How much are you actually paying your advocates/attorneys and are they even worth it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This was back in the day, and maybe things have changed.

My son has mild autism, dyscalculia (disability in math), severe inattentive ADHD and very low processing speed, all of which meant he could not complete any work in the classroom at all. He was given an IEP straightaway, at Bethesda Elementary. He had pull-outs, a scribe (before he was able to write legible with reasonable speed) and group speech therapy for his speech delay, which also doubled as a social skills group.

Later on, with medication, executive function coaching and tutoring, he did a lot better. He was placed in the GT/LD program for middle and high school (gifted and talented, learning disordered, full of kids like him) and did well. He transitioned to a 504, since he did not need the IEP anymore.

This isn't a question of diagnoses, but of degree of impairment in the classroom. In elementary, my son simply could not function without services and accommodations. I've known plenty of ADHD/autistic kids with just a 504, because they were more functional than my son.

So how impaired is she?

You were lucky. We got 30 minutes group speech that was worthless as it was 6 kids with unrelated needs.

[Anonymous]

20:39. A word about learning disabilities like dyscalculia, dyslexia and dysgraphia. Schools do not actually treat these conditions, they accommodate them. My son was given calculator and typing accommodations. We had to tutor him in math every year so he could understand his classwork. All the families of dyslexic kids we know managed their kids' dyslexia outside of school with specialized tutors. There's only so much reading specialists can do in school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve yet to meet a parent that got what they needed without a lawyer.

I’m one of the posters who said don’t bother. And how many do you know who didn’t get what they wanted with a lawyer? It’s unfortunate but all of us know so many who have spent a fortune on lawyers for different reasons, especially after 2020 and trying to get compensation or placement or services. We all did the best we could but in the meantime, our kids got older. I’m one who didn’t and just quickly pulled my kid when things got bad. I’m fortunate that I found an alternative that worked and could afford to supplement and spend money on that instead.

Do what is right for your child. You will be the best advocate and always trust your gut.

None. Literally zero. Some didn’t get everything they wanted but nobody got nothing. Go in prepared, show the data, know the law, get what you need.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This was back in the day, and maybe things have changed.

My son has mild autism, dyscalculia (disability in math), severe inattentive ADHD and very low processing speed, all of which meant he could not complete any work in the classroom at all. He was given an IEP straightaway, at Bethesda Elementary. He had pull-outs, a scribe (before he was able to write legible with reasonable speed) and group speech therapy for his speech delay, which also doubled as a social skills group.

Later on, with medication, executive function coaching and tutoring, he did a lot better. He was placed in the GT/LD program for middle and high school (gifted and talented, learning disordered, full of kids like him) and did well. He transitioned to a 504, since he did not need the IEP anymore.

This isn't a question of diagnoses, but of degree of impairment in the classroom. In elementary, my son simply could not function without services and accommodations. I've known plenty of ADHD/autistic kids with just a 504, because they were more functional than my son.

So how impaired is she?

You were lucky. We got 30 minutes group speech that was worthless as it was 6 kids with unrelated needs.

I don't recall exactly how much he had in school, but it sounds similar to what DS got. The SLP at that elementary was wonderful. I was so sad when she retired. We also paid for private speech therapy, but the school SLP was actually better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Advocates are useless. Consider putting that money towards private school, and/or private therapies and keep her where she is.

This, in less she needs a private as things are that bad, you are better off paying for therapies and tutoring and/or a private school. It will take years to get anything done and many thousands that are better spent on her. Try doing the IEP on your own first with evaluations. Don't tell them you are doing things privately.

Private providers can help establish present levels. Well-established present levels are probably the most important aspect of getting what you need in an IEP.

[Anonymous]

They’re worthless.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP here- our advocate was better than our attorney, Kim Glassman, who was not worth really anything we paid.

OP here. Thank you, this is helpful. Do you mind sharing how much you paid per hour for the advocate? We have gotten quotes from $150 up to $300 per hour for advocacy and it has been so varied.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would start with an advocate to advocate for the IEP. Them get a lawyer for the placement issue down the line, since you aren't going to go from no IEP to restrictive placement in one step.

Nope, just go right to a special ed lawyer. Advocates are not a regulated field - waste of time and money.

