IEP consultation for parents
IEP & School Consultation
The special-education system is hard to read from the outside — full of acronyms, timelines, and rights you didn't know you had. I've spent more than twelve years inside it. Consultation is where I sit on your side of the table and help you make sense of it.
At a glance
What to know before you start
Who it's for
Parents working through an IEP, a 504 plan, an evaluation, or a school that isn't quite listening.
What it is
One-on-one consultation and guidance — not an assessment — to help you understand your child's needs and advocate for them.
Where
By video, anywhere in California.
Someone who knows how schools actually work
For more than twelve years I worked inside public school districts and charters — I've sat on the school's side of the IEP table, so I know how these decisions get made and exactly where parents tend to get lost. In consultation, that experience is on your side. I can help you with:
- Making sense of a school or private evaluation
- Understanding the difference between an IEP and a 504 plan
- Preparing for IEP and 504 meetings, and debriefing afterward
- Reviewing IEP drafts and proposed goals before you sign
- Knowing your rights and what to ask the school for
- Deciding whether to request an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE)
The assessment process
How consultation works
Consultation is guidance, not testing. We start with where things stand and build toward a clear plan you can use.
Free consultation
A 20-minute call to hear where things stand and what you're up against.
Review
I look at your child's evaluations, current IEP or 504, and school records to understand the full picture.
Strategy
We meet to map out your options, your priorities, and a clear plan for the conversations ahead.
Support
Guidance as you prepare for meetings and follow up. Sometimes one round is enough; other families want support through upcoming IEP meetings, or a yearly review to keep the plan on track.
Why parents come to me for consultation
I've been inside the system
More than twelve years in public districts and charters — I know how these decisions get made and where parents get lost.
Plain language
No jargon walls. You'll actually understand your options and what to ask for.
On your side
The whole point is helping you advocate confidently for your child.
Strength-based
The goal is always a plan that honors who your child is, not just what they struggle with.
Testimonials
What families say
I realized we were in good hands when Erica told us she would focus on what our daughter can do instead of what she can't.
We gave her an impossible deadline and she delivered a day ahead of schedule — and her report was incredibly comprehensive and accurate.
We did a lot of research, and Erica was a standout first choice to assess our teenage sons. Both kids loved her.
What stood out most was how deeply she cares about advocating for children and making sure they feel seen, understood, and supported.
Her strength-based approach and deep 2e expertise — changing the box to fit the kid instead of forcing the kid into the box. That's my language.
Common questions about consultation
What is an IEP, and how is it different from a 504 plan?
Both are plans to support a student at school, but they work differently. An IEP (Individualized Education Program) provides specialized instruction and services for a student who qualifies under special-education law. A 504 plan provides accommodations that remove barriers so a student can access the same instruction as everyone else. Which one fits depends on your child's needs — and it's one of the first things I help families sort out.
What is an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE), and when should I request one?
An IEE is an evaluation by a qualified professional outside the school district, which you can request when you disagree with the school's evaluation. It gives you an independent, in-depth picture of your child's needs. Part of consultation is helping you decide whether requesting one makes sense in your situation.
Can you attend my child's IEP meeting with me?
Yes. When I attend an IEP or 504 meeting, my role is to share the results of any assessment I've conducted, explain my recommendations, and be your coach in the room — helping you understand what's being offered, what to ask, and what your rights are. I don't speak on your behalf; I make sure you can speak confidently for yourself.
What does a typical consultation engagement look like?
It starts with an initial session where I listen to what's going on and what you need. You send me the relevant documents — IEPs, evaluation reports, 504 plans — and I do a thorough case review. Then we meet again and I walk you through it all with clear guidance. Sometimes that's enough; other families want ongoing support through upcoming IEP meetings, or yearly reviews of the annual IEP to make sure the plan stays right for their child.
Do you provide the assessment too, or just consultation?
Both, as separate services. If your child needs an evaluation, I offer strength-based psychoeducational assessment; if you already have evaluations and need help putting them to use, consultation is the right fit. We'll figure out which you need on the first call.
What an assessment looks at
Curious what a full evaluation covers? See how I work with each area.
Twice-Exceptional & Gifted
For gifted students who also have a learning, attention, or developmental difference — assessed for both, so nothing is missed.
ADHD & Executive Functioning
A close look at attention, focus, and the planning-and-follow-through skills that shape how school actually goes.
Autism
A careful, strength-based autism evaluation set within the whole-child picture.
Learning Differences
Assessment for dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia — the differences behind reading, writing, and math struggles.
Explore other services
Comprehensive Assessment
One in-depth psychoeducational assessment that looks at the whole child — learning, attention, and development together — so nothing gets missed.
Remote Assessment
The full psychoeducational assessment conducted securely online, for any student anywhere in California.
Independent Educational Evaluations
When you disagree with the school's evaluation, an independent second opinion — requested in writing and, when granted, funded by the district.
You don't have to figure this out alone.
A free 20-minute consultation is enough to understand where you are and figure out how I can help you move forward.
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