Same TeamThere’s No Place Like Home
Finding the right path to advocate for your child
When Dorothy opened the door to Oz, she found herself in a world she did not understand.
Everything was unfamiliar.
The path ahead was uncertain.
And more than anything, she wanted to find her way home.
So she started walking.
Along the way, she met people who helped her.
The Scarecrow needed confidence.
The Tin Man needed heart.
The Lion needed courage.
And Dorothy needed guidance.
None of them had everything they needed alone.
But together, they found their way.
I think about that journey often when I think about parents navigating special education.
Because when a parent first realizes their child may need additional support, it can feel like stepping into an unfamiliar world.
There are new words.
New processes.
New meetings.
New decisions.
And sometimes, parents are left wondering:
“Where do I even begin?”
“What questions should I ask?”
“How do I make sure my child gets what they need?”
Those questions are not a sign of being difficult.
They are a sign of being a parent.
They come from love.
And then comes one of the biggest questions families face:
“Do I need an advocate?”
Sometimes, the answer is yes.
The right advocate can be an incredible partner.
A knowledgeable advocate can help parents understand the process.
They can help explain information.
They can help families prepare questions.
They can help parents organize their concerns and make sure their voice is heard.
A strong advocate does not replace a parent’s voice.
They strengthen it.
But finding the right guide matters.
Because the goal of advocacy is not simply to win a meeting.
The goal is to help a child succeed long after the meeting ends.
The people sitting around the IEP table are not just there for one conversation.
They are the people who will continue teaching your child.
Supporting your child.
Providing services.
Implementing accommodations.
Monitoring progress.
Making adjustments when things are not working.
The relationship matters.
Sometimes, when parents are scared or frustrated, the first instinct is to find someone who can step in and make sure everyone listens.
And that feeling is understandable.
When your child is struggling, you want someone who will protect them.
You want someone who will make sure their needs are not overlooked.
That instinct comes from love.
But the person who creates the most movement is not always the person who creates the most conflict.
The strongest advocate is not the person who immediately looks for a fight.
The strongest advocate is the person who helps find the path forward.
There are times when families need legal guidance.
There are situations where formal dispute resolution may be appropriate.
Those options exist because children and families have important protections.
Knowing those options matters.
But jumping immediately to the most formal step does not always create the best outcome.
Why?
Because your child’s journey does not end when the meeting ends.
The people who will continue walking with your child tomorrow are often the same people sitting around the table today.
Once a relationship becomes defined by conflict, rebuilding trust can become much harder.
There is a simple truth that has stayed with me throughout my career:
People cannot fix what they do not know exists.
A school team cannot address a concern they have never heard.
A teacher cannot respond to a frustration they do not understand.
A team cannot solve a problem they do not know is there.
Communication creates opportunity.
Questions create understanding.
Conversations create solutions.
This does not mean parents should stay quiet.
Parents are essential members of the team.
They know their child in ways no one else can.
They see the child behind the paperwork.
They know the strengths others may miss.
They notice the challenges others may never see.
They carry the hopes and dreams that existed long before anyone sat down for an IEP meeting.
That voice matters.
That voice belongs at the table.
The right advocate understands something important:
Advocacy is not about standing against someone.
It is about standing up for someone.
A good advocate does not create a bigger divide.
They help build a bridge.
They help parents understand the process.
They help teams understand the child.
They help everyone stay focused on the same destination.
In The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy did not make it home because she found someone who could fight every battle for her.
She made it home because she found people who helped her understand the journey, discover her own strength, and keep moving toward the goal.
The same is true for parents.
You do not need someone to take away your voice.
You need someone who helps you use it with confidence.
You do not need someone to create more distance.
You need someone who helps the team find the road forward.
Because the goal was never to defeat the people along the journey.
The goal was never to prove who was right.
The goal was never to win a meeting.
The goal was always to help the child find their way.
To find the supports they need.
To find the confidence they deserve.
To find the opportunities waiting ahead.
Because there is no place like home.
And for a child, home is not just a place.
It is the feeling of being understood.
Supported.
And surrounded by people who are walking in the same direction.
The goal is not for parents to win.
The goal is not for schools to win.
The goal is for the child to win because their team worked together for one common goal.
Stories about the students and families Dr. Long served are composites, with names, schools, and details changed. Stories about her own family are her own. About the author.