Lose The Fear: Speaking Up For Your Child With Special Needs

Empowering parents and others with the skills to confidently advocate for children with special needs

What you’ll learn
Understand the principles of advocacy and how to apply them effectively.
Develop effective communication strategies to express your child’s needs clearly.
Understand your child’s rights.
Handle conflicts and disagreements in a constructive manner.
Feel empowered to advocate for your child’s needs confidently and clearly.

Requirements
This course is intended for anyone involved in the care of a child with special needs, including parents, siblings, legal guardians, and support staff. Whether you’re new to advocacy or looking to strengthen your skills, this course will equip you with the knowledge and tools to confidently support your child’s unique needs.
Text Books: Lose the Fear: Speaking Up with Confidence for Your Special Needs Child by Christine Staple Ebanks

Description
Are you the proud parent of a child with special needs, searching for practical tools and strategies to advocate more effectively? Our course, “Lose the Fear: Speaking Up with Confidence for Your Special Needs Child,” is tailored just for you! Based on the award-winning book of the same name, this course will empower you to confidently navigate complex systems, communicate assertively, and foster strong, supportive relationships with the professionals who support your child’s growth. You’re not alone in this journey; this course will show you how to build a strong support network.Throughout the course, you’ll be guided by Christine Staple Ebanks, an international parent-professional advocate and award-winning author. Christine combines her personal experience as a parent with her professional expertise to provide relatable, real-world advice that will help you feel more empowered in your advocacy journey.In this engaging and interactive course, you’ll unlock the ability to:Recognize and celebrate your child’s unique strengths and needs,Present your child’s strengths in a way that highlights their full potential,Master assertive communication while avoiding unnecessary confrontation andLearn how to collaborate effectively with educators, therapists, and healthcare providers to secure the best possible outcomes for your child.You are the expert on your child and their strongest advocate. Get the support you need to build your confidence, find your voice, and strengthen it—transforming fear into power and ensuring your child’s voice is always heard.

Overview
Section 1: Course Overview

Lecture 1 Course Introduction and Overview

Section 2: Module 1- Introduction to Advocacy

Lecture 2 Introduction and Module Overview

Lecture 3 The Importance of Advocacy for Parents of Children with Special Needs

Lecture 4 The Advocacy Process

Section 3: Your Voice is the Kryptonite

Lecture 5 Introduction

Lecture 6 Know Your Child

Lecture 7 Setting the Right Tone

Section 4: Speak with Impact

Lecture 8 Building Trust and Establishing Rapport

Lecture 9 Crafting a Clear and Compelling Message

Lecture 10 Handling Pushback with Confidence

Section 5: Building Connections and Support as a Strategy for Becoming an Effective Parent

Lecture 11 Defining connections and support, and understanding their role in advocacy

Lecture 12 Why Not Flying Solo is Important

Lecture 13 Strategies for Networking and Forming Meaningful Supports

Section 6: Boundaries and Self-Care for the Special Needs Parent Advocate

Lecture 14 Understanding the Value and Importance of Boundaries

Lecture 15 Techniques to Establish and Maintain Healthy Boundaries

Lecture 16 Self-Care Strategies for the Parent Advocate

Section 7: Public Speaking Strategies to Sharpen Your Communication Skills

Lecture 17 Overcoming Nervousness and Building Confidence

Lecture 18 Delivering Your Message Clearly and Effectively

Lecture 19 Managing Pushback and Navigating Difficult Conversations

Section 8: Know Your Child’s Rights

Lecture 20 Understanding Key Educational Disability Laws

Lecture 21 Understanding Key Provision of the Conventions on the Rights of the Child

Lecture 22 Understanding the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)

Section 9: Asserting Your Voice with Confidence

Lecture 23 Recapping the Journey

Lecture 24 Creating Your Advocacy Action Plan

Section 10: Bonus

Lecture 25 Mindset for Success

This course is intended for anyone involved in the care of a child with special needs, including parents, siblings, legal guardians, and support staff. Whether you’re new to advocacy or looking to strengthen your skills, this course will equip you with the knowledge and tools to confidently support your child’s unique needs.