• Have a friendly review of letters you send to professional to check your emotions 

• Do something for yourself after a tough day of advocacy–advocacy increases stress so you deserve it 
• Call for a break or postpone a meeting if you need it 
• Trust your instincts 
• Meet other families with similar needs to discuss ways to address concerns 
• Catch more bees with honey 

• CC important emails and documents to other individuals 
• Climb the hierarchy when a problem is escalating or requires the involvement of higher officials 
• See if your problem reflects a systemic issue 
• Take screenshots of email communication 
• Create an electric file of correspondence and information 

• Scan documents into your electronic file 
• Write thank you letters 
• Ground your advocacy in what your child needs (not what you want) 
• Consider the viewpoints of others during advocacy 
• Offer several ways to resolve an issue–not my way of the highway 

• Give credit away for a solution 
• Involve your child in your advocacy–model advocacy 
• Send a follow up letter documenting verbal conversations 
• Write thank you notes with specific praise for positive things 
• Talk to other families when making decisions