Special education advocacy
Special education shouldn’t feel like a battle you have to fight alone.
Jessica Polonsky is a non-attorney special education advocate who supports families of neurodivergent children with complex learning, behavioral, communication, and social-emotional needs throughout the greater Los Angeles area and across California.
Book a free intro callSpecial education produces a lot of information. Assessments, observations, goals, service minutes, eligibility criteria, recommendations. The hard part is deciphering what it all means - and what should happen next.
That’s where an advocate comes in. We help you translate concerns into concrete requests so you can walk into meetings confident in what you’re asking for and why.
Advocacy is not legal representation. It’s having someone who knows the system, where to push, and how to move things forward when the process leaves you asking, “Okay... now what?”
Well, that depends on where you are in the process. Here's what support can look like at each one:
The paperwork, timelines, and acronyms are new and confusing. We help you:
A plan on paper isn't the same as a plan that fits. We provide:
When the school says no, you have options. We support you in:
It’s one of the first questions parents ask when their child is struggling at school. Both can provide supports, but they’re designed to meet different kinds of needs.
| IEP | 504 plan | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A legal plan under IDEA with specialized instruction, services, and measurable goals. | A civil-rights plan under Section 504 providing accommodations and access. |
| Who it's for | A student whose qualifying disability affects their educational progress and who needs specially designed instruction. | A student with a disability that substantially limits a major life activity, who needs access and accommodations rather than specialized instruction. |
| What it typically includes | Goals, services, minutes, accommodations, placement, and progress reporting. | Accommodations such as extra time, seating, breaks, or assistive technology. |
| Evaluation & Eligibility | A comprehensive evaluation is used to determine whether the student meets IDEA eligibility criteria and needs special education. | The school evaluates relevant information to determine whether the student has an impairment that substantially limits a major life activity and is eligible under Section 504. |
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Schedule a free 20-minute consultation.
We'll help you figure out what comes next.
Book a free intro callAlso offered: Regional Center navigation, twice-exceptional support, and parent coaching.
