Baby Steps Nutrition Podcast

Episode 41: How to Be an Advocate for Your Child with Special Needs

Episode Summary

What exactly does it mean to be an advocate for a child with special needs? Our goal, as caregivers, is always to raise children to be happy and successful. But how does a caregiver navigate the overwhelming and sometimes complicated world of laws, resources and programs in their community? On this episode of the Baby Steps Nutrition Podcast, Argavan speaks with Patrice Badami, a passionate mother and advocate of children with special needs. Patrice earned her Master of Science degree in Childhood and Special Education from Long Island University. In addition, she holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communication and Journalism from St. Bonaventure in New York state. She is currently working towards her certificate in Early Childhood. Patrice is an Elementary and Special education teacher for a New York State school district. Patrice and Argavan discuss Patrice’s motivation to pursue the incredibly important and fulfilling path to helping families receive special education services, the valuable resources that Acorn to Tree provides and advice for caregivers to be the most proactive advocate for their child and best ways to tap into services that all families in need deserve. Tune in, feel empowered!

Episode Notes

Mentioned in this Episode and Patrice’s Recommendations:

• The Special Education Battlefield by Andrew Cuddy/Esq.
• Ten Things your Student with Autism Wishes you Knew by Ellen Notbohm
• The Autism Sourcebook by Karen Siff Exkorn
• Nolo's IEP Guide for Learning Disabilities by Lawrence Siegel Attorney
• From Gobbledygook to Clearly Written Annual IEP Goals by Barbara D. Bateman Ph.D. J.D.

      Speech Therapy Resources (from the soon-to-launch Acorn to Tree website)

• https://www.dropbox.com/s/6s3u2pwzw9qmvqs/Copy%20of%20Speech%20Therapy%20Resources%20blog%281%29.png?dl=0

      Occupational Therapy Resources

• https://www.dropbox.com/s/w724aw2l6m0pfoj/Occupational%20Therapy%20with%20affiliate%20info.png?dl=0

     Physical Therapy Resources

• https://www.dropbox.com/s/ui8fo4i2t8bh42s/Physical%20Therapy%20Resources%20blog%281%29.png?dl=0

      Special Education Resources

• https://www.dropbox.com/s/cbeljqh9waxmpof/Special%20Education%20Resources%20Blog%20new%281%29.png?dl=0

For more on Patrice Badami, you can follow her on Instagram @acorntotree, on Twitter @acorntotree and through her website (launching soon!) www.acorntotree.com.

For more on Argavan Nilforoush, be sure to follow her on Instagram @babystepsnutrition, on Facebook: Baby Steps Nutrition Podcast page, on Twitter @argavanRDN, on LinkedIn @ArgavanNilforoush and through her websitewww.babystepsnutrition.com.