When you’re advocating for your child, few things are more frustrating than uncertainty. You make a request—an IEP review, a classroom support plan, a meeting—and then you wait. Sometimes for days. Sometimes for months. Sometimes with no response at all.
This strategy helps you shift from open-ended silence to clear, trackable next steps.
How to use this strategy
Ask the school (in writing, if possible) to confirm their expected timelines for:
- Responding to parent communications
- Scheduling team meetings or IEP reviews
- Completing assessments or referrals
- Implementing accommodations or classroom support
- Providing formal decisions or documentation
You might say:
“To help us plan and support our child effectively, could you confirm the expected timeline for [IEP development / classroom adaptation / meeting scheduling]?”
“Can you provide the timelines your school or district uses for parent requests and follow-up actions?”
You can also ask for district policy documents or refer to timelines in the BC School Act or Special Education Manual if needed.
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“Urgent: Third Request” — what to do when schools ignore your emails
You write the email. You name the problem. You describe, in detail, what your child is experiencing and what they need to be able to participate. You’re respectful, clear, and solution-focused. And then—you wait. For many families, especially those raising disabled or neurodivergent…
What to watch out for
Schools often rely on informal practices. You might hear things like “we try to respond within a few weeks” or “it’ll happen sometime in the fall.” But vague answers delay support and prevent you from following up effectively.
Here’s where strategy comes in.
When staff state a timeline—even informally—they become more likely to stick to it. That’s the psychology of commitment. It’s harder to ignore a request you’ve already agreed to.
That’s why this strategy works. Asking “when can we meet?” often results in the meeting actually getting scheduled—because people want to avoid multiple conversations about the same thing.
The reverse is true too. If you say nothing, timelines can stretch indefinitely.
So don’t be afraid to state your own timelines when something is urgent. You might write:
“This is critical for my child’s participation in school. I need to receive a response by Monday. If I haven’t heard back by then, I’ll follow up in person or escalate as needed.”
This isn’t being difficult. It’s protecting your child’s right to access education without unnecessary delay.
You are not making a threat—you are setting a boundary.
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The 123s of advocacy strategy
These strategies are practical steps you can take to help your child access support—whether you’re just starting out or navigating a complex situation.
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