Parent's Advocacy in the School consists of  Dr. Norm Forman, psychologist and educator, and a number of professional associates. Our purpose is to help your brother or sister in school by advising your parents on how to remove any barriers they may face in solving their problems. For example, if your special needs sibling needs to have a particular class placement or some kind of accommodation, such as extra time to take a test, and these are unavailable to him or her, we will create a plan for your parents which will lead to the accomplishment of these goals.

In looking at our goals it is important to understand the word advocate. For us it means to support and assist special needs students by speaking or arguing on their behalf regarding their rights, services and programs in the schools. Where and when possible and appropriate we want the special needs students to learn to speak for themselves as well, in other words, to self-advocate.

To achieve our purpose fully we need the input and cooperation of all members of the family because  success for the exceptional child in the family is not dependent only on the parents. It is for this reason that we reach out to the sisters and brothers of the special needs student. All members of a family are inter-dependent and, therefore, you as siblings are influenced by what happens to your brother or sister in school.

With this in mind, our opportunities to reach our goals may be increased with your assistance. This means that with your sibling's consent any pertinent information that you would be willing to share with us could help us understand him or her better and strengthen our advocacy strategies. For example, your description and understanding of your special needs brother or sister will differ in ways from those of your parents. This could provide us with an additional perspective which may be helpful in our planning.

Dr. Norm Forman Ed. D.

Dr. Norm Forman is a Registered Psychologist in Toronto who has held a variety of positions in the field for over thirty years. He holds a Doctorate in Education from the Clinical School Psychology Program at Rutgers University. In addition to experience as a teacher and a psychologist in the schools, Dr. Forman was the Chief Psychologist for a community school system, head of a community college counselling service, consultant to Children's Services, Ministry of Health and co-director of a Family Life Centre outside of Toronto. He has conducted workshops with the Tourette Syndrome Foundation of Canada, The Epilepsy Society, and the Toronto Learning Challenges Association. Dr. Forman was chosen as the special needs representative to the Safe and Compassionate Schools Task Force for the Toronto District School Board.

Dr. Forman's advocacy book, Exceptional Children-Ordinary Schools: Getting the Education You Want for Your Special Needs Child, is scheduled to be published in Fall, 2004.

Dr Forman is a member of the Canadian Psychological Association and is listed in the Canadian Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology.