When her own daughter – diagnosed with dyslexia, dysgraphia and ADHD began to enter the process of eligibility and obtaining special education support and services Elizabeth saw (and felt!) how overwhelming the process can be for parents.  Elizabeth knew she needed help navigating the special education system and chose to work with Lorraine Hightower to advocate for her daughter.  Amazed at the tremendous impact that appropriate educational support and services made in her own daughter's life, Elizabeth became inspired to become an advocate herself.  After completing professional advocacy training she is passionate about helping other families navigate the difficult situation that she herself experienced and is dedicated to demystifying the special education process for families, ensuring that all children with dyslexia have access to an appropriate education that meets their unique needs. 

 

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Through her own personal experience and training Elizabeth has learned: 

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• The special education process can be very intimidating for families and many have no idea where to start.

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• Up to 1 in 5 children have dyslexia and many go undiagnosed; failing to receive the structured literacy intervention they need.

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• It is critical to get an appropriate evaluation of your child in all suspected areas of disability - and it is essential to analyze and utilize that data to advocate for your child.

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• Many children need accommodations and assistive technology to help them to access classroom material and to demonstrate what they know.

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Prior to beginning special education advocacy training and becoming an Associate Advocate, Elizabeth spent over 17 years in leadership roles such as Program Manager and Budget Analyst for the Department of Defense and the Intelligence Community.  In these roles, Elizabeth learned sound negotiating skills and how to conduct meetings and utilize data in order to achieve results. After years as an analyst, Elizabeth excels at understanding data trends and how to translate complex information, such as special education evaluations, into easily understood terms and concepts so that children with dyslexia can be identified early and receive an appropriate education. 

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Education and Training

• Certified Dyslexia Advocate - The Dyslexia Training Institute in San Diego, California

• Special Education Advocacy Training 1.0 - Council of Parent Attorneys & Advocates (COPAA)

• Bachelor of Arts in Economics – Mount Holyoke College

• Masters of Public Policy – George Mason University

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​​Professional Affiliations

• Council of Parent Attorneys & Advocates (COPAA)

• International Dyslexia Association (IDA)

• Member of Loudoun County Public Schools Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC)