Our Services

Working to Close the Access Gap

If you have been on the special education journey with your child for any length of time, you’ve noticed a large access gap for children to get the support and services they need. Spark Education is thinking outside-the-box to offer solutions to the obstacles that prevent parents and children from getting high-quality educational consultation.

At Spark, we provide a sliding scale for payment to decrease the financial burden on families. We have flexible scheduling for meetings outside of the typical 9-5 workday to accommodate the unique needs of neurodivergent families. Our advocacy services can be 100% virtual to close the gap of services based on location and where you live.

Parent Coaching

Let’s partner together to understand how your child’s neurodivergence affects them uniquely and how we can customize their educational experience.

A parent coaching session may include:

  • A 60-minute call to share your concerns, goals, and desired next steps in the special education process

  • Exploring collaborative communication skills and how to keep detailed records and documentation

  • Examples of how to incorporate a child’s strengths and interests into IEPs or 504 plans

  • A detailed review of the child’s educational records

  • Neurodivergent affirming resources that provide support for their child’s unique learning abilities

  • Strategy sessions to decide which educational placements and services are most beneficial for their child

  • Review of your parental rights and your child’s right to a free and appropriate education (FAPE)

  • Discussing how the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) pertains to your child

  • Tips for building credibility with educators and making assertive requests balanced with respect and honesty

  • Coaching on neurodivergent-affirming parenting methods and how to advocate for the same at school

Cost: $75/session

IEP Review and Revise

Let’s make an Individual Education Plan (IEP) that is neurodivergent affirming and customized to your child’s unique abilities and specific areas of difficulty.

The IEP Review and Revise may include:

  • IEP or 504 plan review report

  • Analyzing educational assessments and other diagnostic measures to guide conversations about student placement in the LRE and receiving special education services

  • Suggesting accommodations and modifications targeted to support your child’s unique learning needs

  • Reviewing and revising your child’s IEP goals to make sure they are SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-Bound)

  • Including specific student information that further customizes the IEP such as assistive technology or supplementary aides/services

  • Writing requests and requirements for educator accountability in the IEP document

  • Documenting additional details that reinforce your child’s rights under IDEA

  • Comparing goals and objectives within the IEP to student data to ensure that expectations are appropriate and lead to your child making meaningful academic progress

  • A 60-minute follow-up call to discuss the IEP, specific concerns, and placement decisions

  • Unlimited email communications for two weeks after the follow up call

    Cost: $75/hour

IEP Meeting Attendance

IEP meetings are intimidating. It can feel like you’re on your own against a team of 6 or more educators. But, legally and practically, you are an equal member of an IEP team. You also have the right to bring someone to each IEP meeting for moral support or professional guidance.

The IEP meeting attendance package includes:

  • In-depth analysis of your child’s IEP with suggested revisions or additions before the meeting

  • A 45-minute strategy session to prepare for the upcoming IEP meeting and to discuss desired outcomes

  • Accompanying you to an IEP meeting to help facilitate communication between your family and the school staff

  • Presenting a neurodivergent-affirming approach by starting with your child’s strengths and how they can bolster the IEP

  • Clarification of the abundance of educational jargon and acronyms

  • Advisement on strategic questions to ask and help with challenging a decision made by educators

  • Support with ensuring relevant accommodations and modifications are in place

  • Assistance with determining an appropriate educational placement in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)

  • Introduction of documentation methods to hold educators accountable so your child makes meaningful progress throughout the school year

  • A 45-minute de-brief session to discuss the outcomes of the meeting and the next steps in the IEP process

  • Unlimited email correspondence for 2 weeks following the de-brief session

Having a professional educational advocate as your co-pilot relays the message that you are serious about the special education process and that you are committed to getting your child the services they need.

Cost: $75/hour

Classroom Observations

Did you know that you have the right to observe your child in the classroom setting?

You can schedule classroom observations to see your child’s learning environment and what modifications and accommodations are actively in place. You can also bring an outside professional to accompany you or send that professional on their own to observe at another time. Let’s enter the classroom with an analytical eye to find out what works and what doesn’t for your child.

The classroom observation plan includes:

  • Reading the existing IEP, 504 plan, or reports from service providers, before the observation to create custom feedback pertaining directly to your child

  • A 30-minute strategy session discussing any concerns, particular areas of focus, and details about the classroom setting

  • Accompanying the parent or conducting an independent observation of the child in their learning environment

  • A detailed report including: suggested (as needed) accommodations and modifications, additional services, supplemental aides, assistive technology, and specific instructional strategies based on the classroom observation

  • A 30-minute de-brief call to discuss the observation and provided report.

    Cost: $75/hour

Elopement Plans

Almost half of autistic children will elope at some point. Do you have an elopement plan for your child at home and school? Creating a customized elopement plan that identifies your child’s reasons for wandering or escaping could be life-saving.

We collaborate to create a plan for your child that includes:

  • An elopement prevention checklist for all adults involved in your child’s care

  • Specific teaching strategies for school staff to implement to reduce elopement occurrences

  • A school response checklist with procedures to follow if a child does elope successfully

  • An elopement report for school staff or parents to fill out after each elopement to analyze the reason behind the elopement and what can be done next time

  • A customized student profile that can be amended to the IEP with information about why your child elopes and what methods are effective in preventing elopement

  • A 45-minute phone call to discuss specific sensory triggers, environmental influences, and details related to your child’s elopement

    Cost: $75/hour

Hourly Services

Maybe you don’t need the more extensive services mentioned above. If you are looking for a professional letter advocating for your child’s rights addressed to the school or board of education or for emails sent on your behalf, then hourly services are for you.

Existing client services and additional coaching sessions are billed at an hourly rate. Some potential services and coaching topics include:

  • Assistance in requesting a Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA), Behavior Intervention Plan, Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE), updated assessments, or a change in educational placement

  • How to advocate for more detailed present levels of performance

  • Referral to an educational attorney

  • Professional advocacy letter sent on your behalf

  • Emails sent on your behalf

  • Dispute resolution at the school level

  • Guidance on how and when to file a state complaint, requests for mediation, or due process

  • Multi-sensory practices to educate your child at home and assist with homework

  • Consulting on neurodivergent-focused study habits and executive functioning strategies

    Cost: $75/hour

Workshops

Would you be interested in having a neurodiversity-affirming parent, educator, and advocate speak at your next event?

Professional Development Workshops for Educators

-Neurodivergent-affirming behavior practices

-Creating customized, strengths-based behavior plans

-Incorporating students’ special interests into classroom instruction

-Identifying and understanding behavior manifesting from different neurodivergent conditions

-Creating a classroom/school culture based on allyship and belonging

Workshops for Parents

-Neurodivergent-affirming parenting practices

-Collaborating with educators and service providers with transparent communication

-Understanding your role on the IEP team and what questions to ask in IEP meetings

Navigating the terrain of raising and educating a differently-wired child is like running a tough mudder. There are obstacles throughout but the race gets easier with more teammates by your side. Let’s partner together to talk all things neurodiversity affirming, IEP/504 support, collaborative relationships building, and customizing your child’s IEP.

*Contact us for pricing