We were recommended against using an advocate (by our pysch) because it tends to create a confrontational environment... Or amplify any tension that may already exist between the parents and the district. Sounds like that was not your experience.
JB,
One last thing. The advocate I used was not confrontational in any way. He was good at standing his ground on the law, but made sure that we phrased everything carefully, led the teachers and principals to reach their own conclusions, which just happened to be the conclusions we wanted them to reach. It's been very positive. My only complaint is that he is so popular (School districts, schools, and parents from all over hire him) that sometimes I feel like it's hard to get a hold of him. Still, he is amazingly reasonably priced for his retainer.:)
Lya
