Clear answers. Steady guidance.
School Psychologists consulting and advocating for families nationwide.
You know your child. We know the school system. You shouldn’t have to become an expert in special education to get your child the support they deserve. We’re here to listen, help you understand your options, and work alongside you to find a way forward for your child.
A note from Alex, our founder
As a school psychologist, I watched caring, capable parents struggle to get help for their kids. The process is complicated, and too often no one had explained what to ask for or how to get started. As a mother, I also understand how personal these concerns are when they’re about your own child. I founded Special Ed Consulting to bring that school experience and parent perspective together.
Our advocates share that commitment. Every advocate brings experience as both a school psychologist and a mother. We listen to your concerns, explain your child’s records in plain language, and help you prepare for conversations with the school.
Explore Dr. Sassaman's backgroundWorking together
Start with a free 15-minute call. No paperwork or prepared questions needed.
Special Ed Consulting helps you identify the support and involvement that fit your family.
Know your next steps, with an advocate alongside you.
Services
These are flexible ways we can help, shaped around your family’s needs and the involvement you want. We’ll talk through options and fees on your free call. You don’t need to choose a service beforehand.
Make sense of your child’s records, evaluations, and concerns. Get a school psychologist’s perspective on what they mean, what to ask, and what your options are.
Decide what matters most, then get help turning your questions and requests into clear emails or talking points for the school.
An advocate joins your school meetings by video or phone to help you share your concerns, focus on your priorities, and understand what the school is proposing. We’ll prepare with you beforehand and send you a written summary afterward.
Our advocates are all trained school psychologists. Whatever you’re facing, we’ll help you understand it and decide what to ask for.
Alex’s background
I’ve worked as a school psychologist in 13 school districts across 5 states, from preschool through high school. I’ve sat in the evaluation meetings, written the reports, and helped teams decide what support a child needs. Every district does things a little differently, and I know how these decisions get made. I use that to help you understand them and speak up with confidence.
I’ve been a Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) since 2012. This credential, awarded by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP), reflects advanced graduate training, supervised experience, and a passing score on the national exam. I keep it current through ongoing professional development, so the guidance you get from me reflects current best practice.
Our advocates
Whichever advocate you work with, you’re getting someone who has done this work professionally. Our advocates specialize in:
Evaluations & bilingual assessment
JoAnn evaluates students ages 3–21 and helps families make sense of results. Bilingual in English and Spanish, she brings experience with IEPs, eligibility, and school meetings.
Before becoming a school psychologist, JoAnn served in the U.S. Army. Her school psychology work now centers on comprehensive evaluations for students ages 3-21, assessing cognitive, academic, social-emotional, adaptive, and executive functioning skills. Bilingual in English and Spanish, she has worked with parents, IEP teams, and school staff to interpret results and determine special education eligibility and placement.
JoAnn has developed, monitored, and managed IEPs, conducted FBAs, and created BIPs. JoAnn has also led manifestation determination meetings and participated in 504 meetings for students with mental health diagnoses. Beyond assessment, she has run intervention groups for social skills, working memory, and executive functioning, and trained school staff in assessment interpretation, culturally responsive practices, and equitable referrals and placement for multilingual learners.
JoAnn earned an Ed.S. in School Psychology and an M.A. in Psychology from The Citadel, and a B.S. in Sociology from the College of Charleston. She holds school psychology certifications in Washington, Arizona, and Illinois.
Before becoming a school psychologist, JoAnn served in the U.S. Army. Her school psychology work now centers on comprehensive evaluations for students ages 3-21, assessing cognitive, academic, social-emotional, adaptive, and executive functioning skills. Bilingual in English and Spanish, she has worked with parents, IEP teams, and school staff to interpret results and determine special education eligibility and placement.
JoAnn has developed, monitored, and managed IEPs, conducted FBAs, and created BIPs. JoAnn has also led manifestation determination meetings and participated in 504 meetings for students with mental health diagnoses. Beyond assessment, she has run intervention groups for social skills, working memory, and executive functioning, and trained school staff in assessment interpretation, culturally responsive practices, and equitable referrals and placement for multilingual learners.
JoAnn earned an Ed.S. in School Psychology and an M.A. in Psychology from The Citadel, and a B.S. in Sociology from the College of Charleston. She holds school psychology certifications in Washington, Arizona, and Illinois.
Learning needs & intervention planning
Susan has 13 years of experience as a school psychologist. Her work includes evaluations, IEPs, behavior supports, and identifying barriers to learning.
Susan has 13 years of experience as a school psychologist and has worked in New York and Arizona, evaluating special education eligibility with multidisciplinary teams and identifying barriers to learning. She is certified in school psychology in New York and Washington. Her education includes an M.S. in School Psychology from the University at Buffalo and a bachelor’s degree with a double major in English and Psychology from Oswego State University. She also holds a C.A.S.
In her school roles, Susan has administered assessments and developed and implemented IEPs, FBAs, and BIPs. She has designed intervention and progress monitoring systems and led individual and group sessions focused on communication, problem solving, self-regulation, emotional regulation, and interpersonal skills.
Before her school psychology work, Susan managed the Oswego Newborn and Infant Development Project at Oswego State University, studying the impact of environmental toxicants on child development. Her responsibilities included assessing parents and participants, developing computer-based assessment tasks, overseeing data security and research protocols, and training staff.
