I Hired an Advocate for Myself… Well, Kinda!
Big news around here: my husband and I are expecting our first baby! Our little one is due in February, and we could not be more excited to step into this next chapter. As we started dreaming about the birth and preparing for everything ahead, I quickly realized something: I know very little about navigating the hospital and medical system.
There are so many decisions to make, questions to ask, and things I simply didn’t know I needed to know. At times, it felt overwhelming and confusing. And honestly? It made me think about how so many parents must feel walking into their first IEP meeting.
I didn’t go to school to study medicine or labor and delivery—just like the majority of parents don’t go to school to study special education, disability law, or the IEP process.
So my husband and I decided to bring in someone who did.
No, we didn’t hire a special education advocate. We hired a midwife— someone with specialized knowledge who understands the system, knows what questions to ask, can help us understand our options, and perhaps most importantly, will be another set of eyes and ears making sure our wishes and values stay at the center of the process. Having that support has given me so much peace. It has also reminded me exactly why I do the work that I do.
When you’re navigating special education, you are not expected to be the expert. You know your child better than anyone. You bring your lived experience, your observations, your hopes, and your vision for your child’s future.
But you shouldn’t have to learn an entire system overnight just to make sure your child’s needs are understood and supported. That’s where an advocate can help.
My role isn’t to take over your child’s education or speak for your family. It’s to come alongside you—to help you understand what’s happening, identify the questions that need to be asked, prepare for difficult conversations, and make sure you feel confident advocating for your child.
Because sometimes, having someone in your corner who knows the system makes all the difference.
I’m dedicated to advocating for your child every step of the way.
You may not have all the answers and that’s okay. You didn’t study for this. But guess what? I did.
As I prepare to step into my most exciting role yet—motherhood—I’m also continuing to prioritize the advocacy work I love and support families through the IEP process.
And perhaps this new perspective as a parent will make me an even better advocate.
A Few Books Inspiring My Journey Into Parenthood...
Uniquely, Fully, Enough: The Neurodivergent Parenting Journey - A Memoir and Handbook
By: Vicki Christensen
A Parent’s Playbook for Raising Happy and Resilient Kids: Hard-Won Wisdom from My Life on the Autism Spectrum
By: Ben Haack
To celebrate this new season personally and professionally, I’m offering 25% off advocacy services through October.
If you’ve been thinking about getting support before your child’s next IEP meeting, reviewing a new IEP, or simply having someone help you make sense of where to go next, this is a great time to reach out.
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