Ally Versus Adversary Behaviors: The Utility of a Special Education Advocate During Conflict Between Parents and Professionals

Navigating the special education system can leave many parents confused, overwhelmed, and struggling to find information, particularly when in conflict with professionals. One source of solace for such families is the support of an advocate. This article presents a qualitative interview study with 43 special education stakeholders (parents, professionals, and advocates) about the utility of an advocate during conflict. Findings indicated two distinct advocate behaviors, the ally and the adversary, were either helpful or unhelpful during issues of conflict between parents and professionals. Furthermore, participants discussed variability in the amount of advocate expertise and training. We conclude with recommendations for policy, practice, and future research.