Advocacy Services

Because every student and every family is unique, effective special education advocacy for you will depend on your family's goals. Some of the services provided by Spectrum Families Advocacy include:
  • Full records review of all records pertaining to your child’s education; this may include past and present Individualized Education Plans (IEP), 504 plans, evaluations, progress reports, report cards, data sheets, programs, parent/teacher/school communications, etc.
  • Provide a written analysis of your child’s educational program with recommended changes as needed, suggesting possible educational and/or clinical areas to investigate, based on the unique needs of your child
  • Review and discuss your concerns regarding your child, his/her education needs and the services currently offered by his or her school
  • Inform you about Special Education rights, Special Education law and relevant educational issues in accordance with Massachusetts and Federal laws and regulations and advisories
  • Present outside evaluations and reports to your child's IEP TEAM
  • Identify options for your child, including (if appropriate) additional evaluations and possible alternative placements
  • Monitor the implementation and effectiveness of your child's IEP
  • Prepare you to participate more fully as a member of the IEP TEAM process while you learn to become a more effective parent advocate for your child
  • Accompany you to IEP meetings
  • Attend parent/staff clinics conducted by your school district or other agencies and attend parent/teacher conferences
  • Act as a point of contact (via meetings,email and/or phone) with your family, school district staff, outside agency providers, evaluators, consultants, BSEA staff, and attorneys
  • Draft IEP meeting documents, including parent agendas, parent concerns statements and vision statements, IEP rejection and partial rejection letters, meeting summaries, etc.
  • Accompany you to mediation hearings, if needed
  • Assist you in following up with your school district regarding the implementation and success of your child’s IEP
  • Direct you to resources available to you in terms of other disability related organizations and resources, educational and medical professionals and various consultants, or attorneys who can help provide your child’s educational team with the information they require to provide the most appropriate educational program;
  • I can help you attain appropriate services addressing the following programming issues:
    • Development of Behavior Interventions Plans
    • Social Skills Building
    • Socialization Plans- making and maintaining friendships
    • Addressing Bullying Issues
    • Communication
    • Adaptive Daily Living Skills
    • Home Programming
    • Accessing the Community
    • Transistion Planning
I look forward to assisting your family in obtaining the most appropriate educational program for your child!

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