Advocates and Educational Consultants

Both advocates and education consultants guide parents though the process special education process.  They are paid to come to TEAM meetings with you and advisor you on your child's situation.  They have a variety of college degrees, background and experiences.  Often the advocate or ed consultant will consultant, or join forces with a SPED lawyer if the situation calls for it.

Advocates: are usually parents of special needs children.  They have been trained by the Federation for Children or other SPED organizations in children rights.

Education Consultant: are usually education professionals.  Have a degree in education.  Some are parents of special needs children.  Most are trained to do educational testing of your child and may also be trained by the Federation for Children or other SPED organizations in children rights.

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SPecial Needs Advocacy Network (SPAN).
Is an association of advocates and other professionals.
 They have a list of advocates parents can contact of assistance and parents are also welcome to attend their workshops on advocacy and  topics in special education, check their Program Calendar .

SPAN
P.O. Box 269
Natick, MA  01760

SPAN phone number 508-655-7999
or visit there website: http://www.spanmass.org

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You do not need to attend law school to become an  advocate or education consultant.  Some parents do the advocate training, just so they can be better advocate for their own child.

Two groups we know of who offer advocacy training:
The Federation charges (2006) $325 for parents, $425 for professionals for 8 sessions.

Federation phone number 617-236-7210 or 800-331-0688
or visit there website: http://www.fcsn.org

The Dept. of Mental Retardation also offers Educational Advocacy Parent
Consultant Training.  They charge apox. $30 for 4 sessions.
In 2000 one was run by South Shore Support Services, phone: 781-331-7878.

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An article from Wrightslaw on advocating (Why advocate, types, what do advocates do, planning)

Advocating for Your Child - Getting Started

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The following is a list of professionals who comes recommended by at least three SPED PAC members, we cannot in any way guarantee the result.  It is important to check their references, review their credentials, and interview them to understand whether their skills and approach are a good fit.

These are advocates and education consultants who works in the Concord area.
(Some advocates do not like to do work in the town they live in.)

Listed in order of town:

Name, business.name, title Town Telephone Type of disability members were dealing with What members see as their strength Degree Referred by
Donna Murphy, 
Advocate		 Burlington, MA 781-272-7747 MR, Autism, etc.  Running meetings  - KV, MO
Martha Stearns, 
Ed. Consultant		 Cambridge, MA  02138 617-491-4222 LD, ADHD Her reports, and access to evaluators    SA, CC
Triad Advocacy:
.
Melody Orfei
Advocate
 Concord, MA 978-371-2182 LD, ADHD, Dyslexia, SI, Asperger’s Syndrome Federation Children with Special Needs (FCSN) trained, knowledge of the law, understanding of reading issues and social issues BS CC, SA
Liz Hopkinson
Advocate
 Concord, MA
 978-505-1634
 DD, MR, Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, SI, medical issues
 Federation Children with Special Needs (FCSN) trained, exprienced with multiply disabled students. BA
Steve Lowe
Advocate
 Acton, MA
 978-263-9725
 NVLD/NLD, ADHD, LD
 Federation Children with Special Needs (FCSN) trained. Can assist and advocate for all aspects of special education. NLD, Aspergers, LD, Autism Spectrum.
Ph. D.
Joan Toussaint, 
Advocate		 (moved)
Maynard, MA
978-897-1622 LD, SI, 
(NVLD, PDD)		 Very involved with SPED organizations and special education issues.  - MO, SW,
Susan Grant, 
Ed. Consultant		 Newton Center, MA  781-861-6585 Autism, PDD, S&L Will observe your child's program, researches your child's background, interviews the parents and child.  Advocates with the school system on present as well as future needs. Ed.M. JC, KB
Pam Fitzgerald
Advocacy Consulting Services		 Northboro, MA  01532 508-393-1906 Hearing Impaired, Mood Disorders, Autism spectrum, NLD, LD’s, Dyslexia, ADHD. Federation Children with Special Needs (FCSN) trained, Team meetings, Mediation, and communication. BS
 KV, SR

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