OP here. The problem is that many of the lawyers we have spoken to want us to get an ed consultant first to do observations, etc to help the case. What do you do in this circumstance?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would start with an advocate to advocate for the IEP. Them get a lawyer for the placement issue down the line, since you aren't going to go from no IEP to restrictive placement in one step.

Nope, just go right to a special ed lawyer. Advocates are not a regulated field - waste of time and money.

OP here. The problem is that many of the lawyers we have spoken to want us to get an ed consultant first to do observations, etc to help the case. What do you do in this circumstance?

If the school is claiming the data doesn't support the need for an IEP, you have to collect your own data. And for that you need an observation. If the case goes to due process, you'll also need the ed consultant to provide expert testimony -- without that, the hearing officer is going to believe the school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would start with an advocate to advocate for the IEP. Them get a lawyer for the placement issue down the line, since you aren't going to go from no IEP to restrictive placement in one step.

Nope, just go right to a special ed lawyer. Advocates are not a regulated field - waste of time and money.

OP here. The problem is that many of the lawyers we have spoken to want us to get an ed consultant first to do observations, etc to help the case. What do you do in this circumstance?

If you believe your child has needs that are not being met and that will adversely affect her ability to learn you either do what the lawyers recommend or, if those needs can be met via outside services, you get the outside services.

It makes no sense to spend hundreds per hour on a lawyer and then not follow their directives. I mean, you will hamstring and prevent them from doing the job you want them to do.

You’ve been very vague about what it is you want for your child and what harm will come from not getting it. So no one can tell you if getting a lawyer or advocate has actual value.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would start with an advocate to advocate for the IEP. Them get a lawyer for the placement issue down the line, since you aren't going to go from no IEP to restrictive placement in one step.

Nope, just go right to a special ed lawyer. Advocates are not a regulated field - waste of time and money.

OP here. The problem is that many of the lawyers we have spoken to want us to get an ed consultant first to do observations, etc to help the case. What do you do in this circumstance?

You interview people and figure out what the credentials are. For an advocate you want a credentialed SN professional, preferably a teacher. And yes they work in pairs a lot of the time. That's normal. And the fees that were quoted you were normal. We pay $300 an hour.

[Anonymous]

It seems the responses in this thread are all over the place. Get an advocate/don't get an advocate. Hire an attorney/don't hire an attorney. Get private therapy/don't get private anything. It sort of proves the point that every child is unique. Every family has their own set of needs. It's best to talk to different professionals to see who might be able to help you move forward. I have heard of advocates for as little as $100/hour and up to $300/hour. I think most give you a free consult. Talk to a few and if there's someone who feels right to you use them. None of them are perfect but many can help you move forward.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This was back in the day, and maybe things have changed.

My son has mild autism, dyscalculia (disability in math), severe inattentive ADHD and very low processing speed, all of which meant he could not complete any work in the classroom at all. He was given an IEP straightaway, at Bethesda Elementary. He had pull-outs, a scribe (before he was able to write legible with reasonable speed) and group speech therapy for his speech delay, which also doubled as a social skills group.

Later on, with medication, executive function coaching and tutoring, he did a lot better. He was placed in the GT/LD program for middle and high school (gifted and talented, learning disordered, full of kids like him) and did well. He transitioned to a 504, since he did not need the IEP anymore.

This isn't a question of diagnoses, but of degree of impairment in the classroom. In elementary, my son simply could not function without services and accommodations. I've known plenty of ADHD/autistic kids with just a 504, because they were more functional than my son.

So how impaired is she?

You were lucky. We got 30 minutes group speech that was worthless as it was 6 kids with unrelated needs.

I don't recall exactly how much he had in school, but it sounds similar to what DS got. The SLP at that elementary was wonderful. I was so sad when she retired. We also paid for private speech therapy, but the school SLP was actually better.

All the school SLP's we dealt with were not wonderful. They were basic at best. Our private SLP was wonderful for years till she left to do something else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would start with an advocate to advocate for the IEP. Them get a lawyer for the placement issue down the line, since you aren't going to go from no IEP to restrictive placement in one step.

Nope, just go right to a special ed lawyer. Advocates are not a regulated field - waste of time and money.

OP here. The problem is that many of the lawyers we have spoken to want us to get an ed consultant first to do observations, etc to help the case. What do you do in this circumstance?

I would get a really good private evaluation first.

[Anonymous]

Do research into how many get placement. You cant get blood from a stone.