ADVOCACY CONSULTING FOR FAMILIES

Unlock Your Child's Full IEP Potential!

When your child qualifies for special education, it’s like assembling a dream team of specialists: school professionals, occupational therapists, speech pathologists, and more—each with their own expertise. But who’s making sure all the pieces come together to create a truly effective IEP? And why aren’t these services working together to make progress faster and more meaningful?

We’re glad you asked.

Education Advocacy Consulting for Special Needs Children Illinois

Hiring Amy means having a special education policy pro, licensed clinician, former teacher, and mom to a child with special needs on your side.

Amy is not just tweaking documents; she’s your strategic partner, connecting the dots between all your child’s services to make sure the IEP isn’t just a pile of paperwork but a roadmap to real progress. With her clinical expertise, she makes sure the right data is collected and actually means something—no more vague goals or surface-level observations.

Amy helps parents and educators cut through the noise to define what progress really looks like—and how to track it. She also brings in better, more precise assessments, especially for conditions like anxiety, so kids get the support they actually need instead of a cookie-cutter plan.

Think you’ve got the IEP process figured out? Maybe, but every child is different, even with the same diagnosis. What worked before might not work now. That’s where Amy comes in. She makes sure that each plan is as unique as the child it’s built for—so they can THRIVE, not just get by.

When to Seek Support from a Clinical Educational Advocate

1. Transitioning from Early Intervention

"My child is transitioning from EI to school services – and I want to be more involved in their development plan."

  • Welcome to the "lost in translation" phase. When your child moves from EI to school services, it’s like jumping from one world to another—often feeling disconnected, unheard, and overwhelmed by a sea of professionals. But don’t worry! With a Clinical Educational Advocate on your team, you’re not just a parent in the background. You’re empowered with the knowledge and skills to actively shape your child’s development plan, making sure your voice is heard and your child’s needs are met.

2. Starting the IEP or 504 Plan Journey

"I’ve just learned my child may need special education services, and I’m overwhelmed by what lies ahead."

  • Finding out your child may need special education services can feel like being hit by a truck of uncertainty and worry. You’re left wondering what this means for their future, how to navigate the maze of processes, and where to even start. Enter the Clinical Educational Advocate—your guide through the fog.

    With both professional expertise and personal experience, Amy helps you understand every step, all while fiercely advocating for your child’s needs. Her clinical background ensures that interventions are not just compliant, but actually effective, using the right data and assessments to shape a plan that truly supports your child. So you can breathe easier, feel empowered, and know that your child is on the right path forward.

3. Revising Your Child’s IEP or 504 Plan

"My child has an IEP, but they aren’t making as much progress as we’d hoped—and I’m angry."

  • We get it. You’ve got an IEP, but somehow things aren’t moving the way they should be. That’s frustrating! The reason? Often, it’s because no one is keeping an eye on the whole picture, nor making sure everything is being implemented in A+ fashion. A Clinical Educational Advocate steps in to connect all the dots—ensuring goals and accommodations are aligned with your child’s actual needs, and nothing is slipping through the cracks.

    With her clinical expertise, she brings in the right assessments, fine-tunes the plan, and ensures that every piece of data leads to meaningful progress. Amy will bridge the gaps, revamp the plan, and get your child back on track for real progress. No more being heated just sitting on the sidelines.

What a Clinical Educational Advocate Actually Does

Gets to know your child inside and out.

Amy starts by diving deep into every piece of information, from testing reports to past therapy notes. She collaborates with the professionals who have worked with your child and even sets up a clinical "playdate" to assess how they interact in their natural environment. With her clinical expertise, she goes beyond the paperwork, identifying patterns and underlying needs that might be missed in standard assessments.

Revamps the IEP with purpose and power.

Amy attends school IEP meetings with your child’s best interests at heart, rewriting goals that are nothing less than magic solutions. She creates goals that target multiple skills at once and are designed to help those skills stick across home, school, and beyond. Plus, she brings clinical insights to the table, ensuring that interventions are backed by solid data, effective strategies, and a deep understanding of how your child's unique profile impacts their learning.

Empowers parents to lead the charge.

Amy ensures that parents are informed about their rights and the rights of their child. She teaches parents how to advocate for their child in a way that fosters collaboration and reduces conflict. With her clinical background, she helps parents understand the why behind the services and strategies being used, so they can confidently ask deeper questions and push for what their child truly needs. And if ever you're unsure or need advice, Amy is just a call away, ready to support you in your role as your child's best advocate.

Education Advocacy Consulting for Special Needs Children IEP Help Illinois

Why Amy’s Approach is a TOTAL Game Changer

Your Ride-or-Die Partner

With Amy in your corner, you’re never flying solo. She’s your sidekick, your right-hand advocate, and the ally you need to rock this school system - together!

A Full-Circle Approach

Amy doesn’t just see your child through the lens of “school problems.” She looks at the whole picture, connecting the dots between emotional, social, and academic needs. With her, you’ll get more than just an IEP—you’ll get a strategy that works for your child’s mind, heart, and future - not just for their diagnosis.

She Gets It

Amy doesn’t just listen; she feels what you’re going through. As a licensed therapist and a parent of a child with special needs, she understands the complexities, rather than just checking boxes. She’s tuned into the bigger picture, and she’s 100% got your child’s back.

