Be 'That' Parent: Advocating for Your Child’s Learning Needs

For years, our family poured time, energy, and resources into reading tutors, vision therapy, and occupational therapy, trying to pinpoint what was holding our child back. Like many families, we found that when a child’s needs aren’t easily identifiable, they can slip through the cracks at school and go relatively unnoticed.

In the middle of this journey, we were fortunate to connect with Rachel Montague at Cloud Cap Psychological Services, whose comprehensive evaluation finally gave us the clarity we’d been seeking. It took nearly four years — and a lot of persistence — to get answers.

We've also been fortunate to access support from incredible professionals along the way — reading tutors, Dr. Jenessa Hartman at Sunflower Vision, and our fabulous math tutor, Carol with Hood River Tutors. But I’ll be honest: it’s taken a significant toll in terms of time, energy, and finances. That kind of outside help isn’t always accessible or sustainable — which is why strong school-based support matters so much.

We owe so much to my child’s fourth grade teacher, who truly ‘saw’ her. She recognized that something wasn’t adding up and took the time to connect with us, advocate for support, and adjust her teaching approach. I will forever be grateful to have had her as a partner on this journey — a reminder that just one teacher can make an extraordinary difference.

Along the way, I met Jenn Nydahl, a parent advocate and founder of Bright Dawn Education. She’s helped families — including ours — navigate the IEP and 504 process with clarity and confidence. Her guidance helped us better understand what was available and how to ask for it.

Looking back, I wish we had started advocating at the school level earlier — even before we had a diagnosis. Like many parents, we weren’t sure if what we were seeing was temporary, tied to the pandemic, or something deeper. My biggest piece of advice? Trust your gut. If something feels off, say something.

In my experience the process can be long, confusing, and frankly, exhausting. The MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Support) framework is designed to help identify and support struggling learners, but it can take months, even years to move through each tier. It’s not always linear, and it can feel like you’re stuck in limbo waiting for someone to say “yes, let’s move forward.”

At every.single.meeting, you’ll receive a copy of the Parent Rights for Special Education — a very lengthy legal document that outlines your rights under state and federal law. And while it’s important, it’s not exactly light reading. So pour a cup of coffee, pull up a chair, and try to make time to understand what’s in it. You can access it here.

It’s a lot. There’s no sugar-coating that. But know your rights — and be willing to stay the course. Be proactive. Request a conference. Bring your concerns in writing. Ask what interventions are in place and how progress is being measured. Ask to see the data. Follow up. Keep notes. It may feel uncomfortable, but it’s okay to be persistent. It’s okay to ask questions. And it’s more than okay to be “that parent” — because your child needs someone who won’t stop asking until they get the support they deserve.

You don’t have to do it perfectly. But keep showing up. Because at the end of the day, you are your child’s greatest advocate. 

I am always open and willing to help other parents by offering advice based on my own experience so feel free to reach out to me at debbie@gorgeyouth.com 

Keep reading below where Jenn Nydahl with Bright Dawn Education breaks down special education in a clear and easy to digest way! 

SPECIAL EDUCATION BASICS: What You Need to Know

The world of Special Education can feel overwhelming — full of acronyms, processes, and unfamiliar terms. Whether you're just starting to notice something or already deep in the IEP process, understanding your rights and the available support systems is key.

Here, Jenn Nydahl, parent advocate and founder of Bright Dawn Education, breaks down what parents need to know.

Early Years: The Foundation of Your Child’s Future

As parents, nobody knows your child better than you do. Your instinct and intuition about their development are powerful tools. The early years—especially before they start school—are a critical time to make a meaningful impact on their growth and learning.

Understanding Early Intervention Services

Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Early Intervention Services are available to all children with developmental delays from birth through age three. In Oregon, these services are organized into two categories:

• Early Intervention (Birth - 2 years)
• Early Childhood (3-5 years)

Holistic Development Is Key

During these formative years, focusing on the whole body’s development is essential. This includes:

• Motor control (movement and coordination)
• Emotional regulation
• Communication skills
• Cognitive abilities
• Social engagement
• Daily life skills (adaptive skills)

Supporting all these areas helps set a solid foundation for your child's future.

How to Get Started

Your family doctor or pediatrician is a vital resource—they can identify developmental delays and refer you to specialists. Anyone can initiate a referral for early intervention, including preschool staff or community programs like Head Start. If you're concerned, you can also contact a local agency to schedule a developmental screening.

Evaluation and Services

Once a child's development is assessed and qualifies for support, an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) is created. This plan focuses on the needs of the entire family and is reviewed every six months to ensure it continues to meet your child’s needs.

Services provided may include:

• Parent coaching
• One-on-one instruction
• Speech therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Physical therapy

Services can be delivered in various environments such as your home, childcare centers, or preschool settings.

Learn More

For additional information and resources, visit the Hood River School District’s Early Learning department website. 

And if you are in Washington: Washington Educational School District 112 (Serving Klickitat, Skamania, and other counties):

SCHOOL YEARS

Some kids don’t show signs of delays or learning differences until they’re in a classroom setting. That’s when schools begin to monitor progress and offer additional support when needed.

Response to Intervention (RTI)

If your child is struggling in specific areas, the school may provide extra help through what’s called Response to Intervention, or RTI. This typically happens before Special Education is considered.

