Why Hiring One Consultant for Both Special Education Advocacy and Placement Makes All the Difference
Parents trying to help their child find the right fit for their learning style
When parents are navigating the complex world of special education, they often find themselves hiring multiple professionals: an advocate to support the IEP process and a separate placement consultant to help explore schools or programs. But what if you didn’t need to divide your time, budget, or trust between two people?
As someone who has worn both hats for over two decades, I can say with certainty: having one expert who can handle both advocacy and placement is not only efficient—it’s a game-changer.
1. A Holistic Understanding of Your Child’s Needs
An advocate understands your child’s rights, the law, and how to negotiate services and supports. A placement consultant understands program types, school cultures, therapeutic models, and admissions processes.
When one person is trained in both, they bring a unified lens to your child’s situation. This means I’m not just focused on fighting for services—I’m thinking strategically about what setting will actually allow those services to be delivered effectively. Whether that means a therapeutic day school, residential program, or highly structured public school placement, I help families avoid wasting time on the wrong fit.
2. Strategic Advocacy That Anticipates Next Steps
If you're working with someone who doesn’t understand placements, you risk getting services in an IEP that don’t actually match any program—or worse, that look good on paper but are impossible to implement.
Because I know the real-world constraints of schools, I advocate for IEP goals and service grids that will align with viable placement options. I can also prepare parents to document regression, gather data, and use evaluations strategically before they ever request an out-of-district program.
3. Seamless Communication and Documentation
Many parents get stuck between two professionals: the advocate says one thing, the placement consultant says another. This leads to duplicated work, miscommunication, and delays.
When I’m handling both, I ensure that everything from the neuropsych report to the IEP to the intake packet tells a consistent and persuasive story—the story of your child’s needs and why a particular setting is required. I write the letters, coordinate the tours, speak with attorneys if needed, and guide you every step of the way.
4. Cost-Effective and Time-Saving
Hiring multiple experts can be expensive—and sometimes, one ends up undoing what the other has done. By combining advocacy and placement into one service, I help families maximize their investment. No need to retell your story, resend paperwork, or worry that something will fall through the cracks. You get clarity, continuity, and results.
5. Deep Networks, Real-Time Insights
As both an advocate and a placement specialist, I maintain relationships with a wide network of professionals, programs, evaluators, and attorneys. I know which schools are opening spots, what programs are trending toward rejection, and how certain districts are responding to placement requests. I don’t just work in the system—I stay ahead of it.
In Summary:
When it comes to special education, there’s power in working with someone who sees the big picture. With a dual focus on getting the right services AND finding the right setting, I help families go from overwhelmed to empowered.
If you're ready to explore advocacy and placement services in one streamlined package, visit www.asktheadvocate.info or schedule a free consultation. Let’s make a plan that gets results—together.
