Dr. Forman's experiences as a former teacher, together with his work as a psychologist in the schools, contributed directly to his concept of establishing a service which assisted parents and families in their quest to get the best education possible for their exceptional children. Six years ago Parent's Advocacy in the School grew out of this idea.

We thought long and hard about using the word "advocacy' in our name because to some people it suggested a contentious approach which was not our intention at all. We selected the word because we believed that it best described what we hoped to do for the parents and child. It was meant to convey the meaning of the word as speaking for or supporting parents in their efforts to convey their views to school personnel. Many parents feel uncomfortable in this role particularly when faced with several staff members in meetings set up to discuss their children. The idea of having someone at their side, therefore, made a great deal of sense.

Dr. Forman is a Registered Psychologist and educator and he works together with a number of associates who represent various related professions as needed. Our purpose is to represent the parents who come to us and at the same time liaise with school staff and, ideally, to work out issues and possible conflicts to the mutual satisfaction of both sides.

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.