The other thing I would personally suggest is to ask about your advocate about their philosophy with regard to education and services for children with special needs.  The last thing you want is to have an advocate who doesn't really believe in the goals you have for your child.  Also it is a really good idea for the advocate to meet your child if he or she does not know them already.  Gather all the documents and papers necessary for the advocate to be able to best represent your child. 

I have always had advocates who did not request a fee.  Our speech teacher provided her help for free.  She was knowledgeable and had lots of experience dealing with the school system.  One huge bonus about her was that she knew my child!  She had worked with him and was in agreement with me about what his needs were.  I have also gotten advocacy help from societies which specialize in the type of disability my son has.   I have gotten phone help from both the Autism Society and from the Arc , an organization who helps those who have intellectual and developmental disabilities.

If your child has a learning disability you might want to call the Learning Disability Association of America at (888) 300-6710. Their web site may be found here. 

Another excellent resource to find an advocate is to join on-line support groups to speak with other parents who are going through similar circumstances.  Just go to yahoo groups and do a search under the disability that your child has.  I guarantee that you will find many groups to choose from.  On-line parental support groups have been my life line as far as advocating for my child.  You may even find another parent who lives in your community who has been through what you are going through and would agree to be your advocate. 

There are no concrete rules for finding an advocate.  An advocate can be a therapist, another parent, or a paid consultant.  You get to choose.

Lastly, here are some further resources for finding an advocate for your child:

• Parent Connections Program at Parents Helping Parents
• Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates
  
  
• Special Ed Advocate Newsletter    
  
  
• For a nationwide selection of advocates please follow this link

Have you ever enlisted the help from an advocate to help your child who has special needs?  Please do share your experiences here.  You may help another parent in the process.