Ballou Education is a special education advocate in Gilbert. IEP and 504 support for Gilbert families, from first evaluation requests through high school transition.
Gilbert parents are often told their child is “right on the edge.” Not far enough behind for services, not far enough ahead to stop worrying. Those are the families we help most: the ones who can see a problem clearly at home but cannot get the school to put it in writing.
Gilbert is served primarily by Gilbert Public Schools and Higley Unified School District, with charter and private options throughout the town. Both districts run solid programs, and both are large enough that the quality of your child’s experience depends heavily on the campus, the team and the specificity of the IEP.
We help families move from a vague concern to a documented request. That means knowing which evaluation to ask for, what data to gather at home, how to phrase the request so the district must respond, and what to do when the answer is no.
Early intervention matters most. If your child is in preschool or early elementary and you are already seeing signs, the least expensive and most effective time to act is now — before the gap widens and the school starts talking about “motivation” instead of disability.
We help you write the evaluation request, track the timeline and understand the assessment plan.
Explore evaluationsWe prepare you, attend with you and make sure decisions land in the document.
Explore IEP advocacyAccommodations for ADHD, anxiety, dyslexia, medical needs and recovery from injury.
Explore 504 advocacyStructured literacy, OG-based instruction and the difference between support and specialized instruction.
Explore reading supportFBA, BIP, suspension and expulsion support when behavior is connected to disability.
Explore discipline helpVocational goals, work experience and post-secondary planning for students 14 and older.
Explore transition helpThe largest district serving Gilbert, with elementary, junior high and high school programs across the town.
Serves the eastern portion of Gilbert with a growing portfolio of specialized programs.
Serves some southern Gilbert addresses.
Gilbert has a strong charter presence, including classical and accelerated models that can mask learning disabilities.
A full records review with a written summary of what the documents show.
Written requests, meeting preparation and attendance at the table.
Follow-up letters, progress monitoring and escalation only if it is necessary.
The district must respond to a written request for evaluation with prior written notice. It can refuse, but it must explain why in writing and tell you what you can do about it. Silence is not an acceptable response.
Dyslexia is not its own eligibility category, but it can qualify under Specific Learning Disability when it affects educational performance. The key is a thorough evaluation, including a pattern of strengths and weaknesses.
Yes. Charter schools are public schools and must provide special education. We help families hold charter operators to the same IDEA obligations as district schools.
Free consultation. No pressure, no jargon, just a clear read on where you stand.