Support might include:

• Small group instruction
• Extra time focused on specific skills
• Sessions with reading or math specialists
• Frequent progress monitoring to see if the interventions are working

You might hear these referred to as Tier 2 interventions — targeted support offered in addition to regular classroom instruction, designed to help students catch up without needing more intensive services.

Evaluation for Special Education

When a student continues to struggle despite receiving interventions, the school may move forward with an Initial Evaluation to determine whether Special Education services are needed.

An Evaluation can cover a range of areas, including:

• Academics (reading, writing, math)
• Cognitive functioning
• Social and emotional development
• Communication and speech
• Fine and gross motor skills
• Adaptive skills (daily living and problem-solving abilities)
   

The purpose of the Evaluation is to determine whether a student has a disability that significantly impacts their ability to learn in a general education setting (that’s the formal language for a “regular classroom”). If a diagnosis is made and the team agrees that specialized instruction is needed, the student may qualify for an Individualized Education Program (IEP).

Important notes for parents:

• Under federal law (IDEA), you can request an Evaluation if you have concerns — and you don’t have to wait for the school to initiate it.
• The request must be made in writing, and your written consent is required before the school can begin the process.
• You can also pursue an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) if you want a second opinion or hope to move faster than the school’s timeline allows.

IEP (Individualized Education Program) 

An Individualized Education Program (IEP) is a customized learning plan designed to meet the unique needs of a student with special learning needs. A student qualifies for an IEP after a formal evaluation shows that certain learning, behavioral, or developmental challenges are making it difficult to succeed in a general education setting.

The IEP outlines:

• What services and supports the student needs
• How progress will be measured
• Who will provide the services
• Where the services will take place
• When and how often the support will occur
   

It’s a highly detailed legal document that can feel overwhelming at first — but it’s meant to be a roadmap for your child’s success.

IMPORTANT: Parents are legally considered part of the IEP team.
That means you have a voice in shaping your child’s educational plan. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, request changes, or ask for things to be explained in plain language. Your input is not only welcome — it’s essential.

If you and the school cannot come to a mutual agreement about your child’s services, supports, or placement, you have options. One of those is to request an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) — a private evaluation conducted by a qualified professional who is not employed by the school district.

In some cases, a parent can request this independent educational evaluation and the school may fund this evaluation especially when it is requested due to a disagreement over the adequacy or appropriateness of the school's evaluation or proposed plan. Parents often pursue an IEE when they believe their child’s needs are not being fully identified, addressed, or when they feel the current plan is not supporting progress. An IEE can potentially offer a second opinion, uncover new insights, and help resolve disputes. Please refer to specific wording in your state's special education procedures and statutes for more information. 

If you’re at this point in the process, it’s a good idea to ask questions, take notes, and consider seeking support from a parent advocate to better understand your rights.

504 Plan

A 504 Plan falls under a federal civil rights law — Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. It ensures that students with disabilities have equal access to education by providing accommodations that support their learning in the general education classroom.

Accommodations might include:

• Quiet spaces for focus
• Preferential seating
• Visual aids or other tools that support comprehension
• Extended time on assignments, quizzes, or tests
• Alternate formats (e.g., audio books, large print, text-to-speech)
• Break assignments into smaller, manageable chunks
• Reduced homework or shortened assignments
• Alternative test location (e.g., quiet room)
• Modified pacing (more time to complete work over several days)
   

Unlike an IEP, a 504 Plan does not involve specialized instruction — it’s designed for students who need support to access learning but not a modified curriculum.

Quick Recap

• An Evaluation helps determine whether your child qualifies for services and support.
• A 504 Plan offers accommodations within the general education classroom.
• An IEP provides a personalized curriculum and specialized instruction beyond what general education offers.
   

For more information or to begin the process, contact the Hood River School District Student Services department or Washington Educational District. 

You’re Not Alone

This just scratches the surface of the services and supports that may be available to your child. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure where to begin, know that you’re not alone. Whether you're thinking about requesting an evaluation, navigating school meetings, or just trying to figure out what your child needs — remember:

You are your child’s strongest advocate.

If you'd like to dive deeper into any specific topic — such as how to request an evaluation, how to understand your child's IEP, or how to prepare for a school meeting — please reach out. We’re here to help.

Resources: 

Wrightslaw.com  is a comprehensive resource dedicated to special education law and advocacy. It offers a wealth of information for parents, educators, advocates, and attorneys seeking to understand and navigate the complexities of special education.

PAVE: https://wapave.org/

Jenn Nydahl - https://www.gorgeyouth.com/directory/bright-dawn-education-services/

Cloud Cap Psychological Services - Comprehensive Psychoeducational and Developmental Evaluations, Independent Educational Evaluations (IEEs), Behavioral and School Consultation, and Therapy Services for youth, young adults and their families - https://www.gorgeyouth.com/directory/cloud-cap-psychological-services/

Anna Diem, M.A., CCC-SLP -   Individual speech-language therapy services  https://www.gorgeyouth.com/directory/anna-diem-slp/

Hood River Dyslexia Tutoring - Julie Waldman  https://www.gorgeyouth.com/directory/hood-river-dyslexia-tutoring/ 

Michon Silaphath in the Dalles: https://www.pathlearningfordyslexia.com/

Hood River Tutors - Private Tutoring  https://www.gorgeyouth.com/directory/hood-river-tutors/ 

Jen King - After School Reading Tutor  (503) 621-6896