She Trusts You

You know your child better than anyone, and Amy’s all about honoring that. She’s here to make sure the school sees the real of your child—beyond the mask they wear at school—and she’ll help make sure they get the right support because of it.

No More Banging Your Head Against the Wall

Amy knows how to get results without the drama. She knows how to push the right buttons to get the school to take EFFECTIVE action—no more endless meetings or fighting for the basics. She’ll ask the deeper questions to make sure your child gets what they need, and she'll do it smoothly.

More Than Just Advocacy

With her clinical background, Amy offers a 360-degree approach to your child’s needs—bringing together the best of educational support and mental health insight. Your child deserves both, and Amy’s here to make sure they get it.

Straight Talk, No Fluff

Tired of guessing? Amy’s got the answers to your toughest questions. With her expertise, she breaks down the complexities into clear, no-nonsense advice that’s actually helpful and gets to the heart of it.

Your Calm in the Storm

Navigating special education and advocating for your child’s needs can be downright frustrating. When you feel like you’re about to lose it, Amy’s the calming force that helps you breathe, stay grounded, and keep your head in the game.

  • “BEFORE WORKING WITH AMY, MY SON WAS FACING SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WITH BEHAVIORAL CHALLENGES AND STRUGGLING ACADEMICALLY. THANKS TO HER EXPERTISE, THE NEW IEP PLAN IS NOW FAR MORE APPROPRIATE AND EFFECTIVE FOR HIS NEEDS. THE RESULTS HAVE BEEN INCREDIBLE.”

    BRYAUNA (PARENT OF 7TH GRADER WITH ASD AND ADHD)

  • "BECAUSE OF AMY, MY CHILD WAS NOT MOVED OUT OF OUR DISTRICT AND SENT TO A BEHAVIORAL SCHOOL. WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND HER TO ANYONE LOOKING TO MAKE SURE THEIR CHILD'S IEP EXPERIENCE IS OPTIMIZED."

    WENDY (PARENT OF A 10TH GRADER)

  • “THROUGH THE CHALLENGING AND EMOTIONAL CHAPTER OF WONDERING WHAT WAS WRONG WITH OUR SON, AMY WAS A STEADY ROCK. THE FIRST HALF OF THE SCHOOL YEAR WAS FILLED WITH ANXIETY AND NOTES HOME. THE SECOND HALF HAS INSTILLED A LOVE OF LEARNING BACK INTO OUR SON’S ACTIONS AND WORDS.”

    CARRIE (PARENT)

  • "NOTHING ESCAPED AMY'S ATTENTION AND I WAS CONSTANTLY BOWLED OVER BY THE DEPTH OF HER KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE. MY HUSBAND AND I REBUILT OUR 3 YEAR OLD'S IEP AS A RESULT OF AMY'S GUIDANCE."

    COLETTE (PARENT)

  • "FROM THE START, AMY TOOK A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT APPROACH FROM THE OTHER EDUCATIONAL ADVOCATE WE HAD HIRED (WHOM WAS UNHELPFUL). AMY TOOK THE TIME TO TRULY UNDERSTAND OUR CHILD, EVEN MEETING WITH THEM PERSONALLY. BECAUSE OF AMY'S DEDICATION, OUR CHILD HAS MADE INCREDIBLE PROGRESS IN SCHOOL."

    MISSY (PARENT OF A 16 YEAR OLD WITH ASD LEVEL 1, ANXIETY, DYSLEXIA, AND ADHD; PARENT OF A 13 YEAR OLD WITH ANXIETY, ADHD, AND AN UNSPECIFIED MOOD DISORDER)

Frequently Asked Questions

  • First, we’ll have an initial phone consultation to make sure we’re the right fit. If we decide to work together, I’ll send over a contract to kick things off. Then, I’ll ask you to gather up all the relevant paperwork from your child’s school and other service providers. This helps me dig deep into the details and start understanding your child’s unique needs.

    Next, I’ll come to you! Think of it as a “playdate” assessment, where I get to see your child in their natural habitat. This gives me key insights that might not be visible to other providers.

    After I’ve got all the pieces, I’ll notify the school that we’re teaming up and schedule an IEP meeting. During that meeting, I’ll share new insights, clarify the bigger picture, and guide the team through creating (or revamping) a truly effective IEP. And I’m not going anywhere—I’m here for ongoing support, answering questions and tackling concerns as they pop up. Some parents are ready to take the reins after a while, but I’m always available when you need me!

  • I charge an hourly rate for all advocacy services, from paperwork reviews to IEP meetings to follow-up consultations. Don’t worry, quick phone check-ins and scheduling don’t cost a thing. After our initial consultation, I’ll provide pricing based on your child’s unique situation.

  • I don’t accept insurance for educational advocacy services, but here’s a little silver lining: the fees are tax-exempt, and you can use a health savings account (HSA) to pay! So you’ve got options to make it work for you.

Amy Slutzky, Special Education Advocate Consultant, Licensed Therapist, Mom with Special Needs Child

Get Started

Let’s find out if you need a clinical educational advocate consultant.
…If not, Amy can usually point you in the right direction.