As a Special Education Advocate…

I sat on the other side of the table as a Special Education teacher watching families struggle at the IEP meetings. I know what is expected, the process and the many pitfalls because I have written hundreds of IEPs and conducted and led IEP meetings for over 30 years as a Special Education teacher and Special Education team leader.

A special education advocate takes on many responsibilities. The most important one is to educate and empower families and give a voice to students.

Quote about helping others in need being a responsibility and meaningful in life, on a textured background.

Special Education Services Details:

Full Case Study Review

I will provide a full case study review. This includes an analysis of the current IEP and prior evaluative information to ensure your child’s IEP contains the essential information needed for educators to work most effectively with your child. After reviewing all of your applicable documentation, I will provide a professional opinion and formal report with suggestions for a well-developed and comprehensive IEP.

Evaluation Request

I will provide you with information to make an official request of a full initial evaluation. I will also help you navigate each step of the evaluation process as it happens. Additionally I will assist with requesting an evaluation for related services, or re-evaluations, should they fall outside the standard re-evaluation window. 

Change of Placement

Are all of your childs’ needs being met in the Least Restrictive Environment? This is the standard used in Special Education. Often children have a variety of educational needs, and a program or service that was once appropriate for your child may not always remain the best. There are times when an alternate model of instruction needs to be visited, or revisited, in order to ensure a student’s placement is appropriate. ​

I specialize in the more difficult cases where a More Restrictive setting may need to be explored. This would be due to an extreme and significant disability. It is not common, but there are students who require services beyond the special education services provided in your most local attendance centers, and students who are most appropriately educated with support in a therapeutic school environment or require more restrictive residential services.

iep meetings

It can be difficult, and often intimidating to participate in a  school meeting with numerous school professionals around the table. However, you know your child best, and in these meetings sometimes there can be a disconnect in the way messages are communicated at IEP meetings. In many cases, they benefit when you feel ill prepared or intimidated. Thats where I come in.

I will make myself available to meet with you prior to your scheduled meeting to help you collect and organize your thoughts, and coach you to best advocate for your child. I will also be able to attend meetings with you to help bridge some of the gaps and advocate with you on behalf of your child. 

At times, this may be necessary, and the most efficient way to make sure your message is clearly articulated and received by your child’s service professionals, so you don’t end up needing follow up meeting after meeting with no results.

Templates

I can provide the templates for formal letters requesting things such as:

  • A parent requested meeting 

  • Any IEP meeting of follow up meetings

  • A request to evaluate a student for related services (e.g. speech and language therapy or occupational therapy)

  • A review of service minutes provided 

  • A review of placement (least restrictive, vs more restrictive)

  • Support through a disciplinary or expulsion event.

  • Data showing if goals are being met or not.

College Application
Review

Transitioning your child from HS to College and applying for college can be exciting, as well as intimidating. I have helped hundreds of students and I am here to assist with the application process and a smooth transition by coaching students, crafting a well-rounded admissions essay, and just filling out the annually required FAFSA forms. I will also discuss various schools and the special services they may or may not provide adequately.