SPECIAL EDUCATION ADVOCACY SERVICES

Supporting parents navigating 504 Plans, IEPs & other Special Education related issues. Learn your rights & how to advocate for your child at school. Hire a Special Education expert for representation in school meetings.  Get better results!

SPECIAL EDUCATION ADVOCACY

If your child has been diagnosed with a disability or you are concerned your child may have a disability, a Special Education Advocate can help.  We can work with you and the school to assist and advocate for appropriate evaluations and support for your child at school.

BENEFITS OF EDUCATION ADVOCACY

Advocates represent parents and students while collaborating with the school on their behalf to secure the best possible special education support for a child.  Their expertise in disabilities, education law, negotiations and comprehensive knowledge of the special education process can really help achieve desired results.  Advocates remove stress by directly representing parents in school meetings, while providing education and resources to empower parents to advocate independently.  They ensure parents have meaningful participation in the process and break down barriers between the parents and school administration.  

Special Education Advocate Michigan IEP and 504 Help
Special Education Advocate Michigan get IEP and 504 help

DOES ANY OF THIS SOUND FAMILIAR?

"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."

"My child is suffering socially and emotionally at school."

GETTING SPECIAL EDUCATION ADVOCACY SUPPORT

If you are seeking special education advocacy support, there are a few options available.

Parent Information Center

Each state is required by law to have a Parent Information Center.  These organizations provide support to parents of children seeking or getting special education in schools.  They often offer free resources, webinars, videos and advocacy to parents at no charge.  You can find your state's Parent Information Center here.  Michigan's information center is called Michigan Alliance for Families.  While they do not offer free advocates, they connect parents to parent advocate mentors that offer guidance and resources.  They also have many free webinars, articles and videos available on their website. 

Free support can be a great thing and best of all, it's FREE!  This can be very appealing to parents.  You may get recommendations on how to handle a situation, but you may not representation in 504 or IEP meetings.  Depending on the complexity of your situation, it may not be enough support to get the results you need.

Special Education Attorneys

A more expensive option would be to hire a Special Education Attorney.  Lawyers usually require a very large retainer fee ($3000 and up), and rates usually start at $300.00 per hour.  When you work with a lawyer, you must disclose to the school that your lawyer will be present for any meetings.  If you have an attorney, the school will also have an attorney present for meetings.  There are very few lawyers that specialize in Special Education Law that actually represent parents.  A great majority of those that specialize in education, represent school districts.  Once a lawyer is engaged, it can sometimes limit your communication with the school as they often want to involve both lawyers on any and all conversations regarding your child's situation. 

Non-Attorney Special Education Advocates

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, however as a courtesy it is recommended.  The school does not usually engage or involve an attorney when a non-attorney Special Education Advocate represents parents.  Advocates cost significantly less than an attorney and can address the great majority of special education negotiations. 

In the state of Michigan, advocates cannot represent parents in due process hearings, but can handle everything else related to special education.  When due process occurs (which is not often), advocates can help parents prepare to represent themselves pro se or refer them to an experienced Special Education Attorney for direct representation.  The cost for advocacy services significantly less than using an attorney.  You can visit our pricing page to find out more about hourly rates and discount packages.  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.    

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MOST REQUESTED SPECIAL EDUCATION ADVOCACY SERVICES

COMMON WAYS A SPECIAL EDUCATION ADVOCATE CAN HELP

504 PLAN & IEP ELIGIBILITY

Find out if your child may be eligible for special education or accommodations in school.

SCHOOL MEETING REPRESENTATION

Have an education advocate representation at 504 Plan, IEP and other school meetings.

ACCESS TO HELPFUL RESOURCES

Get guidance and resource materials to help you better understand special education processes.

504 PLAN & IEP DESIGN

Get assistance developing a quality 504 Plan or IEP specific to your child's needs.

LEARN ABOUT EDUCATION RIGHTS & LAWS

Get coaching from an experienced advocate so you can better represent your child in school meetings.

REFERRALS TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS

Get referrals and guidance to selecting professionals, programs and special education service providers.

IEP PLAN REVIEW

Have your child's IEP reviewed and get recommendations for effective goals and strategies.

INDEPENDENT EDUCATION EVALUATION

Learn about the process of requesting an independent education evaluation through your school district.

504 Plan & IEP Compliance

An advocate can help ensure your school and district are executing the 504/IEP properly.

COMMON DISABILITIES

QUALIFYING FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION & RELATED SERVICES

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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