Special Needs Advocacy Services

We offer the following services: §         Assist parents in navigating the school system procedures to secure school services and placement for children with special needs. §         Assist parents in participating with teams to determine whether a disability exists, which disabilities exists, and create a school plan. §         Assist parents in understanding children’s rights and school system responsibilities under the laws governing educating children with disabilities. §         Assist team in revising the current IEP or 504 plan: Draft IEP goals, objectives, accommodations and modifications for the development of an IEP or 504 plan. §         Provide training and workshops for parents and educators §         Conduct comprehensive educational evaluations.  We administer and interpret results of evaluations to determine progress over time, make recommendations for educational services and placement, and make instructional recommendations.  The hourly rate is applied to educational evaluations.  A partial list of evaluation tools we administer include: Integrated Auditory Visual Continuous Performance Test (IVA CPT):  A computerized tool that provides standard scores in many areas for attention and concentration functioning; Bender Gestalt Test of Visual Motor Integration:  Fine Motor, Motor Planning, Memory; Comprehensive Test of Phonological Processing (CTOPP); Lindamood Bell Auditory Conceptualization Test (LACT); Burns and Roe and Qualitative Reading Inventory:  Informal Reading Assessments (IRI); Woodcock Johnson Tests of Achievement, III; Weschler Individual Achievement Tests, (WIAT II) Revised NU; Key Math, Revised NU; Woodcock Reading Mastery Tests, Revised NU; Gray Oral Reading Test (GORT); Gray Silent Reading Test (GSRT); Oral and Written Language Scale (OWLS); Test of Written Language (TOWL); Brigance Comprehensive Inventory of Basic Skills; Teacher Reports for teacher feedback §         Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) evaluations, including psychological and psychiatric evaluation through ADHD Diagnostic Center.  §         Monitor legal issues, help parents understand their rights and provide intervention when rights are violated.  §         Recommend and monitor implementation of educational strategies based on student’s strength and need areas. §         Referrals to: Speech-language therapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, counselors, psychiatrists, attorneys, tutors, and other related service providers and specialty personnel.