IEP consultation for parents
IEP & School Consultation
Navigating the special-education system can feel overwhelming from the outside, full of dense acronyms, strict timelines, and rights you might not even realize you have. Having spent many years working inside the system, I sit on your side of the table to help you make sense of it all.
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 to help you understand your child's needs and advocate for them.
Where
Online, by video, anywhere in California.
How to start
A free 20-minute consultation to talk through where things stand with the school.
Book TodaySomeone 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
This service is designed for parents who need expert guidance navigating the school system, not diagnostic testing. We start by looking at where things stand with your child's education. From there, I help you prepare for meetings, interpret school documents, and map out a practical strategy to secure the support your child deserves.
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 plan for the conversations ahead.
Support
Guidance as you prepare for meetings and follow up. For some families one round is enough. Others 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.
Clear options
You'll leave knowing what your choices are and what to ask the school 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
We walked away feeling like we understand our son so much better and, most importantly, feel better equipped to support him.
I realized we were in good hands when Erica told us she would be focusing on what our daughter can do instead of the things she can't.
This was a very in depth investigation into the workings of my son's mind, how he learns, and what makes him tick.
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.
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.
We gave her an impossible deadline and she delivered a day ahead of schedule — and her report was incredibly comprehensive and accurate.
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, or if the district has failed to meet legal timelines, missed key areas of suspected disability, or made other procedural errors during their assessment process. 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. My job there is to help you understand what's being offered, what to ask, and what your rights are.
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. That is where it ends for a lot of families. Others stay on through the next IEP meeting, or come back each year when the annual IEP comes up.
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. I assess for both, so nothing is missed.
Learn moreADHD & Executive Functioning
A close look at attention, focus, and the planning-and-follow-through skills that shape how school actually goes.
Learn moreAutism
A careful, strength-based autism evaluation set within the whole-child picture.
Learn moreLearning Differences
Assessment for dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia: the differences behind reading, writing, and math struggles.
Learn moreExplore other services
Comprehensive Assessment
One in-depth psychoeducational assessment that looks at the whole child: learning, attention, and development together. No stone unturned.
Remote Assessment
The full psychoeducational assessment conducted over secure telehealth, for any student anywhere in California.
Independent Educational Evaluations
If you feel a school-based evaluation did not fully capture your child's needs, you have the right to request an independent second opinion. When approved, these comprehensive evaluations are funded by the school district to ensure an objective, thorough assessment of your child's learning profile.
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.
Book Today