Does the principal know anything about DYS? Or is this just a fearful, knee-jerk reaction?
The advocate is just that: an advocate for your child's best interests. S/He's a neutral voice to support you and your child. S/He's someone NOT paid for by you, yet who is standing up for your child to say, "Hey, this kid has special needs. No, really, you can't blow this off."
Your advocate won't tell the principal how to manage the school any more than you are. It's about getting your child served, period.
I love the sound of having a family advocate or an educational consultant. Can anyone explain what it is that they actually do for you? I know that every time that we mention the DYS program to the school, the principle visibly bristles at the notion. I think she feels very intimidated or threatened by it. I'm not sure how receptive she would be to having an educational consultant make suggestions on how she should manage her school. 
