Monica Trost has been on both sides of the table - as a parent of an autistic son, and as a School Psychologist. She recognizes the disconnection happens when there is a miscommunication between school team members and parents which breeds frustrations. She is an advocate for the child - and parents know their child best. Prepared Parent Advocate wants to empower parents with information so they can communicate effectively and get the supports their child needs.

You shouldn't have to be a lawyer, therapist, and educator to get your child the support they need. Prepared Parent Advocate is here to help you advocate smarter, not harder. Let's talk about where things stand - and where we can go from here.

I speak the language schools use, knowledgeable of psych-educational assessments, and can ask the right questions - giving you a strategic edge that most parents (and even some advocates) miss. I help you build airtight arguments using your child's assessments, progress reports, and documentation to hold schools accountable with evidence - and not just emotions.

A wonderful school team that communicates and supports your child is a dream - but also replaceable. New school teams are formed, and there is no guarantee that your team will stay the same as your child moves up a grade. Also, while a school team may have the best of intentions, sometimes they need support finding creative solutions so that your child is able to access the supports they need.

Navigating the special education process and understanding your child’s IEP can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. I offer personalized support to help you feel confident and prepared at every step. Together we’ll break down the special education process, review your child’s IEP paperwork, and/or discuss strategies for advocating effectively. I offer consultation and role-playing opportunities, so you’re fully equipped to communicate with your child’s school team with clarity and confidence.

While I don't attend IEP meetings with you, my goal is to empower you with the skills and knowledge you need to advocate for your child, no matter what challenges may come up. You’ll feel more prepared and confident in each conversation, knowing you have the tools to ensure your child gets the support they deserve.

Advocacy services can be conducted online or in-person at my business location.

Reach out today to start building your advocacy skills and ensure your child’s educational needs are met.

A skilled advocate can prepare a parent before the meeting by reviewing IEP documents, drafting questions, helping identify gaps, and organizing data to bring to the team. That preparation can empower a parent to be more assertive and effective - even without the advocate in the room. Also, not attending meetings is a strategic choice - some districts become more defensive when advocates attend. In these cases, advocates empower parents to lead the meeting while staying in the background to preserve collaboration. Many parents have secured services and placement changes based purely on strong prep.

While social media groups and Google can offer general advice, they can't provide personalized, strategic, and legally sound support. Monica Trost is a trained advocate who understands federal and California state laws, local school district practices, and how to interpret evaluations - something crowd-sourced advice rarely does accurately. Misinformation can actually hurt your child's case.

Monica Trost is licensed and practices as an Educational Psychologist within the state of California. Information shared is based on federal and California laws and practices. Because other states may have different laws pertaining to special education, it would be best for those outside of California to seek support within the state your child is attending school.