
504 PLAN & IEP SUPPORT
SPECIAL EDUCATION ADVOCACY
As a Special Education Advocate, I advocate for all children needing accommodations or special educational services at school. All children deserve to learn and thrive to the best of their abilities regardless of their disability or learning differences. Parents should feel confident that the school district and staff collaborates productively with them in developing a 504 Plan or IEP specific to their child's needs and situation.
Each child’s best interests should be the priority and the parent's concerns should be considered in the process. An effective educational plan will allow a student to grow, learn and improve academically. Hiring a Special Education Advocate leads to better academic and emotional success at school. Let's work together in making your child thrive!

FEELING FRUSTRATED? DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO?
"My child is struggling academically, and it is getting worse."
"Behavior is really beginning to be a problem at school."
"I asked for a 504 or IEP but the school denied my request."
"The current 504 or IEP is not making things better."
"My child is now refusing to go to school."
BENEFITS OF HIRING A SPECIAL EDUCATION ADVOCATE:
There are many benefits to education advocates. Together with representing the parents and child, an advocate has excellent problem solving and negotiating skills so they can effectively collaborate with the school to help develop an optimal plan for a student. By working together with the school, a successful advocate will remove barriers to a child's education so the child can achieve educational growth and progress. An advocate will work closely with parents to make sure they have meaningful participation in plan development, their concerns are heard and considered throughout the process. In addition, the advocate will apply knowledge and experience to ensure that an effective and quality educational plan is designed specific for the involved child.
WHAT DOES IT COST TO HIRE A SPECIAL EDUCATION ADVOCATE?
When you need advocacy support, there are a few options to choose from. Each state must have an information center regarding special education laws and rights. They offer free guidance and resources. Some offer support of an advocate but in limited capacities. You may get recommendations on how to handle a situation, but you may not full representation in a meeting. Financially it sounds appealing because it's free, but depending on the complexity of your situation, it may not be enough support to get the results you want.
A more expensive option would be to hire a Special Education Attorney. Lawyers usually require a very large retainer fee ($3000 and up) and hourly rates are often at least $300. When you work with a lawyer, you must disclose to the school that your lawyer will be present for any meetings. The school will not speak to you and your attorney unless the school also has an attorney present.
The last option is to hire a non-attorney Special Education Advocate. You are not required to inform the school an advocate will be attending a meeting and the school usually does not have an attorney present. I work as a non-attorney Special education Advocate and offer both straight hourly rates and packages to reduce the hourly cost when more work is required. You can visit my pricing page to find out more about my rates.
Just remember you get what you pay for, and time is valuable when your child is struggling and behind academically at school. It's worth the investment to have a well-trained experienced advocate fighting for your child.

Maria Giancotti, M.Ed.
HOW SPECIAL EDUCATION ADVOCACY CAN HELP
Education Advocates represent the best interests of a child with a disability in the public school setting. They ensure that their educational rights are being met including their right to FAPE (a Free and Public Education). If a child with a disability is not making meaningful educational progress, they can assist by collaborating with parents and the school district to better the situation for that child. While an advocate is not a lawyer and cannot provide legal advice, their expertise and knowledge surrounding the civil rights and educational rights of children guided by the state and federal laws can be invaluable to a parent that does not have that background.
Navigating this complex process is very overwhelming and intimidating to most. The average person may not be skilled and knowledgeable enough to obtain the optimal outcomes best suited for their child. I have personally walked this road with my own child for years now. I learned the hard way trying to do this on my own. Looking back now I wish I had sought help with a Special Education Advocate early on.

MOST REQUESTED SPECIAL EDUCATION ADVOCATE SERVICES
504 PLAN & IEP ELIGIBILITY
SCHOOL MEETING REPRESENTATION
ACCESS TO HELPFUL RESOURCES
504 PLAN & IEP DESIGN
LEARN ABOUT EDUCATION RIGHTS & LAWS
REFERRALS TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS
IEP PLAN REVIEW
INDEPENDENT EDUCATION EVALUATION
504 Plan & IEP Compliance
COMMON DISABILITIES
ADD/ADHD
AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER
SENSORY PROCESSING DISORDER
AUDITORY PROCESSING DISORDER
VISUAL PROCESSING DISORDER
DYSLEXIA
DYSPRAXIA
DYSCALCULIA
APHASIA
ORTHOPEDIC IMPAIRMENT
SPEECH/LANGUAGE IMPAIRMENT
DEVELOPMENTAL DELAY
INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY
EMOTIONAL DISTURBANCE
HEARING IMPAIRMENT
SPECIAL EDUCATION ADVOCATE ROLE:
Special Education Advocates represent children and their parents in the educational setting when the child requires modifications, special education or related services to learn effectively. They will always act in the best interests of the child and serve as a voice for both the child and the parent when communicating with the school. The process of special education and related services is guided by federal and state regulations and laws which can make the process very intimidating for most people. While a Special Education Advocate is not an attorney, they do possess comprehensive training, skills and experience that can offer many benefits to a family navigating this complex process.
The primary functions of an education advocate are to empower and educate parents on rights and laws so they can better advocate for their child. They can fully represent a parent in school meetings, or coach parents through the process and provide support. Some families prefer an advocate to take the reins, while others want support and resources so they can effectively advocate themselves. These are decisions are a personal choice, however more complex situations may benefit more from full advocacy, while more basic situations may easily be handled by a parent with guidance from an education advocate.
SPECIAL EDUCATION ELIGIBILITY:
In the state of Michigan, special education services include children from age 3 - 26 that require accommodations, supplementary services and special education instruction. A 504 Plan (Section 504 of the Americans with Disabilities Act) or IEP (Individualized Education Program) is developed specific for each eligible child based on their unique needs and circumstances in the school setting. There are clearly outlined parameters on eligibility for each plan and an advocate can help guide you regarding which plan applies to your child. Regardless of which program your child qualifies for, an advocate can help.
To learn more about Special Education Advocacy services offered, click here.
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"If a child can't learn the way we teach, maybe we should teach the way they learn." -Ignacio Estrada
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