What does an Educational Consultant do?

Educational consultants are extremely varied and tend to specialize in particular areas of education, such as K-12 or higher education. There may be further specialization of the educational consultant in such areas as special education, private or public education, boarding schools and so on. At H2D Counseling, we have extensive experience working with a very diverse group of students that have had environmentally-based and biologically-based advantages and disadvantages (e.g., SES, ethnicity, ability, etc.). We specialize in working with students on issues related to their academics, financial aid and careers. I believe that no student is exactly like another and the entire person must be considered in order to properly assist him or her.

What does an Educational Advocate do?

Educational advocates represent the student or family (depending on the student’s age and grade level) by directly working with the school or college. Sometimes both sides are unable to arrive at a common solution on their own. This is usually when an advocate is sought by the student and/or family. The ultimate goal of an advocate is to present the student’s and/or parents’ side of a situation or problem while working toward a resolution. Understanding school policies and procedures as well as the student’s and parents’ rights are essential in order to arrive at the best possible outcome. It is the duty of the advocate to educate the family and/or student accordingly as well as obtain relevant information if it is unknown. It is important to note that an educational advocate is not a lawyer, and must understand his or her professional and legal limitations in order to be of utmost assistance to the student and/or family.

H2D Counseling advocates for families primarily based on the needs of the student. At each step of the process, we provide the student and/or family with a professional opinion regarding the best course of action and referrals if necessary. We have assisted students with a variety of issues in grades K-12, college and graduate school, particularly for students with disabilities. Our services include advocacy for students with learning disabilities, ADHD, and emotional and mental health related disorders. Our approach is to foster a collaborative relationship with the student’s school, and to promote a positive relationship between the student and/or family and the school. Throughout the process, we encourage and educate families and students to continually learn about relevant policies, procedures and laws in order to gain the tools to advocate on their own behalf.

What is the benefit of having one person who does both consulting and advocacy?

A well-trained educational consultant with direct experience working within the educational system on behalf of families is able to help ensure that students’ needs are met by their school. Advocates and consultants are responsible for putting the needs of the student first, and should educate families on what they are entitled to under the law (e.g., FAPE or Fair and Appropriate Public Education, LRE or Least Restrictive Environment, etc.). Both a good advocate and a good consultant work diligently on behalf of the family, however, each has specific areas of expertise that may overlap to some extent.

H2D Counseling is experienced at working one-on-one with students on educational and career goals while taking into consideration their level of development and social-emotional well-being. Additionally, we are experienced at advocating on behalf of families to ensure that they are treated fairly and their rights are protected. This enables us to seamlessly assist students in many areas related to their academic progress and achievement with attention paid to their future endeavors.

Am I able to advocate for myself?

Absolutely. We encourage it, even as you work with an advocate. However, you will quickly learn if you have not already that there are several benefits to having an advocate. Generally speaking, the experience of advocating for your child within the educational system (particularly K-12 education) is very time consuming and frustrating. Having someone who is able to navigate through the educational system and effectively work with your school on your behalf is very beneficial. Depending on your needs and circumstances, there may be a great deal of jargon, legality, policies, procedures and bureaucracy to overcome. This is particularly true when dealing with matters related to a disability.

Advocating for yourself or your child is also very challenging, because it is difficult to maintain a necessary level of emotional distance and objectivity. Similar to having a lawyer defend themselves in court, representing yourself is possible but may be very risky depending on the circumstances. Working with an educational advocate or consultant may save you a great deal of time, aggravation and money.

Why choose H2D Counseling over other options?

Working with H2D Counseling is a personal choice that each family must make for themselves. As with all counseling, college counseling works best when there is a good fit between the client and the counselor. What is unique about H2D Counseling is that the services are provided to families at any stage of the student’s educational level. We think long-term and plan ahead in order to help to prevent future obstacles while assisting you presently.

Testimonial

H2D Counseling has done a great job in giving me tips on college essays and my resume and searching for colleges. My H2D counselor also helped me with my insecurity about being able to get into prestigious schools.

Matt B. (high school student)