Trust me, I understand the question.

I wish my job didn’t have to exist. With laws in place like FAPE (Free Appropriate Public Education), it seems like students should be getting the best services, the best Individual Education Plans (IEP), and the best Behavior Intervention Plans (BIP) at no cost to their parents. Unfortunately, after working as a special education teacher within a variety of school systems (public, private, charter, and alternative programs), I've learned some important facts about why, exactly, my job does exist.

The teacher shortage is real, especially in special education, which can result in underqualified teachers.

I have endless respect for people entering the field of special education. This work requires patience, compassion, and endless positive regard for even the most challenging students. I can only imagine what it must feel like to enter the profession, and immediately be tasked with teaching children of all ages and disabilities, writing IEPs and BIPs, and case-managing more than 15 students at a time, all without prior education, training, or experience. It’s no wonder the turnover rate for special educators is so high! This, unfortunately, is our reality - but rather than view this as discouraging, I see it as an opportunity to teach our educators best practices and research-based approaches. That’s where Everyday Exceptional comes into play. Not only do we consult with your family, and review and revise your IEPs & BIPs, but we can also work with your child’s teacher to help your child learn and grow. Special Education consulting helps to bridge the gap between schools and families, cultivating an education space where your child can truly thrive.

Teachers & specialists work for the school district, not for you.

This is going to be a hard one to read, especially if you’re a teacher. Of course teachers love their students, but it’s not a requirement to be well-versed in special education law, and schools are often working under tight budgets. When I was a special education teacher, I had a student who was a great candidate for a weighted vest; I knew he would benefit from grounding techniques throughout the day. I advocated for the school to purchase the vest for him, but I didn’t realize how hard this journey was going to be. They reminded me that the school was on a tight budget, and that because he was still showing progress, a vest wasn’t necessary. Eventually I was so discouraged, I bought a weighted blanket for my classroom myself, just so that he could have that accommodation. Not all teachers can or will be able to provide for their students in this way, nor should it be the expectation. When I look back on that situation, I wish I'd had someone behind me, the family, and the student during those IEP meetings. As a teacher within that school, I received my paycheck from the school, and therefore felt too intimidated to press the issue. A special education advocate and consultant’s role is to solely focus on the student and their needs. We work for you, not the school. We have no issues asking the big questions and getting answers for your child. Consultants can offer an unbiased and objective analysis of educational, personal, and social goals and choices, and can speak directly to the potential match between a student and a school. This leads me to my next point…

In a world where school choice is becoming more prevalent, schools receive more funding when you choose their school. This does not mean it’s always the best placement for your child.

As consultants, we know the school we work in. When we recommend a particular school, it's usually because we've visited that school, developed relationships with the admissions staff, and even placed other students there as well. This makes us a great resource when helping you determine placement. We can also offer an unbiased and objective analysis of educational, personal and social goals and choices, and can speak directly to the potential match between a student and a school. Consultants can assess whether a particular school will help your child succeed at every level: academically, socially, and emotionally. We can help guide your decision making to find the right fit for your family.

Managing a large caseload can result in inaccurate data.

Data analysis is the driving force behind IEP development. However, special education teachers are tasked with managing large caseloads, on top of providing lessons, assessing students, analyzing data, meeting each student’s goals and objectives, and IEP development. And don't forget what I shared above - underqualified and under-experienced educators are a very real issue. The current trend of rising caseloads and increased responsibilities contribute to high rates of teacher attrition in special education. If current attrition rates continue, it is likely that some districts will struggle in their obligations to meet the federal requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. By having a consultant at your side, we can provide your child with academic screeners, achievement tests, and functional behavior analysis, which you can bring to your IEP meeting to compare data and help guide decision-making, to help your child thrive at school.

School websites, marketing materials, online rankings, and guidebooks are often not overly helpful - and at times, they can even be deceitful. 

An independent educational consultant can lend your family necessary expertise while you sift through massive amounts of information. We help parents make the best choice for their child without being misled.

Special education terminology, concepts, and data analysis can be confusing.

As a special education coach, one of the biggest critiques I gave during an IEP meeting was that teacher’s didn’t make the information approachable or easy to understand for parents. Teachers throw words around like "oral reading fluency rate", "least restrictive environment", "functional behavior analysis", and "universal design", as if parents have suddenly obtained a degree in special education and know every term in the book. Parents often feel ashamed or embarrassed at meetings: they worry that not knowing the terminology makes them ill-informed or uneducated on the matter, and not a useful part of the conversation. But does anyone know your child better than you, their parent? Your voice is crucial in these meetings: you have the most experience working with your child. A consultant can help you prepare for your annual review - what's more, we can even attend it with you. With an independent education consultant by your side, no one will be able to silence your voice. Your child will thank you for it later.

If I have learned anything from this field, it’s that your child's education is the most important gift you can give them. Our job is to make sure that gift lasts them a lifetime.