How Families and Schools Avoid Conflict and Get Better Results
Most conflict in disability-related school meetings does not start with bad intentions. It starts with confusion—unclear expectations, missing documentation, and families walking into high-stakes meetings without language access or a plan.
Strong advocacy is not confrontation. It’s preparation: requesting what a child needs, documenting agreements, and understanding how protections work across IDEA, Section 504, and ADA contexts.
Clarity improves communication. Brief written messages, clear priorities, and asking for decisions in writing reduce misunderstanding and create accountability.
And there is one more layer many families underestimate: storytelling. When used strategically and ethically, lived experience can improve how people listen and how decisions get made—without oversharing or emotional exhaustion.