MICHELLE GIVAN, MA
I am a non-attorney special education advocate in Birmingham, AL. My passion is helping parents of children with special needs get the services their children are entitled to while maintaining professional, effective relationships with schools. My mission is to equip you with resources and skills that enable you to become a successful advocate for your child. My introduction to self-advocacy occurred when I learned that my child required special education for autism spectrum disorder in 2008. While navigating the ups and downs that come with special education, I learned that I had rights, my voice counts and is to be respected, I have a say in what my child's goals, serevices, and accommodations shoud be, the people who helped my child are accountable for providing what the IEP states, and that if those responsible for implementing the IEP aren't doing that, I can get help from the state, an advocate, or an attorney. The IEP (Individualized Education Program) is not just a collection of forms. It is a legal blueprint for you child's educational experience. The IEP is supposed to be based on what is appropriate for YOUR child. It's not cookie cutter, and it's not a cut and paste document.
The experience with my child informs my advocacy work, but I bring more to the table than personal experience and good intentions. I earned a Masters degree in Special Education Studies from UAB, I owned a successful cognitive training center where my team and I improved learning outcomes for students with learning differences. I worked for an agency tasked with providing employment support for adults with developmental disabilities. I am a contract special education paralegal and intake specialist, Additionally, I am a member of COPAA, and I successfully completed their SEAT 1 and SEAT 2 special education advocacy courses.
COPAA, The Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates, Inc, is an independent, nonprofit, §501(c)(3)tax-exempt organization of attorneys, advocates, parents and related professionals. There are 9.5 million children with disabilities in America (under IDEA and Section 504 combined). COPAA members work to protect the legal and civil rights of and secure excellence in education on behalf of tens of thousands of students with disabilities and their families each year at the national, state and local levels.
Why I Do What I Do
My clients and I are always in a David vs. Goliath situation. We are not supposed to win. We are expected to accept whatever the district says, no questions asked. By the time parents find me, their children are suffering, and in some cases they are being retaliated against. The parents are broken, confused, afraid, angry, frustrated, and exhausted. They beat themselves up because they think they have failed their children. Their gut tells them that the school isn't giving their child what they need, but the district makes them think they’re crazy. They have been given false assurances, word salads, and outright lies, but the parents can’t prove it.
This is unfair and inexcusable. Parents and children have rights and deserve justice and fairness. My approach to advocacy is to treat parents, children, and district IEP team members with respect. I am not aggressive, but I get to the point. My greatest strengths are empathy, the ability to hear what my parents are trying to explain, clear and concise written communication, professional demeanor, and above-average competence.
I empower parents with the knowledge to successfully navigate the IEP process. I build the parent’s confidence while equipping them with the competency to ensure that district members of the IEP team abide by the regulations. I love what I do, and my goal is for you to be such an effective, competent, and confident advocate that you don’t need me anymore
Professional Services
IEP RECORD REVIEW
IEP MEETING PLANNING, PREPARATION, AND PARTICIPATION
PARTICIPATION IN IEP DEVELOPMENT
PROVEN EXPERT GUIDANCE
STATEWIDE ADVOCACY EXPERIENCE
FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION
REASONABLE FEES