FAQ
Frequently asked questions
The questions families most often ask me before we start working together. If yours isn’t here, ask it on our intro call.
Getting Started With a Consultant
Understanding the role
What does an educational consultant actually do?
I help families find the right school for their child — full stop. In my case, that means children with learning differences in DC/MD/VA, K–12. My job is to know the schools deeply, know your child deeply, and match the two. I’m not a therapist, tutor, or advocate — though my background touches all three. I’m the person you hire when the placement decision is too consequential to make on your own network’s word.
How is what you do different from a school’s guidance counselor?
A guidance counselor works for a specific school and typically supports many students at once, often without deep specialization in learning differences. I work for one family at a time — yours — and I know the specialized landscape of both public programs and private schools across the DMV. Guidance counselors and I are complements, not substitutes.
Do you take referral fees or commissions from schools?
No. My only source of income is fees paid by families.
What professional associations do you belong to?
IECA (Independent Educational Consultants Association), COPAA (Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates), CHADD (Children and Adults with ADHD), LDA (Learning Disabilities Association of America), and WISER (Washington Independent Services for Educational Resources). Membership badges are in the footer of every page.
Working Together
Process, timing, and fit
How does your process work?
I follow a six-step process — intake, review of records, related provider conversations, school observation, child conversation (if appropriate), and school recommendations with support through the admissions process. Full detail is on the How I Work page.
How long does the full engagement take?
Each family works differently. Some start to look at schools the year before they plan to apply. Others just a few months. For rolling admissions the timeline can be shorter.
When should we start?
Many families start the admissions process in the spring or summer before they apply. For public school program access, the timeline depends on your district’s placement cycle. If you’re unsure whether you’re on time, the intro call is free — start there.
Do you work with families who don’t have a diagnosis yet?
Yes, if you have enough information to know a formal evaluation is likely to be part of your child’s picture. If you’re at the very earliest stage — noticing something feels off but not yet exploring it — I can help you find the right evaluator, but placement work should generally follow evaluation, not precede it.
Can you help if we’ve already applied and it didn’t go well?
Yes. This is more common than families realize. Talk to me and we’ll figure out what happened and what to do next.
Do you work with families outside the DMV?
My placement work is specific to Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia because deep knowledge of the local schools is what makes the work valuable. Families relocating into the DMV are a natural fit — I can help you navigate an unfamiliar regional landscape before you arrive.
Cost & Logistics
Fees and getting started
How much do your services cost?
Fees depend on the scope of engagement and are discussed during the intro call. The intro call is free.
Is the intro call really free?
Yes. Thirty minutes, no pressure, no obligation. Its purpose is to let you learn about how I work and let me learn about your child and situation. If we’re a good fit, we discuss next steps. If we’re not, I’ll tell you that.
How do we start?
Schedule an intro call. There’s a button below.
Evaluations & Diagnoses
Testing, IEPs, and 504s
What’s the difference between an IEP and a 504 plan?
An IEP (Individualized Education Program) provides specialized instruction under IDEA (federal special education law) and is available only to public school students who qualify. A 504 plan provides accommodations under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. It applies in public schools, and many private schools will base a learning support plan on it. The 504 has a simpler qualifying process. IEPs go deeper — specialized teachers, specific goals, measurable services. 504s contain only accommodations, no specialized instruction.
Should we get an updated evaluation before starting placement?
Usually, yes. Evaluations more than three years old are typically stale for placement purposes, and schools reviewing an application want current data. If your child’s evaluation is older than three years or hasn’t happened yet, this is often the right first step. I can recommend qualified evaluators.
The Placement Landscape
Public, private, and everything in between
Should I keep my child in public school with an IEP or move to a private school?
This is the biggest question I get, and it deserves more than a paragraph. I’ve written a full guide: Public vs. Private School with an IEP: How to Decide.
Do private schools in the DMV really specialize in learning differences?
Yes — there are many, and each school serves specific profiles differently. Knowing which serves which is a large part of my job.
What if my child doesn’t fit the specialized LD schools?
Many children with learning differences are successful in mainstream private schools with accommodations. The right choice depends on your child’s profile.