Unlocking Hidden Potential: Why Being Your Child’s Academic Advocate Isn’t Optional—it’s Essential.
- New Day Counseling
- Aug 29
- 3 min read
Mark your calendar: October 7, 2025, 7:00–11:00 PM — Virtually via Wheaton Public Library.
Picture this: You're in the IEP meeting. The educator’s words swirl with legalese. You want to speak up, but suddenly, you feel like you’ve forgotten how to advocate for your own child.
Now imagine the flip side: armed with knowledge about your child’s rights and the courage to ask pointed questions—because nothing is more powerful than being the trusted voice in the room. That’s what New Day Counseling's Matthew Patton's webinar “Being Your Child’s Academic Advocate” offers parents: actionable confidence, legal clarity, and the tools to ensure your child thrives, not just gets by, within the education system.
What studies show us about parental involvement
Parental advocacy improves satisfaction and results.
In a National Institutes of Health study of 61 parents navigating special education for youth with chronic conditions, 43 parents were satisfied with their outcomes when employing strategic advocacy styles such as negotiating or building trust, compared to those who were overwhelmed and dissatisfied.
Increased parental involvement results in improved academic performance.
Studies show that being involved in extracurricular activities correlates with better grades, improved behavior, and enhanced social adaptation. Students whose parents are actively engaged in their education tend to exhibit enhanced attendance, conduct, academic achievement, and social skills.
Engaging family and community efforts can enhance academic performance.
According to a recent Hanover Research report (Aug 2025), when families and community members actively engage in learning, students not only perform better academically but also feel more supported and confident.
Engaged families lead to improved outcomes for students with disabilities.
Family engagement for students with disabilities leads to better academic outcomes, higher graduation rates, and increased family confidence in educational support, according to Exceptional Lives, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing educational resources for caregivers of individuals and children with disabilities.
Why Parent Insights Matter in IEP Decisions
Think of the IEP team as a puzzle. There are teachers, therapists, and counselors, each holding crucial pieces. But you are the corner piece shaping the whole image. Only a parent sees both the small strokes and the big picture: what motivates your child, how they learn best, and what to build toward as they grow. As the Center for Parent Information and Resources (CPIR) puts it, "Parents’ knowledge can keep the team focused on the ‘big picture’ of the child" and helps “create an IEP that will work appropriately for the child.”
Meet Your Advocate: Matthew Patton, LPC
As a former teacher, Matthew Patton has direct experience navigating the complex landscape of building structures, and now his goal is to empower parents to ensure their children's success. Here are a few more highlights about your speaker:
Matt is a former Special Education Director and teacher in public schools
He holds credentials like ADHD-CCSP, Certified Trauma Professional II, and Certified Autism Spectrum Disorder Specialist
He also uses evidence-based therapies like CBT, ACT, trauma-informed, and experiential methods
His 60-minute masterclass, capped by a lively Q&A, will provide you with real-time answers to real-life questions, for example, knowing what to do when a 504 plan stalls or when mid-year IEP changes feel impossible.
Knowledge you'll gain from the webinar
Imagine being able to go into the school year prepared with the following:
Clarity on your child’s legal rights under IDEA and Section 504.
Confidence to speak up at the table, because you know where the rules are and how to use them.
Community: you’re not alone; others are advocating alongside you.
Strategies for follow-through, ensuring IEPs or 504 plans aren’t just documents but living, breathing supports.
Summary of Key Details
When & Where | Why It Matters |
October 7, 2025 (7:00–11:00 PM) | Gain strategies that turn confusion into action; don’t just show up - show up ready. |
Online via Wheaton Public Library | Easy access, no commute, advocacy from your sofa, with expert guidance in real-time. |
For parents and guardians of students needing special support | Navigate systems with confidence, clarity, and a sense of community. |
Led by Matthew Patton, LPC | A rare mix of expert insight infused with therapeutic nuance from a parent and former teacher, to help prepare you to become your child's best advocate. |
Counselling focuses on building resilience, and a Good morning prayer message supports this idea by starting the day with encouragement. Just as therapy promotes positivity, a prayer message nurtures calmness, gratitude, and hope. Combining both practices helps individuals heal emotionally and spiritually, ensuring they face challenges with a stronger and more balanced mindset.