Make the right decisions for your child's special education.
Preparation
Reading through school testing and outside evaluations can be overwhelming. Let us answer your questions and explain what those results look like for your child in a classroom. Then we can help translate testing results into understanding eligibility for Special Education, services, accommodations and modifications.
IEP Review
Kids change, IEPs need to keep up. We will review testing and school reports and give you recommendations to help make sure your child is getting the right supports, right now. We will also help you think ahead about transitions and how you and the school can be proactive to help your child.
Advocacy
It is always beneficial to have an impartial person at any Team meeting. We can be that extra set of ears and help you process and reflect on the outcome of a meeting. As much as we always want to work collaboratively with schools, sometimes parents and the school have different opinions about what is best for a child. We can help you navigate the process and if conflict arises we will advocate for the best possible outcome.
Action Plan
All of our services include a written action plan based on our review of documents and our intake and meeting with you. In this plan we will clearly spell out next steps for you, as well as recommendations for services, accommodations and modifications. The action plan is your golden ticket into a successful IEP meeting.
ABOUT US
Ruth McGary, JD
​
-
BA in Sociology/Psychology from University of Texas at Austin
-
JD from Suffolk University School of Law
-
Member of the Massachusetts BAR since 2005
-
Trained as an Education Advocate and Parent Consultant through the Federation for Children with Special Needs
-
Worked for 2 years in the Newton public schools as a special education inclusion facilitator.
My life changed the day my son’s pre-school teacher told me she thought he was autistic. My son was evaluated, qualified for an IEP and was placed into an integrated full day preschool program. The stress and anxiety I felt was like no other. I kicked into high gear and brought him to specialists and had a private neuropsych. I was going to do whatever I could to make my son “better.” At three years old, the private testing was inconclusive and the diagnosis of autism was not given and for me, this was a relief. I thought it meant something. I thought that the label of autism was earth shattering. I was alone and at the beginning of a journey that would change my way of thinking forever. My son is now sixteen and I embrace his autism diagnosis. The journey into special education for my family was emotional, but as a lawyer I had studied educational law which gave me the insight to advocate and work with the school system to tailor a unique, strong learning plan to ensure my son's success.
We all have a starting point with special education and no one should go through the process alone. My wish is to lead as many families as possible through the complex and sometimes daunting special education process.
Jessica Kemp, M.Ed
​
-
BA in Human Development and Elementary Education with Moderate Special Needs from Boston College
-
M.Ed. in Special Education from Boston College
-
Certified in MA in both Elementary Education (1-6) and Special Education (PreK-9)
-
Experience as an Elementary Special Education Teacher, a 5th grade classroom teacher, in Early Education classrooms, and as a Math Interventionist
As a parent of a child on the Autism Spectrum I have had the opportunity to experience the Special Education process from both sides of the table. There have been many times when my husband and I have had to grapple with difficult decisions about services and placement. We have watched our child struggle with anxiety, isolation and stigma. We have made a lot of progress, but we have not lost sight of those painful days.
In times when we were faced with a difficult decision my husband would often say, “What do families do that don’t have a Special Ed Teacher in the house? What happens to those kids?” This is what motivated me to start Key Special Education. I want to share the information I have gained both personally and professionally in a way that is accessible and empowering.