The Individualized Education Plan (IEP) process can be confusing, overwhelming, and frustrating for anyone, especially families who are new to the system or are not receiving the supports they need for their child to be successful in school.  Writing a good IEP is crucial, not just for getting through the school year but to set long-term goals and work towards gaining the skills for adult life.  In a perfect world every IEP would be well written with both short-term and long-term goals, the school and family would work as a team, and the child would get every support and accommodations necessary to thrive in school.  However, this is not always the case and sometimes it can be beneficial to exercise your right to bring in an outside party to assist in the IEP process.

As a person with Autism I can relate to the struggles of classroom learning, I know what it's like to fight sensory issues, deal with bullying, or feel misunderstood by the teacher.  Each person is unique and I could never claim to speak for everyone, but I know I'm not the first person to deal with these issues, and my own struggles were not unique.  A teacher may not understand why behaviors are occurring or where the breakdown is in communication with an Autistic child, and it can be beneficial for them to speak directly with an adult who can relate to the child's perspective. Even the best IEP cannot ensure success, but I believe that it can guarantee the best chance for success in school, and getting the right supports and services in school will impact someone for the rest of their life.  The goal is not only to meet specific academic or skill-based goals, but to lower the daily stress in a child's school life, giving them the opportunity to learn just like everyone else, without being held back by the things they struggle with. I come into the process as an active advocate, to both ask and answer questions, assist in planning to prepare for the IEP meeting, and make sure the family be fully aware of their rights.  I'm happy to share my own solutions and experiences as a self-advocate and offer advice in problem solving and planning, both long-term and short-term.  To identify potential problem areas and make sure even seemingly small issues are address through the IEP I will ask questions like: "Where is his desk located, and would he experience less sensory distraction by sitting near less active classmates?" "What kind of reliable routine is in place to ensure all assignments are turned in and accounted for?" "Are there sensory differences between the home and school environment, such as lighting or clothing, that are inconsistent and leading to behavioral issues at school but not at home?" "What is building stress throughout the day, and what plan is in place to relieve that stress before it boils over into a meltdown?"

I am available before the IEP meeting takes place, to plan, strategize, and offer suggestions to make the process smoother.  For the IEP meeting itself I am comfortable filling any role you may need, whether it's quiet support or an active voice to fight for your child's rights. My rate is $50 per hour for private meetings to prepare for the IEP meeting (minimum: 1 hour) and $50 per hour for the IEP meeting itself (minimum: 2 hours).  I live in southeast Portland and there may be an additional fee for excessive travel. If you have any questions, or would like to schedule an appointment, click here to e-mail me, or call anytime between the hours of 10:00 AM and 10:00 PM at (503) 698-4076.