Susan has 13 years of experience as a school psychologist and has worked in New York and Arizona, evaluating special education eligibility with multidisciplinary teams and identifying barriers to learning. She is certified in school psychology in New York and Washington. Her education includes an M.S. in School Psychology from the University at Buffalo and a bachelor’s degree with a double major in English and Psychology from Oswego State University. She also holds a C.A.S.
In her school roles, Susan has administered assessments and developed and implemented IEPs, FBAs, and BIPs. She has designed intervention and progress monitoring systems and led individual and group sessions focused on communication, problem solving, self-regulation, emotional regulation, and interpersonal skills.
Before her school psychology work, Susan managed the Oswego Newborn and Infant Development Project at Oswego State University, studying the impact of environmental toxicants on child development. Her responsibilities included assessing parents and participants, developing computer-based assessment tasks, overseeing data security and research protocols, and training staff.
IEP support & parent advocacy
Sherna brings over a decade of special education experience. She helps families understand the process, navigate school supports, and build confidence advocating for their children.
Sherna brings over a decade of special education experience to her work as a certified school psychologist and parent advocate. Since her certification in 2013, she has served students from kindergarten through 12th grade in diverse school settings across New York, Washington, Maryland, Delaware, and Indiana.
Working alongside families and school teams, Sherna has conducted educational evaluations, developed and reviewed IEPs, and participated in school team meetings. FBAs and BIPs are also part of her background in supporting students’ educational needs.
In her parent advocacy work, Sherna helps families understand the special education process, navigate school-based supports, and build confidence advocating for their children. She believes parents should feel informed, heard, and empowered when making decisions about their child’s education.
Sherna brings over a decade of special education experience to her work as a certified school psychologist and parent advocate. Since her certification in 2013, she has served students from kindergarten through 12th grade in diverse school settings across New York, Washington, Maryland, Delaware, and Indiana.
Working alongside families and school teams, Sherna has conducted educational evaluations, developed and reviewed IEPs, and participated in school team meetings. FBAs and BIPs are also part of her background in supporting students’ educational needs.
In her parent advocacy work, Sherna helps families understand the special education process, navigate school-based supports, and build confidence advocating for their children. She believes parents should feel informed, heard, and empowered when making decisions about their child’s education.
From parents
So I can use the questions in my meeting with them when I go, so you basically prepared for me. Oh wow!
I was thinking, how the heck am I going to prepare for this meeting with everything going on right now????
But you did it for me. And here I was trying to answer the questions. 😂 Huge sigh of relief. Thank you!!!
Thank you again for speaking with me yesterday. Before we talked, I wasn’t sure what to expect from this meeting, but you gave me clarity and a clear next step. I wanted to go ahead and share what I’d learned. Thank you!
Thank you so much for everything you've done for my daughter and grandson. We were feeling so overwhelmed, and you helped us understand what he needed and how to get him the right support. You have been such a blessing to our family, and I can't tell you how grateful we are for your kindness, patience, and guidance!
Alex, I can't thank you enough for everything you've done for my daughter. I've been trying to get her the help she needs for so long, and you finally made it happen. You listened when I felt like no one else would, and you never gave up on us. I only wish we'd found you sooner. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
We’ll talk through your concerns and the level of support that would help your family. Ask whatever’s on your mind, and we’ll figure out the next step together.
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FAQ
No. Many families come to us before their child has one, unsure whether to request an evaluation or how to start. We can talk through your concerns and build a plan to help you get your child the support they need.
Yes. We can attend initial referral, IEP, 504, and eligibility meetings virtually. Book a call to explore how we can support you.
No. School decisions and outcomes cannot be guaranteed. We help you understand your child’s data and options so you can make clear, well-supported requests.
Yes. We work with families across the country, and all of our support is virtual, so location isn't a barrier. Special education rules vary by state, so we review your state's specific requirements and safeguards as part of working together.
Yes. We treat your child’s records and our conversations as confidential. We never share information with your school or other professionals without your permission, except where the law requires it.
No. We provide consulting and advocacy, not legal advice or representation. Due process, mediation, and state complaints are outside our services.
In many cases, yes. A suspension or possible expulsion doesn’t mean your child’s protections disappear. You don’t have to figure out what happens next on your own.
We can help you understand the school’s decision, review your child’s records, and prepare for or join school discipline meetings, including manifestation determination reviews. These meetings look at whether the behavior was connected to your child’s disability or whether the school failed to follow the IEP.
Contact us with what happened and any upcoming meeting date. We’ll help you understand your options and how we can support you.
Let us know as soon as possible, even if you’re not sure there’s enough time. Share the meeting date and what you need help with, and we’ll let you know what support we can offer.
No. We review existing school or private evaluations and provide educational consulting and advocacy. We do not provide new testing, diagnosis, or treatment.
Schedule a call and we’ll talk through your concerns and the level of support you’d like, then explain your options and what they cost.
Get in touch
Virtual consulting & advocacy
Serving families nationwide
Already working with us? Your advocate will send a link to book each call when the work is ready. Contact Special Ed Consulting to cancel or reschedule.
