for your child in a school setting.

Office of the Education Ombuds (OEO)

The Office of the Education Ombuds (OEO) is an agency within the governor’s office created by the Washington State Legislature in 2006. This agency is dedicated to resolving complaints, disputes and problems between parents, caregivers and public schools. They are specifically focused on knowing parents’ rights regarding special education. Anyone can contact OEO about a school-related issue or concern. They can be reached by phone or email, or by completing an intake online.

The OEO website has great resources and tools for families, such as clear articles about student rights and district responsibilities covering many different situations, and sample letters to request a special education evaluation or ask to schedule an IEP meeting.

Contact information

• Website: oeo.wa.gov
• Email: oeoinfo@gov.wa.gov
• Phone (toll-free): 866-297-2597. Interpretation in several languages is available.

Washington Autism Alliance (WAA)

The Washington Autism Alliance (WAA) is a community agency that provides advocacy and legal services to individuals with autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities, and their families. WAA can support families with:

• Legal advocacy on issues related to special education and access to healthcare
• Family resource and insurance navigation
• Special Education Legal Clinic: Free consultation with a special education attorney (currently on pause; check the WAA website for updates)
• Special Education Legal Library: Links to special education law articles and resources
• Workshops: WAA hosts free workshops throughout the year, including their Blueprints to Special Education (How to Build Successful School Services) workshop taught by special education attorneys. Check their events page for upcoming dates and to register. (Tip: The next workshop will be on Saturday, September 21!)

Contact information

• Website: washingtonautismalliance.org. You will need to create a free account to access resources.
• Phone: 425-894-7231

IEP Parent Partners at Arc of King County and Arc of Snohomish County

The IEP Parent Partner Program can help:

• Answer questions on special education, IEP process, conflict resolution and resource referrals.
• Consult on IEPs and special education.
• Prepare, execute and debrief after an IEP or school meeting.
• Offer emotional and informational support during a conflict or concern with the school district.

They may be able to attend IEP meetings with you

Contact information

• Arc of King County
• Arc of Snohomish County
• Contact your local Arc or Parent-to-Parent organization to see if they offer an IEP Parent Partner program or other special education support.

Partnerships for Action, Voices for Empowerment (PAVE)

Partnerships for Action, Voices for Empowerment (PAVE) offers support, training, information and resources to empower and give voice to individuals, youth and families impacted by disabilities in Washington, including:

• Articles, videos and helpful links explaining special education rights and processes
• Online events and trainings
• More personalized help from a PAVE representative, by filling out an interest form on their website

Contact information

• Website: wapave.org
• "Help request form": wapave.org/get-help
• Subscribe to the PAVE newsletter for resources and events.

Helpful Tips for Supporting Your Child at School

• Parents and caregivers are equal members of the IEP team! You can request meetings to discuss concerns or propose changes at any time. You can provide input on IEP goals and any other parts of the IEP.
• You can share your ideas and concerns with the IEP team and your child’s teacher in your own words, and it’s part of their role to fit this into the IEP.
• Remember, you are the expert when it comes to your child. Trust your instincts about what will work for them. Just as you can listen to and learn from the other experts on their IEP team – your child’s teachers and therapists – they should listen to and learn from you.
• Consult with your child’s providers to get their input on what type of support may be helpful at school.
• Interpreter services should always be provided for families who speak languages other than English. Letters, notices and written communication from the district should also be translated for families into their own language.

Looking for more?

• Read this Guide to Learning Advocacy in Special Education published on the Informing Families website (and consider subscribing to their Informing Families e-news bulletins while you’re there!)
• Check out the Autism Society’s Top 5 Individualized Education Programs (IEP) Questions.
• Visit our Autism Resources page for even more school resources! Scroll down to find the “Education” header and click to find more great links.