3 Ways That A Special Education Attorney Can Help You During A Hearing
For parents of special needs children, attending hearings about their child can be a regular occurrence. You may need to attend hearings to get your child moved from one school to another or even to ensure that he or she receives a specific degree of care and attention in school. Additionally, should the child act out aggressively while in school, you may need to attend hearings and listen to school administrators discuss how to best balance the needs of your child with the safety and security of other students and staff members. Attending so many hearings can often be overwhelming, but you can get help in the form of a special education lawyer. This professional can attend the hearings with you and help in this manner.
1. Speaking On Your Behalf
It can be daunting to speak in front of school board members and other important individuals during a hearing, but doing so may be in the best interests of your child. If you feel that you can't do your child justice in this manner because of poor public speaking skills or perhaps even a language barrier, consider hiring a special education attorney. He or she will act as your voice, discussing your stance in advance with you and then delivering it at the hearing.
2. Pushing Back Against Rulings
Parents can often feel as though they don't have any recourse when a school board makes a ruling that impacts their special needs child. For example, perhaps the school board were to make a ruling that you don't agree with, you may feel as though you simply have to accept it. Fortunately, this isn't true. Your special education attorney can fight for your child on your behalf, citing precedents in other jurisdictions to support his or her message. This may be the difference in your child getting what you feel to be in his or her best interests.
3. Taking Legal Action For You
There may be scenarios in which you have a case for legal action against the school board or some other entity that relates to your special needs child's education. Having sat in on the hearings and being acutely aware of the situation, your attorney can not only advise you when taking legal action may be a good idea but can also handle the case for you. You'll feel a deep sense of relief having this legal professional in your corner from the start of the process through its conclusion.