If you are searching for a special education advocate, an IEP advocate, or a 504 plan advocate in Arizona or California, Ballou Education is ready to help. With more than 32 years of experience and offices in Scottsdale, Arizona, and Beverly Hills, California, we stand beside families of children with disabilities, twice-exceptional (2e) learners, and gifted students across the Phoenix metro and greater Los Angeles — in IEP meetings, 504 meetings, MET and RED meetings, and every other conversation that decides what services your child receives.

An educational advocate is not an attorney, and the difference matters. Our role is to understand your child’s rights under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 504, and state law — the California Education Code or Arizona’s special education statutes — help you interpret evaluations and reports, prepare for every meeting, and work collaboratively with your school team to secure the services your child needs. When legal action may be necessary, we advise you on the strength of your case and connect you with experienced special education attorneys.

Advocacy is most powerful when it starts early. Whether your child is new to special education, has an IEP that is not being implemented as written, needs a 504 plan for a health condition, or is transitioning between schools, having an advocate who knows your district and your child’s rights changes the outcome of the conversation — and we have the track record to prove it.

Meetings We Assist With

• 504 and IEP meetings at every stage — initial, annual, and amendment

• FBA / BIP meetings for behavioral concerns and functional behavior assessments

• Meetings addressing bullying concerns and school safety

• Parent-teacher conferences and classroom observations

• Transition planning, including high-school-to-adulthood and grade-to-grade transitions

• Manifestation determination reviews (MDR) for disciplinary matters

• Disciplinary due process hearings

• Resolution meetings and mediation sessions

Additional Advocacy Services We Offer

• Consultation and recommendations on placement, scholarships, and funding options

• Development of individualized education plans with quarterly monitoring

• Direct negotiation with schools on your child’s behalf

• Attendance at MET, RED, IEP, and 504 meetings

• Advising parents on meeting strategy before and during conversations

• Recommendations of specialists, evaluators, and clinicians who fit your child’s needs

• Interpretation of evaluation reports, assessments, and school documents in plain language

• Assistance drafting written requests, correspondence, and formal complaints

• Reviewing school documents for accuracy before you sign them

• Accompanying parents to meetings, observations, and school visits

• Advice on the strength of your case and referrals to special education attorneys when needed

• Classroom observation reports you can use in meetings and in writing

• Preparation for meetings, including role-play and talking points

• Drafting letters, complaints, and requests to the district

• Consulting and educating families so they understand their rights for years to come

• Advocacy in all areas of a child’s education, from preschool through transition

No concern is too small to bring to us — a parent’s instinct is usually right, and an early conversation can prevent a small issue from becoming a crisis. Tell us what is happening at school, and we will tell you honestly what your child needs and how we can help.