Last summer a friend told me reach out to PIC of Delaware because of what was happening with my children’s IEPs. I remember laughing. I tell people to look up the groups like PIC in the state to get an advocate but why do I need that? I mean, I am a huge advocate. I fight all the time for my children’s rights. But what this friend said to me rang true. What she said is you have a great IEP but if you were not following up almost every week with the school, your children would be failing. I sat back and she was right.

This is so frustrating to me. I work so hard with the school and come up with a great IEP and then they just don’t follow the IEP. I spent years doing the right thing. If you have been reading my blog I even wrote a book about IEPs to help other parents and yet a great IEP means nothing if it is not followed.

So, I reached out for help and the person I spoke to said you need to file a complaint. Even after hearing that I still waited 6 more months. Then one day I said enough and I filed the claim. Immediately I was bombarded with phone calls and offers of mediation. I had no idea what had happened or who to listen to or what to do. It was so overwhelming. I kept telling others that I needed to speak with the investigator so I could decide what to do.

When I met with the investigator she was very nice and wanted to know about our side of what was going on. She too though encouraged mediation as a way to help our children faster but it did not feel right to me. What bothered me the most was that if we went to mediation, it would only help my children. I took a step back and said no way! If you have read my blog you would know it is important to me to advocate for other children too. It hit me how many other parents could be just like me – not wanting the stir the pot…. Well look out I am stirring. In the state of Delaware if you go through mediation no one knows – it is completely confidential. But if you do not, the result is posted for others. Well, guess I am going all the way.

The other thing I learned on this journey is almost everyone I talk to with children of special needs have an attorney. WHAT! That really surprised me. They go to meetings and make sure their children’s rights are protected. So, even though I do not like to do it, I will be contacting an attorney. I will continue to let all of you know what I find out and how this goes. Wish us luck!