Parent's Advocacy in the School (PAS) is administered by Dr. Norm Forman, psychologist and educator, and professional associates in related fields. The service was  organized six years ago to help  with the concerns of parents in their dealings with the schools on behalf of their children. Many of these issues concerned programs, services and various accommodations, among others. Over time the greatest number of parent calls came from families with an exceptional child. Gradually PAS turned its attention exclusively to the concerns of parents regarding their special needs children.

Our purpose is to reconcile the parent's issues using the best practices available. We are in favour of compromise and flexibility with a focus on what is truly in the best interests of the special needs student.

Dr. Norm Forman Ed. D.

Dr. Forman is a practicing Psychologist who has been in the field for over thirty years. He received his BA and Masters Degree from the City University of New York and his Doctorate in clinical school psychology at the Graduate School of Education at Rutgers University.

He began his career as a classroom teacher in both primary and secondary schools and then returned to graduate school. He trained as a school psychologist working in a variety of schools over several years with children who ran the gamut from school difficulties to special needs. During this time he took a number of special education and related courses.

He then accepted a position as director of Student Services in a small public school system where he supervised staff including special education teachers, guidance counselors, and related personnel. In addition to this position Dr. Forman also worked as an advisor to Children's Services, Ontario Ministry of Health, and as a part-time consultant to Bloorview Children's Hospital where he assessed children with a number of different exceptionalities. For many years he has been in Private Practice working with parents, children and families who have presented a broad range of problems.

Dr. Forman has made presentations to Epilepsy Ontario, The Tourette Syndrome Foundation, The Toronto Learning Challenges Association, The Federation of Home and School Associations, and The Ontario Association of Parents in Catholic Education. He organized a pilot program at Epilepsy Ontario called The Advocacy Clinic and will be running one for The Tourette Syndrome Foundation. Dr. Forman is a member of the Canadian Psychological Association, The Council for Exceptional Children, and is listed in the Canadian Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology. His is a member of the Education and Advocacy Committee of a major special needs association and is the representative to the Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) of the Toronto District School Board. He is also a former member of a local School Council. Dr. Forman was chosen as the special needs representative to the Safe and Compassionate Schools Task Force for the Toronto District School Board.

His book, Exceptional Children Ordinary Schools: Getting the Education You Want for Your Special Needs Child, is due to be published in the winter of 2004.