ALMOSO EDUCATIONAL SERVICES PERSONALIZED PATHS FOR EVERY ABILITY
YOUR PARTNER IN NAVIGATING THE K-12 JOURNEY
A Parent Seeking Clarity
A parent received a lengthy psychological assessment filled with technical language, test scores, and eligibility statements—but no clear explanation of what it all meant for their child’s future. After a professional review, the parent gained a clear understanding of the findings, learned which needs were overlooked, and felt confident participating in the IEP meeting with informed questions and advocacy.
A Student Needing the Right Support
Another student was found ineligible for services despite ongoing academic and emotional struggles. Through an independent review of the assessment and annual IEP, gaps in data collection and interpretation were identified. With clear recommendations, the family was able to request appropriate revisions and pursue supports that better matched the student’s needs.
DEDICATED SUPPORT FOR DIVERSE LEARNERS
special education services
Across all settings, my work has consistently focused on ensuring that evaluations are thorough, conclusions are data-driven, and recommendations truly reflect each student’s needs. This broad experience—spanning juvenile justice settings, public school districts, and charter schools—gives me a unique and informed perspective when reviewing special education assessments and IEPs for families.
ASESSMENTS
The law requires the school to assess the child in all areas of suspected disability. Depending on your child's needs, the assessment might include:
Health & Development: Vision, hearing, and medical history.
Academic Achievement: Reading, writing, and math skills.
Cognitive Ability: How the child processes information, memory, and logic.
Social-Emotional/Behavioral: Looking for signs of anxiety, depression, or ADHD.
Motor Skills: Evaluated by an Occupational Therapist (OT) or Physical Therapist (PT).
Communication: Evaluated by a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP).
IEP
IEP (Individualized Education Program): This is for students who need Specialized Instruction. It changes what a student is taught or provides specific therapy (Speech, OT, etc.) to help them learn. It falls under the IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act).
504 PLAN
This is for students who need Access. It changes how a student learns (extra time, quiet testing, modified seating) but does not usually provide specialized teaching. It falls under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (a civil rights law).
GOALS
IEP goals are the "engine" of the document. They determine which services your child gets and how the school’s success is measured. If there is no goal for a specific struggle (like "reading" or "emotional regulation"), the school technically isn't required to provide a service for it.
FIND YOUR SON ELIGIBILITY
Special education eligibility (ages 3–22) requires a comprehensive evaluation confirming a student has one of 13+ federally defined disabilities that adversely impacts educational performance, necessitating specialized instruction. Eligibility is determined by an IEP team, including parents, based on assessments, and is not solely based on the presence of a disability.