shanai (MOTHER OF jaice, pre-k)

It took one session with Ms. Adams for me to realize that I did not fully understand how to read my son's IEP or how to properly write a parent input statement. Once she helped me interpret his IEP, we found that the goals and objectives were not reflective of the progress my son had since made. This meant he was not receiving the proper resources while in school because they were targeting areas that he had already mastered. 

Due to Ms. Adams' encouragement and the tools she gave me to learn and properly navigate through the process, I now understand my child’s situation better than before.  I am, now, confident when I talk to educators because I know what I am talking about. It seemed to me that right when my level of frustration with the school was growing, her teachings and guidance helped me realize that I could not choose emotion over passion. I am my son's number one advocate and needed to handle the situation gracefully.  Ms. Adams attended meetings with me and was always a phone call away to address any questions or concerns I had. All along, her support was the best remedy to help me move forward. 

Academic Advocacy & Consulting taught me the importance of fighting for my son's educational rights in a way that is proper, intentional, and respectful. As a young mom, Ms. Adams truly inspired me to want to be better and always go for the best for my son, no matter what. 

Thank you, Academic Advocacy & Consulting. 

From the bottom of my heart! 

 I recently started the PPT meeting process with my child and found it confusing. I felt like I was going with the flow, and that conversations were difficult to digest. After my second PPT meeting, I received my child's first IEP and while I knew what this meant, I did not really understand what it was. At the third meeting, I felt completely blindsided, very frustrated and at a loss for words with the recommendations and I, immediately, started to look for an educational advocate. 

I was given an Academic Advocacy & Consulting pamphlet, which I reviewed and immediately reached out. My first telephone conversation was about an hour, and I immediately knew I made the right decision. We scheduled our first appointment at a library in my town (which was very convenient for me), where my educational advocate listened to me, allowed me to be transparent without judgement and helped empower me. She reviewed my documents and met with me, later, to discuss them. 

With my educational advocates' support I was able to supply members of the planning and placement team a parent input statement ahead of my next PPT, which my advocate attended. This was a game changer for me. I wasn't being talked to but talked with as I had a well-informed second set of eyes and ears. 

My educational advocate is powerful. 

Through Academic Advocacy & Consulting, I was also connected to therapy services and am currently receiving free sessions. These sessions provide me a safe place to be transparent during these stressful moments. 

I am thankful for the peace that this agency has helped me achieve in troubling times. 

Our son was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder Level 2 in February 2023, and we began working with Academic Advocacy & Consulting in 2024. The agency could not have come at a better time. Ms. Adams began to coach on how to, peacefully, communicate with the school and be effective while instilling in us that, "The school is a part of Xye's support system and like most people, they will respond so much better when you're pleasant and calm." She also explained special education terminology, how to interpret our son's IEP and taught us the power of a Parent Input Statement and how to write one. 

Because of Ms. Adams' teachings, we began to communicate with the school staff so much more effectively during PPT meetings.  We now feel comfortable in communicating, listening and asking questions, and because of this, our son's needs started to be met at school.  

Xye has, since, transitioned into a new school district and with Academic Advocacy & Consulting's support, the transition has been beyond successful.  Xye is thriving, speaking in dialogue and making new friends. We are forever grateful and also honored to be a part of such an impactful organization and look forward to our son's journey through this collaboration. 

 Where do I begin…
I’m so thankful to have been able to work with Ms. Adams. She was AMAZING!! She made me comfortable talking about, expressing my feelings and dealing with my son’s developmental delay. My son was diagnosed with Autism in 2021 and receiving this diagnosis, as a single mom, was hard. It’s hard dealing with something you can’t fix and while I never feel like giving up, I am sometimes overwhelmed. 

I had been going back and forth with the school district and that’s a fight no one can fight alone. Therefore, when I was referred to Academic Advocacy & Consulting and learned of their current services along with what they have in the works, I began to get comfortable. Once the intake was complete, they helped me with so much and I was no longer by myself. In the end, I can say that my son is getting most of what I asked for in terms of proper educational services. 

Thanks to Ms. Adams & the rest of the team I can breathe a little better. I’m grateful and highly recommend Academic Advocacy & Consulting.

Working with Ms. Adams was very helpful in preparing for my son’s PPT.  She helped to focus the discussion on how to best support my son during his transition out of high school.  She also helped ensure the discussion focused on his strengths and included my input and not just what the school thought was important. 

Providing this input in advance of the PPT allowed the team to review our recommendations and consider them in the updates made to his IEP. Her involvement helped me to have a more focused conversation with my son around what he feels his transition should look like as well. 

 I look forward to working with Ms. Adams during the rest of my son’s high school career!