The role of a special education advocate is to assist parents in obtaining the educational services and programs their children require to make meaningful progress in school. Advocates also help foster an equally-informed collaborative relationship with schools to the maximum extent possible, while still holding schools accountable to the Federal and State laws that are in place to protect your child. An effective advocate will work hard to help maintain a thoughtful, respectful, and collaborative meeting atmosphere that encourages the entire team to stay focused on your child’s educational needs. A skilled advocate will be able to answer your questions and simplify the education maze while you work to achieve a better, more appropriate education for your child.
What can an advocate do for us?
A special education advocate can help you navigate your way through the bureaucracy of the school system. An advocate has a solid working knowledge of how a particular school district operates; has a strong network of collaborative professionals to help build the strongest team possible for your child; and and stays abreast of the ever-changing laws pertaining to your child's education. Your advocate becomes an invaluable team member alongside you as you pursue an appropriate education for your child. Parents often find that they are able to communicate more clearly, and negotiate more effectively, with an advocate by their side.
What are the benefits of working with an advocate who specializes in our child’s disability?
While autistic students sometimes share common characteristics, each child is unique with their own strengths and challenges. It is with this understanding that we help our families plan for educational programming that reflects their child’s unique needs and is designed to ensure their child is receiving an appropriate education. School districts must provide special education programs and services that meet all of your child’s educational needs, including academic, social, communication, sensory, behavioral, vocational, daily living skills, and executive function skills.
It is imperative that a professional advocating for our students have a very strong understanding of the various therapies, methodologies, curricula, interventions and specialized programs available - as well as a strong network of proven professionals including physicians, evaluators, behavioral analysts, therapy providers, and educational consultants, most of whom also focus on working with autistic children. Our professional (and personal) understanding of & experience with autistic students will provide you with the most specialized & personalized help available.
When do I call an advocate?
We can help at any time during a student's education when questions or concerns arise, but often we receive inquiries when:
I’m not sure whether my child’s IEP is appropriate, and the amount of documentation filled with jargon & unfamiliar terminology often feels overwhelming. I’d like to be sure we are on “the right track”, but I don’t think we need an advocate to represent us at this time. Can you help?
What can an advocate do for us?
A special education advocate can help you navigate your way through the bureaucracy of the school system. An advocate has a solid working knowledge of how a particular school district operates; has a strong network of collaborative professionals to help build the strongest team possible for your child; and and stays abreast of the ever-changing laws pertaining to your child's education. Your advocate becomes an invaluable team member alongside you as you pursue an appropriate education for your child. Parents often find that they are able to communicate more clearly, and negotiate more effectively, with an advocate by their side.
What are the benefits of working with an advocate who specializes in our child’s disability?
While autistic students sometimes share common characteristics, each child is unique with their own strengths and challenges. It is with this understanding that we help our families plan for educational programming that reflects their child’s unique needs and is designed to ensure their child is receiving an appropriate education. School districts must provide special education programs and services that meet all of your child’s educational needs, including academic, social, communication, sensory, behavioral, vocational, daily living skills, and executive function skills.
It is imperative that a professional advocating for our students have a very strong understanding of the various therapies, methodologies, curricula, interventions and specialized programs available - as well as a strong network of proven professionals including physicians, evaluators, behavioral analysts, therapy providers, and educational consultants, most of whom also focus on working with autistic children. Our professional (and personal) understanding of & experience with autistic students will provide you with the most specialized & personalized help available.
When do I call an advocate?
We can help at any time during a student's education when questions or concerns arise, but often we receive inquiries when:
- You suspect that your child may have a disability
- You have received a diagnosis confirming your child’s neurodiversity and you’d like to ensure any disability-related educational needs are appropriately supported
- You have new expert evaluation reports with detailed recommendations, and you’d like to present them to your school team
- You feel outnumbered and overwhelmed during meetings, and you want objective, expert support on your side that allows you to participate more fully in your role of “parent”
- Your child received a finding of “no eligibility” for special education and you don’t agree
- Your school district requested mediation to resolve a disagreement
- Your child is not making meaningful, data-supported progress in their education
- You believe your child requires specific supports and services, but the school district disagrees
- You are confused about your rights within the special education process and would benefit from coaching
- You do not feel like an equal member of your child’s IEP team, and it’s negatively affecting your trust in the school
- You are not receiving adequate communication from your child’s school about their education
- You are questioning the validity of what the school is doing to educate your child
- The school proposed to discontinue your child’s special education services, and you don’t agree
- You believe your child will continue to require special education services beyond their anticipated high school graduation date
- You suspect that the school is not providing the services written in your child's IEP
- There has been an incident that you or your child have perceived as bullying or abuse
- You think your child may need a program that is unavailable in your school district, but may be available in a collaborative program, private day school program, or residential program
I’m not sure whether my child’s IEP is appropriate, and the amount of documentation filled with jargon & unfamiliar terminology often feels overwhelming. I’d like to be sure we are on “the right track”, but I don’t think we need an advocate to represent us at this time. Can you help?
Yes, we offer a comprehensive record consultation for this. This starts with a thorough review and analysis of your child’s special education documentation (varies, but often includes 1-3 years of IEPs, all completed reports resulting from your child’s school evaluations, reports provided by outside experts, progress reports, report cards, communication logs, incident forms, etc.) and results in a meeting with you to discuss findings, explain how the evaluation results support the IEP areas (whether sufficiently or insufficiently), flag areas that require further attention and perhaps additional assessment, and recommend next steps for you to take in support of your child.
What types of services might my child receive from special education?
Depending on your child’s unique and individual needs, some IEPs for children with autism may include:
- ABA - Applied Behavior Analysis
- Therapeutic Supports
- Home Programs
- Behavioral Supports
- Social Skills Instruction and Supports
- Executive Functioning Support
- Specialized Academic Support
- Counseling
- Extended Year Services (ESY- Summer services)
- Extended Day services
- Sensory Integration Therapy
- Assistive Technology
- Augmentative Communication
- Speech & Language Therapy
- Occupational Therapy
- Physical Therapy
- Vocational Training
- Life Skills Training
- Individual or Classroom Paraprofessional support
- Transition Services
- Parent Training
- Other services to meet your child’s unique needs
Do you work with families from other states?
We frequently work with families moving into Massachusetts from other states; however, we are unable to work with families who reside outside of Massachusetts.
I have an adult son who is 25 yrs old, can an advocate help us secure adult services for him?
At AAA we support school-age students who are between the ages of 3 – 22. For information on adult services, we recommend you contact your local Autism Resource center.
Do you accept my insurance? Do you provide advocacy services pro-bono?
Advocates do not provide medical services, therefore we are unable to utilize health insurance. The families who hire us to provide professional services typically pay us privately; some families are able to use their flex funding accounts for our services while others may have access to grants. Most advocates reserve a limited number of pro-bono or reduced-rate service hours for families of students in exceptionally concerning educational circumstances & who are able to demonstrate financial need. From time to time, we conduct advocacy workshops and trainings for parents that are always free of charge.
*for information on our fees and billing, please contact us.
