Coaching & Support

I will help you manage the special ed process and find solutions for success

 

Please note I am not taking new advocacy clients at this time. Please join my mailing list to be notified if this changes. Thanks!

Parent Advocacy Techniques

Many districts train their employees on how to say no or avoid offering services. It is critical as a parent that you know how to respond to this behavior and what is involved in advocating for your child. Through review of previous meetings, role playing and educating about the process, I can coach you on how to be the optimum advocate for your child. Empowering yourself is the best route to leading your child to success!

Student Advocacy Coaching

I have developed a 12-week program to teach adolescents and teenagers how to self-advocate in the classroom. Through my work as a counselor in schools I found many kids did not even know what their IEP was about, let alone how to ask for the accommodations they deserved. Many teachers will not offer the accommodations unless a student asks. I will coach your child to teach them how to ask for the help they deserve.

Special Mom Support Groups

It amazes me how unaware the schools and family are of the toll special education takes on us moms. We need an unbiased, supportive environment to share our frustrations and encourage each other to keep trying. Throughout Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties, I host monthly support groups where moms can come together and find respite from the trials of the journey. Please contact me if you would like to find out if there is a group in your area.

Social Skills Classes

Utilizing the Social Thinking curriculum, I assist students in developing positive social skills for school, home and extracurricular activities. Many students in special education have difficulty picking up on the nuances of social relationships, and the Social Thinking curriculum has an excellent method for helping these students to catch up on this knowledge. I teach these classes in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties. Please contact me if you would like information on joining the class.

Identify Needs & Make Referrals

After talking to parents, reviewing screening results and meeting the student, I might determine that further investigation may be warranted for specific challenges. If that is the case, I will refer you to a specialist who will be able to provide a detailed exam or assessment and provide you with specific information on why your child is struggling.

2019 Back to School Roadmap for Special Ed Parents

Unfortunately it is that time of year when we have to transition our kids away from a less structured schedule and extended sleep times to the reliability of the school day. Getting ready for back to school can be fun, but it can also be overwhelming when...

SWOT Analysis for the Special Ed School Year

Join me for a FREE Facebook Live! SWOT Analysis Q&ASaturday, June 22, 2019 at 9 am PST Join my Special Ed Mom Facebook Group to participate! It's FINALLY the end of school year. Was it worth it? In the early years, my family couldn’t wait for the...

How to Help Your Autistic Child Flourish

Sometimes, traditional parenting methods can be a source of frustration in families with children on the autism spectrum. Kids with autism often express themselves differently, have special sensory concerns, and might not understand certain social expectations. Read...

10 Ways to Have Better IEP Meetings

You may have read about me in Special Ed Mom’s Survival Guide.  I’m Bonnie’s husband Steve, otherwise known as the dad who had a hard time letting go of my dreams for a typical son.  Those days are behind me. As a professional mediator, I thought I could handle IEP...

Don't Be Shy

If you have a question, want to share your story or even just to say hi, please contact me!