Today, we’re diving into the critical role of special education advocates with our guest, Sarah Baum. Sarah transitioned from being an educational specialist in public schools to becoming a non-attorney advocate for families navigating the special education system.

Many of us have noticed the increase in students diagnosed with disabilities such as autism. These numbers include students, like my son, whose disabilities significantly impact their ability to live independently.

Lynne is a reading specialist and treats children with decoding, comprehension, spelling, and written expression problems through worldwide acclaimed programs in literacy.

I don’t have to remind you how difficult it can be to raise a child with special needs. However, I am going to do it anyway. Along with the challenges of maintaining the daily activities we call family, a parent to a child with special needs may also have to advocate and/or or fight to ensure their child has the services they need to succeed.

Cydney holds a doctoral degree in Audiology from the George Osborne School of Audiology at Salus University in Pennsylvania. Her master’s degree in Audiology was awarded from the University of Denver and her undergraduate degree in Speech and Hearing from Indiana University. She is Board Certified in Audiology. Dr. Fox has been working with and assessing Auditory Processing Disorders since 2007.

ABA, Applied Behavior Analysis, is a popular program designed to improve the overall development of individuals on the autism spectrum.

If you are new to the world of ABA, then my chat with Melissa Willa of Gateway Learning Group is for you. We start with the basics of what ABA is, what it looks like from a parent and therapist point of view and how it is evolving over time.

Dr. Dana Chidekel started her career as a psychoanalytic psychotherapist. She subsequently completed training in neuropsychology. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatric Neuropsychology and the American College of Professional Neuropsychology. She is certified by the American Board of Professional Neuropsychology and by the American Board of Pediatric Neuropsychology, for which she also serves as an examiner.

Dr. Marta M. Shinn, Ph.D., is the founder of Variations Psychology, a private practice mental health clinic in Orange County, California that offers independent diagnostic testing and counseling services to children, adolescents, college students and their families.