School Based
IEP Support and Advocacy
We offer information and advocacy to parents navigating the IEP process. We keep your child front and center throughout the entire process. We help you understand your rights, the school’s likely responsibilities, and we advocate to get your child the help they require and deserve. We do our best to ensure that the school district does not utilize a one size fits all approach. When part of the IEP team we help to craft a document that is specific to your child and thoroughly addresses how best to support their learning and success. We then work to ensure that the document is utilized and implemented appropriately. Whole Child can help you navigate new or unfamiliar terrain and advocate for what your child needs. We know that you are your child’s best ally and advocate.
Paraprofessional Support
A school-based paraprofessional, also known as a shadow aide, is someone who attends school with your child to help them learn the skills they need. The para may focus on academics, classroom skills, impulse control issues, social skills, and/or following directions. There are countless skills required in a classroom. The para is there to provide your child with as much or as little support as needed to be successful in school. As your child becomes more independent, the para will gradually reduce their help until your child is able to navigate on their own. Whole Child has had much success with using shadow aides and has seen many students able to function independently after six months to one year. If your child does not need help during every part of the day, we adjust the program to focus on the most problematic times.
Independent Educational Evaluations
School districts may be legally required to assess your child to determine if they are eligible for Special Education services, and to determine what supports they need to be able to adequately access their education. If you disagree with the methods, results or for any reason, you may request that an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) be conducted at the school district’s expense. As a certified Non-Public Agency, the district may contract directly with us to provide an IEE. Please click here to learn more about assessment with us.
Teacher and School Consultation, Training, and Support
As we learn what promotes your child’s health and well being, we are often able to give your school concrete strategies to help your child be more successful. We offer different types of training to teachers and to the schools at large. We can target specific individualized approaches regarding your child. We also offer trainings and workshops on specific topics such as autism spectrum disorders, executive functioning, accommodating slow processors, and countless other topics. Our presentations are targeted to situations that teachers frequently encounter, how to understand them from a scientific perspective, and how to make small concrete changes to better meet the needs of neurodivergent students.