Ep 2: Leah Roberts - Special Education Advocate

The Brain Coach

What parents need to know to advocate for their child.

In today's podcast, Mary talks with special education advocate Leah Roberts from LMR Educational Consulting.

Leah is an educational consultant who helps parents of special needs children work with their child's school to secure support services. She helps parents understand the steps to get evaluations, 504s, IEPs. She teaches parents to effectively advocate for their children.

Leah has been a teacher, a reading specialist, and a special education teacher. After taking time to be a stay-at-home mom, she returned to education and oversaw IEP programs within schools. Eventually, she branched out and became a consultant, helping families navigate the complex process of special education. Today Leah fights to for students and families to ensure schools are meeting their obligation to help every student.

Mary and Lead discuss the complexities in understanding evaluation results, IEPs and 504s. And how, sadly, most parents find Leah only when they've hit rock bottom and are getting nowhere with the school on their own.

Leah explains why, in a perfect world, she wouldn't have a job. And why it's so challenging for school systems to properly train personnel on the laws impacting special education.

Leah provides advice for what parents can do if they suspect a learning issue in their child. And why learning struggles have become even more evident during COVID and online learning.

LMR Education offers free consultations, for more information, contact Leah through her website or through Facebook.

Please note: this podcast does not provide medical advice. The information, images and other materials contained are for informational purposes only. No information discussed is a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please seek help from your physician for medical questions or advice.