Feeling isolated or alone can be devastating to your advocacy efforts. Intentional or not, many professionals utilize the strategy of 'isolation' to buy themselves time to ensure they act in the best interest of the entity they represent...Not the best interest of your child.

In my last posting I discussed the tactic of role-reversal being used to deter parents and advocates. Today I want to chat about two other strategies you may encounter: Refusal and Rigidity.

Here are some common examples of Refusal and Rigidity at work:

Professional (from school, agency, organization, etc.)says to parent or advocate...

Since so many entities use similar strategies and tactics against parent advocates, I've decided to try and point them out to you, in the same way they were exemplified to me. Today's lesson: Role Reversal

I must point out school districts are the easiest example of an entity that employs these repressive, but effective, techniques to deter parents and advocates. However, as your child ages out of school or into the community, you will find organizations, businesses, councils and other venues also use these tactics.

Have you ever been asked...

So often we focus all our attention and energy on supporting our child diagnosed with autism - and rightfully so! However, it's so important to realize and understand autism affects the entire family.

Every person will have their own reaction, emotions and challenges related to a child being diagnosed with autism. It's no secret that families need support. I think what often goes overlooked is that each person will need individual support depending upon their role in your child's life.

While I've always known it's important to use a child's interest as a foundation for teaching, I was amazed this morning as I watched this theory being put into practice.

Today was the first day of home-schooling my 12 year old son with autism. I was secretly worried that he would protest and refuse any activity I presented. Boy was I wrong!

I do more dishes then should be allowed by law, so when deciding what skills to begin teaching my two sons, I took that into account. Not only did I have ample opportunity to teach them how to wash dishes, their eventual help would be quite welcome!

I had no idea it would take one year.

I received an email today saying I should not feel guilty for lack of teaching specific skills to my son with autism. Why did they want me to know this? So I would buy their products of course!

Unfortunately for them I will not buy the product, and I won't buy into the manipulation of my emotions either. This article is to empower you to do the same.

Reality check: Yes, I feel guilty. I'll admit it.

Advocacy resources are widely available, but finding information that applies to your specific situation can be challenging. In the forum there’s a discussion about WrightsLaw, as it's an invaluable resource for parent advocates, especially those learning the fundamentals.

Here are a few other advocacy resources that may help (they have helped me)...

Many parents face a challenge when it comes to finding the best educational placement for their child.

What do you do when a special education setting is too much support, but a general education setting does not provide enough?

My 14 year old with Aspergers does well in a general education setting with support. He certainly struggles, but since socialization skills and confidence are now in place, he holds his own.

Vaccinations are a controversial topic, so many people are watching the latest court case involving a child injured from vaccines.

This case involves a child born in 1974 and the vaccination being discussed is the DTP, which has been altered since that time.

As expected, those arguing vaccines are safe, assert the child had a pre-existing condition that predisposed the child to having an adverse affect and subsequently autism, in addition to other neurological injuries.