In an official capacity, I became an advocate in 2023. However, I have been sitting at the IEP table as a school-based Occupational Therapist since 2014. For the 10 years before I started working in the school system, I was a private practice OT and frequently attended my clients’ IEP and IFSP meetings to support parents and ensure my client’s needs were at the forefront of all discussions.

Although board certification is not required and is completely voluntary, I completed the National Special Education Advocacy Institute’s (NSEAI) board certification program. I successfully completed, applied for, and received certification as a Board Certified Education Advocate (BCEA) at the Fellow level.

NSEAI is the only national association with a nationally recognized board certification program for professional competence in the knowledge and skills required for current practice as a special education advocate. Certification requires 218 instructional hours, 13 examinations, 10-30 special education-related CEUs outside the NSEAI program, praxis hours of experience, and the candidate cannot have any legal actions against them. There are three levels of certification for advocates. A Consultant has 40 hours of experience. A Diplomat has 50 hours of experience. A Fellow has 100 hours of experience. NSEAI has established policies, procedures, and standards for board certification in special education advocacy. www.nseai.org

I also completed the National Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET) Board Certification for Advocacy in Special Education (BCASE) program. However, the NASET organization's program is less extensive than NSEAIs. A candidate must have a Master's degree (or higher) and passing scores on 7 Modules covering 58 units of information. https://www.naset.org/career-center/advocacy-board-certification-for-advocacy-in-special-education-bcase

NASET and NSEAI provide weekly newsletters with updates on special education laws and other developments. I am also a member of several online special education advocacy groups.

I am available to attend meetings in person in Banks, Barrow, Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Dawson, DeKalb, Douglas, Forsyth, Fulton, Hall, Jackson, Newton, Rockdale, and Walton Counties. If the meeting is outside the metro Atlanta area, I can attend virtually. Due to a conflict of interest, I do not serve families in Gwinnett County.

It is more appropriate for me to answer, “What is my role as the advocate?” The word “advocate” is derived from the Latin word “ad,” meaning “another,” and “vox,” meaning voice. I am another voice to advocate for your child. My job is to be as much or as little support as you desire when advocating for your child. My purpose is to enable you, as the parent, to enable your child in the educational setting. The level of support I provide depends on the desires of the parent(s). Sometimes, I only review IEP drafts and prepare the parent(s) for the IEP meeting. Other parents request I attend the meeting, but I only chime in as needed, leaving most of the advocating to them. However, some parents prefer I take the lead in all aspects. My role is dependent on the preferences of the parent(s).

Review Services

I have expertise and knowledge in:

• The Eligibility and IEP process

• Specific and measurable goals/objectives

• Evaluations

• Disabilities

• OT/PT and other related services

• Behavior plans and FBAs

• Issues related to discipline

• Local service providers

• Options offered by school districts

• IDEA

• Other laws/regulations affecting students with disabilities

• Parents' procedural safeguards

• What special education is and is not

• Research-based programming

• Specially Designed Instruction (modifications and accommodations)

ABSOLUTELY! I am a Special Education Advocate, which means I am a consultant. I have expertise in Special Education laws and IEP development. Education Advocates improve the efficiency of the Local Education Agent (LEA) in complying with regulations and laws. I do not have a law degree. Special Education Attorneys represent their client’s rights to have FAPE implemented and enforced. They are not educational consultants, educational advocates, educators, or clinicians. As soon as I believe Due Process is needed, I refer to an Education Lawyer.

I also refer parents to other advocates if their area of need is not one of my strengths. For example, transition planning is not an area of expertise for me. I refer clients needing support for transition planning to other local advocates.