Cynthia Singleton
I’m passionate about empowering parents to advocate well for their children with special needs at school. The longer you wait to learn the process and your rights, the more time your child loses to learn the vital skills they will need to be an independent adult. Learn more about me or connect with me on social media by clicking the icons below.
Do You Need Help to Get Your Child Better
Special Ed Services?
Can you answer these questions?
If not, then you would benefit from mentoring.
The stress of your child’s struggles at school will follow them home and affect the whole family. Stress makes it more difficult to find the information you need, to focus on what’s important, and to decide an effective strategy to resolve your issue.
I can save you time, effort, and money.
I will mentor/coach you how to advocate well for your child. When you know your rights, you can ask for what your child is entitled to under federal law.
Do you know what IEP stands for?
Individual Education Plan. This plan is the contract between the parents and school that describes what special ed services and supports the school will provide. The special ed process is filled with acronyms. You will need to master them in order not to feel overwhelmed at meetings. See my blog post about the important ones.
Do you know what FIE stands for?
The Full Individual Evaluation (FIE) is the set of academic, cognitive and other tests that the school gives a child in order to qualify them for special ed (sped) services. It can test as many as ten different areas of development–but only if the parents know how to request all those areas. It is the first and foundational step in the sped process, and many parents make mistakes with it. My course teaches you about evaluations in depth.
Do you know what FAPE stands for?
FAPE or Free Appropriate Public Education is what IDEA, the law governing special education, guarantees for your child. Denial of FAPE by failing to provide appropriate programs, supports or services can entitle a parent to receive compensatory services or even private schooling paid for by the public school for their child.
Do you know what an IEE is?
When you disagree with the results of the FIE, you can request an IEE or Independent Educational Evaluation. The district will pay for an evaluator who is not a district employee to conduct an evaluation. This information must be considered by the district. They don’t have to accept it, but they do have to consider it.
Do you know who the 4 key members of the IEP/ARD committee are?
Often there are many people at the special ed meetings, and the parent feels overwhelmed. Only these four matter: the parent, the administrator, the special ed teacher, and the general ed teacher. Of these, the parent is most important DESPITE how the school staff may treat you. My course teaches you how to step into your parent power!
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I’m Moving to Texas. Which District is Best for My Child?
This article addresses the most commonly asked question by new parents moving to Texas. Read it and be informed.
What Clients Say About Cynthia
“You provided me with eye opening information regarding insurance, what it covers, and how to navigate through the system and it’s protocols.”
“You have touched the lives of many and have empowered many more parents than you realize. I still remember you saying that we as parents are our child’s voice. You said to find it and speak up on their behalf, because, they can’t. Those words still live in my heart today.”
“Your help set the stage for the district to pay for his private placement without going to due process or mediation.”