I first heard about TNSTEP when my son, Jacob, was 2 and we were preparing to transition from early intervention to the school system. I felt unprepared to be Jacob’s advocate when a friend suggested I attend a TNSTEP basic training. At that first meeting, I learned so much about Jacob’s rights to free appropriate public education and my role as his parent. After that first training, I made sure I attended as many trainings as TNSTEP offered in my area. I always walked away with new insight on how to better partner with Jacob’s IEP team.
I remember one particular training that was held at a local library. I heard parents discussing their child’s educational programs and their children’s abilities. I realized that my son’s abilities were very different from the others in the room. I asked the facilitator if the school could deny services because a child was very involved with his/her disability. The facilitator assured me that the school could not deny my son services or FAPE because of his disability. Being armed with that information, gave me a newfound courage to be an even better advocate for Jacob.
Jacob is now 20 and we are looking at what his future will look like after school. I’m working closely with his teachers and the IEP team. TNSTEP trainings are still an important part of my learning so that I can continue to be Jacob’s advocate.
