FAQs...

What Is An Education Advocate?

An Educational Advocate is a professional who is familiar with the structure of the school system and with special education law, providing information to and representing parents of children with special needs as they work to acquire the appropriate services to which their child is entitled so that he or she can obtain an appropriate education. An educational advocate is a professional that works with you and the school to obtain an appropriate education for your child's specialized needs. They are familiar with the structure of the school system, special education law, and how to acquire the appropriate services that your child is entitled to so that she/he can reach their full potential.

 

What Can An Advocate Do For Us?

An Educational Advocate can help you navigate your way through the bureaucracy of the school system. An advocate has a good working knowledge of how a particular school district operates, and understands and stays abreast of the ever-changing laws pertaining to your child's education. The advocate becomes part of your team as you pursue an appropriate education for your child. Parents often find that they are able to communicate more clearly and negotiate more effectively with an advocate by their side.

 

What Services Do You Provide?

As a Professionally Trained Advocate I can help...

• Answer your questions and simplify the education maze toward a better, more appropriate education for your child. I am qualified to take you through the entire process or just portions of it, depending on your needs.

• Suggest possible educational and/or clinical areas to investigate based on the unique needs of your child.

• Examine test results and school records to determine whether further assessment is necessary.

• Prepare documentation to support the program your child needs.

• Assist in the IEP process, including Eligibility Conference attendance; Evaluation Planning and meeting attendance; IEP Meeting attendance and advocacy; IEP review and recommendations and IEP goal review and development.

• Monitor progress and request program modifications, as needed, including remediation.

• Suggest accommodations to add to your child’s IEP to further support learning.

• Provide referrals to proven professionals such as physicians, evaluators, Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) providers, Floor Time providers, educational consultants, speech therapists, occupational therapists, and physical therapists.

• Investigate and explore alternative educational placements for your child.

 

What are the Benefits of Working with an Advocate who specializes in our Child’s Disability?

While children with Autism share common characteristics-each child is unique with their own strengths and challenges. It is with this understanding that I help my families plan for educational programming that reflects their child’s unique needs and is designed to ensure their child is receiving an appropriate education. School districts must provide special education programs and services which meet all of your child’s educational needs, including academic, social, communication, sensory, behavioral, vocational, daily living skills, organizational.

School districts must consider the full range of special education services necessary to meet your child’s unique needs resulting from ASD including, if appropriate, intensive services such as ABA, floor time, pragmatics, sensory integration, literacy instruction, etc.

It’s is imperative that a professional advocating for these unique children have a strong understanding of the various therapies, instructions, treatments and programs available as well as a strong network of proven professionals including physicians, evaluators, behavioral analysts, therapy providers and educational consultants, most of whom also focus on working with children on the autism spectrum. My understanding and experience with Autism both personally as well as professionally will provide you with the most specialized help available.

Contact me today to see how I can help make your child's education more meaningful.