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Advocacy & Helpful Links

Our children need us to be their number one advocates. It is one of our most important responsibilities as parents. As parents of children with special needs, the responsibility is only greater.

Advocating for our children includes:

  • Finding a pediatrician who is knowledgeable in the medical issues associated with Down syndrome and guaranteeing they receive quality medical care.
  • Making sure they receive early childhood intervention (ECI) therapy services from birth to three years and private therapy, when necesssary.
  • Being thoroughly prepared for the ARD process when they transition from ECI at age three.
  • Staying actively involved in our children's education and the IEP process of special education and inclusion.
  • Contacting elected officials and staying abreast of pending legislation, both local and national, impacting special education, disability rights and related issues.
  • Becoming actively involved in advocacy efforts to help pave a better road for our children and future children and parents like us.

If the thought of getting involved in advocacy efforts makes you unconfortable, or if you feel overwhelmed and don't know where to start, we're here to assist you. Feel free to contact us at 323-0808 and ask for advocacy assistance.

Related Advocacy Links

Attorneys

Wright's Law
Reed Martin, J.D.

Education

Attending Meetings to Plan Your Child's Individualized Education Program (IEP)
"Inclusion: Educating Students with Down Syndrome with Their Non-Disabled Peers" By The National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS)
Preparing Parents for ARD
Resolving Special Education Issues: Keeping Special Education Records
IDEA Practices
Texas Division for Early Childhod Intervention
US Department of Education - Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services
The Council for Disability Rights
Special Education Resources on the Internet

Local School Districts

Austin Independent School District Special Education Department
Eanes Independent School District - Special Education
Round Rock Independent School District - Special Education
Leander Independent School District Special Programs
Georgetown Independent School District - Special Education
Pflugerville Independent School District - Special Education

Camps/After-School Programs/Special Olympics

Dream of Hopes Ranch
Special Olympics
The Marbridge Foundation

Legal Assistance

Advocacy, Incorporated
National Association of Protection and Advocacy Systems

General Advocacy Information

National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities
Inclusion.com




Other Helpful Links

Recommended Down Syndrome Sites on the Internet - Compiled by Len Leshin, M.D.

Texas Parent to Parent Website and Information on Financial Resources

DS Awareness Links

Promoting Awareness and Acceptance for Individuals with Down syndrome

Public Awareness Teaching Young Children by Lori Barta


National Down Syndrome Society

Buddy Walk

The ARC of Texas
Copyright 2004 - Down Syndrome Association of Central Texas

(Last Updated: February 4, 2007)