Special Education Consulting

Special Education Consulting: Supporting Your Student

I will work with you to build a partnership between you, your child, and the educators at your school to ensure that your student receives the right learning resources and appropriate accommodations to meet their needs.

Assessing: Determining What Your Child Needs

Identifying your child's unique needs plays a vital role in enabling them to learn and grow in the least restrictive and most supportive educational environment.

• If your child is struggling with academic or behavioral problems at school, I can help you determine if seeking an assessment would be helpful. I can refer you to trusted professionals for an independent evaluation, or work with you to document and prepare a formal request if you prefer to pursue a school-based assessment.
• If the school has reached out to you suggesting an evaluation, I will review their request with you. I will help you understand your options, the process, and the timelines involved.
• Once you have an evaluation, we will work together to explore and identify what accommodations and assistance would be best for supporting your child's educational, sensory, emotional, and social needs.
• In addition to coordinating with the school, I can help connect students and families with additional resources - such as therapy services, assistive technology, specialized assessments, or community programs.

Implementing: Meeting Your Child's Needs

I will collaborate with you, your medical team, and teachers and staff at your school to ensure that your child's individual plan is tailored to their needs and includes best practices for ensuring inclusive education and accommodations.

• If your child requires accommodations to thrive in the general learning environment, we will work together to compose a 504 Plan that removes barriers and provides them the adjustments they need to thrive.
• If your child needs specific interventions or services, we will coordinate with the school to craft an Individual Education Plan (IEP) and bring together the right people for your child's IEP Team.
• I can work with the school to adapt curriculum materials and teaching strategies to meet the needs of students with disabilities or learning challenges.
• I will collaborate with you and the school to help develop and implement behavior intervention plans to support students with behavioral or emotional needs.
• I will work closely you and your family to make sure you are informed and involved every step of the way in your child's education. I will explain processes, make sure you are aware of your rights, and put you in touch with additional resources.

Reviewing: Adjusting and Changing

As your child grows and changes, their needs and abilities will also change. Their 504 or IEP will need to change, too.

• I will help you prepare for the school's annual special education plan review. We will figure out together if previous goals were met and determine what upcoming goals should be.
• I can help you develop habits and strategies at home that support and reinforce the aims of your child's 504 or IEP, so that they have consistent expectations and a familiar baseline environment.
• If you are concerned that your school is not meeting your child's needs, I can provide you guidance to ensure that your school is complying with legal requirements, such as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). I can help you advocate for your student's rights and needs, and can advise you on concrete steps you can take during mediation or to prepare to file a formal dispute.
• If your child is facing a disciplinary change in placement, I will assist you in preparing for the manifestation determination so that your child's disability-related behaviors are not miscategorized as a disciplinary problem. An unfavorable outcome at this initial level of the process can permanently affect your child's access to educational services. 
• If you file a grievance, I will collaborate with your legal team to document and prepare for each stage of the process - from initial filing through appeals, if needed.