ALMAAdvocate Like a Mother ApprovedSend a note

For parents of kids who learn differently

You are notalone.

Whether it is a toddler not meeting milestones or a student struggling in school, Kenzie is here to help.

The meetings that go nowhere. The forms that get lost. Being told to wait another year and see. If it feels like the system is built to wear you down, that is because it often is. You are not imagining it.

I am Kenzie. I am an educator and a special education advocate, and I am the mother of two boys, Tate and Grant, who have dyslexia, ADHD, and learning profiles that need individualized planning. I learned this system the hard way so that you do not have to.

Whether it's dyslexia, ADHD, or something else entirely, and wherever you are in the process from referral to analyzing an evaluation, Kenzie helps parents advocate for kids' right to the education they deserve.

Send a note to Kenzie

Introduce yourself and tell me a little about what is happening with your child. We will discuss whether a complimentary introductory call is appropriate, or whether I can offer other resources to support your family.

Kenzie at a kitchen table, pointing to a worksheet in an open binder while talking with one of her sons.

Who you are talking to

I learned the language they use to say no.

My boys are Tate and Grant. Both of them are dyslexic and have ADHD, and that is a small part of who they are. My goal has always been educational planning that highlights every way they shine and supports the places they need help.

It often felt like an uphill battle. I spent years across the table from people who told me to be patient, that he was making progress, that we would look again next year. Those were never answers. They were excuses used to delay, and they had me questioning my own intuition. It cost my children critical time. Once I had objective support, every gut feeling I ever had turned out to be there for a reason.

So I stopped accepting them and learned the rules nobody hands a parent. My undergraduate degree is in psychology, I trained in special education advocacy through COPAA, I studied the psychology of leadership at Cornell, and I am a Dean of Students, which means I have sat on the school side of the table too. IEPs, 504 plans, IDEA, evaluation timelines, the difference between what a school is required to do and what it hopes you never ask for.

Now I sit on your side of the table. I am confident that, as a parent, I am an equal member of the team determining the trajectory of my children’s education, and you can be, too.

You are your child’s very best advocate. I am just the one who knows the rules and wants to share them with you.

Kenzie and her husband holding Tate and Grant in a group hug outdoors.

What I bring to your meeting

  • Years on your side of the IEP tableAs Tate and Grant's mom, first
  • Undergraduate degree in psychologySUNY Oneonta
  • Special education advocacy trainingCOPAA SEAT Credential Program Certificate
  • Dean of StudentsAt an independent early childhood education school
  • Graduate Certificate of Advanced Study in Social Emotional Learning and Whole Child EducationManhattanville College
  • Psychology of Leadership CertificateCornell

What working together looks like

Four things that change how the next meeting goes.

Getting A Real Evaluation

When your child is missing milestones in the critical early years, or struggling once they are in school, nothing moves until they are properly evaluated. We cover when an evaluation may be warranted, how to request one in writing, the timelines the school is held to, and how to read the report you get back. We can also discuss whether MTSS or a 504 plan is being used to stall, because tiered intervention and accommodations are not legal reasons to postpone an evaluation when a disability impacting your child's education is suspected, regardless of severity. And when the school's evaluation doesn't reflect your child's comprehensive learning profile, there are things you can do so that no stone is left unturned.

Educational Impact & Eligibility

A clinical diagnosis can be an important piece of the puzzle, but on its own it does not automatically qualify a child for special education services. What matters is whether the disability adversely impacts the child's educational performance and creates a need for specially designed instruction or related services. We build a case in plain language: identifying your child's strengths, needs, and the supports necessary to ensure access, meaningful progress, and a bright future.

IEP & 504 Plans

Understand what your child is actually entitled to, starting with the distinction between the two. A 504 requires a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits at least one major life activity. That can be learning, but it can just as easily be health needs, communicating, or focusing. An IEP requires a documented disability under one of the 13 categories defined by IDEA, and that disability must adversely affect educational performance so that the child requires specially designed instruction. We discuss the history together, find out what is working well and what is missing, and make sure their needs are being met.

Talking To Your District

Learn the language the system responds to. Emails that get answered and documentation that supports your child's case going forward. Walk into meetings feeling prepared. And if the answer is still no, you don't have to navigate that alone either.

From families

Better meetings. Stronger plans. Kids who finally get taught the way they learn.

“Hearing that your child learns differently can be a significant adjustment, and learning to navigate the unfamiliar language and jargon that comes with it can feel overwhelming. Kenzie brings a collaborative, compassionate approach to advocacy, making what can be an intimidating process feel much more manageable. She creates an open and approachable dialogue, while sharing her knowledge in a way that empowers families to better understand their options and advocate confidently for their children.”

Shannon B.

“Kenzie serves as a knowledgeable and compassionate guide, helping parents move through a complicated system with greater clarity, confidence, and understanding. Kenzie brings a deep understanding of child development, learning needs, school systems, and student support. She recognizes that every family benefits from having a knowledgeable advocate who can help manage the process, ask the right questions, interpret recommendations, and ensure that a student's individual needs remain at the center of the conversation.”

Christine V.

“Receiving my child's diagnosis brought answers, but the challenge of securing school services felt paralyzing and overwhelming. I had no idea where to start. A friend urged me to ask for help and to reach out to Kenzie, who was part of SEPTA. The weight that was lifted off my shoulders when I told her about what was going on and how I felt helpless is hard to put into words, but I finally felt like someone understood what we were going through. I felt validated and heard. A complicated system was made straightforward. I finally had a plan and was advocating for my child. I'm forever grateful for the kindness that was shown to me, and I hope that once I'm through the process I can help other parents the same way.”

Kellie L.

“I cannot say enough wonderful things about Kenzie and the support she provides to families navigating special education. When my son needed to be evaluated, I had absolutely no idea where to begin. I knew nothing about the evaluation process, IEPs, or how to advocate for the services my child needed. Kenzie guided me every step of the way. She spent countless hours answering my questions, helping me understand the process, and making sure I felt confident advocating for my son. Her knowledge, compassion, and dedication are truly incredible. Because of her guidance, my son is now receiving the appropriate services, and we have already seen such amazing progress. I am eternally grateful to Kenzie because, without her help, I honestly wouldn't have known where to begin. I would highly recommend her to any parent looking for a knowledgeable, compassionate, and dedicated advocate for their child.”

Danielle G.

“Kenzie was so incredibly helpful while my family was trying to navigate the student support process and advocate for our daughter's educational needs. We had been given minimal guidance from the school system when previously attempting to advocate for her needs, and been faced with conflicting responses and closed doors for multiple school years. Once Kenzie became involved, we found that there was someone we could ask our questions to and guide us through the incredibly convoluted and confusing process. With her help, our daughter finally was able to get approved for the additional support we have been asking for.”

Jen G.

Get in touch

You don't needall the answers.

You just need to take one step. Introduce yourself and tell me what is happening. From there we will discuss whether a complimentary introductory call is appropriate, or whether I can offer other resources to support your family.

No judgment, just confidential support from someone who truly cares about all children getting the help they need. If what you need is something I cannot help with, I will tell you that too, and do my very best to point you toward someone who can.

Send an email below to connect.

Send a note to Kenzie

hello@advocatelikeamotherapproved.com
Email Kenzie

Write from wherever you prefer. A few sentences about your child is plenty to start.