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About Mr. Keelan
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 The
combination of professional experience and being an active family
member and long time participant in the family movement has allowed Mr.
Keelan to develop a unique perspective in developing systems of care
that understands and balances the needs of professionals and families.
He's a trained Special Education Advocate as well as a Licensed Mental
Health Counselor and has extensive experience advocating with school
systems, Department of Mental Health, Department of Mental Retardation,
Department of Social Services, Mass Rehab, and other state and private
agencies. Through his professional work, volunteer work, and many
speaking engagements, Richard has contacts throughout the state. |
Licensed Therapist:
- Juvenile Justice Issues
- Aspergers and Autistic Spectrum Disorder
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- Parental Coaching
- Individual and Group Therapy
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Family Advocate in:- Schools
- Department of Social Services
- Department of Mental Health
- Other institutions providing services to children.
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Buy
a box of thank you notes. After every interaction with the agency or
school system, write a brief thank you note that says that you
appreciate that the agency representative took the time to work with
you, that you are grateful for those things you agree with (state
them), and that while you have remaining concerns (outline them
briefly), you are grateful that you had the opportunity to express
those concerns. Then take a photocopy of the letter to keep as your
documentation of the interaction.
For example, after a phone call with the Principal:
Dear Mrs. Principal,
Thank
you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to speak with me
about my son, Sonny. I am happy to hear that you have arranged for an
armored car to deliver him to school. While you and I did not agree
about the need for bathroom breaks during math tutoring, I was
heartened to know that you were willing to listen to my perspective.
Thank you,
Hartoo B. Parents |
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