Effective and Collaborative Special Education Consulting for Children with Special Needs
Dr. Lewis is a Neuro-Developmental Disability Case Manager, Education Consultant & Behavior Specialist. In February 2008 she was appointed the Executive Director of the National Center for Autism Resources and Education and is the Clinical Director and on the faculty of the National Special Education Advocacy Institute. She is a nationally recognized expert in the areas of Autism, Transitional Planning and Inclusion.
Dr. Lewis offers educational consulting services to parents and lawyers in preparation for IEP meetings, inter-agency meetings, and due process hearings. She facilitates the identification of unique
educational needs & the development of individualized goals,
services & programs, for an educational plan, necessary to achieve
documented meaningful benefit and progress. This is done by:
1) a formal review of educational and clinical documentation to identify strengths and educationally based needs,
2) meeting with parents to obtain additional information and, if necessary, refer for appropriate evaluations either through the school district or independently,
3) attendance at IEP meetings with parents to facilitate development of an appropriate individualized educational plan (IEP) and to assist parents with procedural issues and navigation through the process,
4) assure that parents have a voice, act as a liaison and assist in ongoing documentation,
5) monitor IEP compliance and student progress,
6) assist in manifestation determination meetings, filing department of education complaints and parent's attorney in due process.
MARIE LEWIS, R.N., Ph.D., BCEA For over ten years Dr. Lewis has trained educational advocates and lectured nationally for disability groups, school districts, parent support groups and continuing medical and legal education programs. She has testified before the US Department of Education and has served as a consultant to special educational law programs in multiple states. She is on the advisory boards and boards of national and regional disability related organizations and schools. Dr. Lewis has journeyed the special education maze personally with a son who has autism and a daughter who was medically challenged.
Neuro-Developmental Disability Case Managers NDD CASE MANAGERS are special education and clinical consultants. They are clinically trained in neurology, psychology and behavioral health. They have extensive knowledge about IDEA, NCLB, 504 & ADA regulations.
NDD Case Managers are hired directly by parents or their lawyers. They are not parent buddies or paralegal advocates. They are cross trained in education, clinical and legal aspects of advocacy. They have specific skills and knowledge about documentation and identification of educational needs, types of evaluations, how disabilities affect accessing education, IEPs, behavioral and educational specially designed instruction / supports, procedural safeguards, educational negotiations, and non-adversarial dispute resolution methodologies.
Neuro-Developmental Disabilities Neuro-Developmental Disabilities include a diverse group of severe chronic conditions, syndromes, impairments or injuries. Dr. Lewis has consulted on a broad base of Neuro-Developmental Disability cases that include:
