My journey at Children's Specialized Hospital began when my husband and I brought our eighteen-month-old son here for a feeding evaluation. At the time, he would not tolerate a spoon in his mouth. We could not get him to eat any solid food. We were incredibly worried and felt alone.
Children's Specialized evaluated our son and provided my family with a team of professionals who started my son on a journey that has included hard work, commitment, frustration, great progress and hope.
In the years that followed, our family brought our five children--who all have varying special needs--to Children's Specialized for outpatient services. Children's Specialized has been our "go-to" for answers, our second home, and a place where my family has always been made to feel welcome and at ease.
The support that the hospital has given me as a parent has empowered me to learn more and help other parents. As a Harvard Law School graduate and special education attorney, I now volunteer as a member of the Family Advisory Council and speak regularly as part of the hospital’s program for families who have a child newly-diagnosed with autism: Navigating the Journey.
I have also recently distilled the sum of my personal and professional expertise for parents in a book entitled: "How to Advocate Successfully for Your Child: What Every Parent Should Know About Special Education Law." It is a work from the heart. I am honored that it has received five national book awards. I am incredibly grateful to Children's Specialized for funding the translation of the book into Spanish.
My number one piece of advice for parents who have a child with learning differences or other special need is to build a good working relationship with their school district. Children are entitled to special education and related services beginning at age three, but what those services will look like depends upon parents getting involved, working with their school districts, and informing themselves about their children's rights.
Parents of young children should know that at age 2 1/2, it is time to write a letter to the Director of Special Services in their public school district. Parents just need to ask the Director to evaluate the child for special education and related services. The law gives the district a time frame within they must respond and take the next steps.
Under the law, education is a broad concept. Not just academics, but social, emotional and behavioral challenges are proper topics for schools to address. They all can impact a child's ability to function in school.
Parents should also know that the three purposes of special education law are to prepare all of our children for: 1) post-secondary education, 2) employment, and 3) independent living to the extent possible.
As a parent and a professional, I have learned that parents have a wealth of tools to navigate the system. Parents should definitely reach out to other parents and professionals for guidance. And our children need us to, because--hands down--parents are their children’s best advocate.
Greer Gurland will be speaking at Navigating the Journey on May 12, 2017 at Children's Specialized Hospital in Mountainside (English program), and on June 2, 2017 at Children's Specialized Hospital in Mountainside (Spanish program). To register online go to "events", or call 1-888-CHILDREN ext. 2482.
If you’re interested in Greer’s book in English, please visit: https://www.amazon.com/How-Advocate-Successfully-Your-Child/dp/1534613889/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1485864717&sr=1-1&keywords=Greer+gurland
If you’re interested in Greer’s book in Spanish, please visit: https://www.amazon.com/C%C3%B3mo-abogar-con-%C3%A9xito-hijo/dp/1534837612/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1488215083&sr=8-2&keywords=Greer+gurland