Frequently Asked Questions

An IEP advocate is a specialist who helps families navigate the special education process. They review your child's IEP documents, help you understand your legal rights under IDEA, prepare you for meetings, and can attend meetings with you to ensure your child receives appropriate services. Unlike a special education attorney, advocates typically focus on the administrative process and IEP negotiation rather than litigation.

Meghan spent nearly a decade on the school side, writing IEPs, running eligibility meetings, and designing behavior programs inside California's largest school districts. She holds a BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst) credential and an M.A. in Special Education from San Diego State University. That school-side experience gives her an insider's understanding of how districts operate and what happens in the room before parents arrive.

Most families don't need a lawyer. Attorneys are expensive and are typically needed for due process hearings or litigation. An advocate is the right first step, advocates are significantly less expensive, understand the process deeply, and can resolve most issues without escalating to legal proceedings. If your situation does require legal action, Meghan can help identify when that threshold is reached and refer you to appropriate legal resources.

Yes. Meghan serves families in Charlotte and the greater Charlotte area in person, plus families in North Carolina and South Carolina. For families anywhere else in the US, she offers the same expertise via Zoom, IEP document reviews, meeting prep sessions, and strategy consultations.

An IEP (Individualized Education Program) is created under IDEA and provides specialized instruction and related services for students with qualifying disabilities. A 504 plan is created under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and typically provides accommodations without specialized instruction. IEPs offer more comprehensive support but require the child to qualify under one of 13 disability categories. The right path depends on your child's specific needs, Meghan can help you understand which makes sense.

A school's determination that a child doesn't qualify is not final. Parents have the right to request the denial in writing, request an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) at the school's expense, and dispute the decision. Understanding which steps to take, and in what order, is exactly the kind of guidance Meghan provides. Don't accept a verbal 'no' without exploring your options.

The free 20-minute consultation is a quick call where you tell Meghan what's going on with your child's education. She'll listen, ask a few clarifying questions, and give you honest guidance on what kind of support makes sense for your situation, whether that's a one-time document review, meeting prep, or something more ongoing. There's no obligation and no sales pitch.

Pricing depends on the service, a one-time document review or meeting prep session costs less than ongoing monthly support or meeting attendance. The free consultation is a good way to get a clear sense of what your situation needs and what an appropriate level of support looks like before committing to anything.