Valerie Aprahamian's guest appearances

Valerie Aprahamian

Small Biz Buzz, by Keap

Special Education Matters

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Wickedly Smart Women

Mitt Romney

Chris Ducker

Corin Grillo

Jasmine Star

Laura Roeder

Jake Johnson

Dobbin Buck

Debi Silber

Kimberly Seltzer

Chris Prefontaine

Kathy Fettke

Kim Taylor

Veronica Belmont

John Jantsch

Danielle Gibson

OwlTail

Valerie Aprahamian, who is the founder of Advocates for Angels, joins Small Biz Buzz in our Big Grit docuseries to talk about how her company supports and protects parents of children with special needs and developmental disorders through their Individual Education Programs (IEPs). Valerie’s daughter, Chanel, was diagnosed with autism and a very life-threatening seizure disorder, at the age of three years old, by a team by pediatric neurologists at UCLA. That doctor told Valerie that Chanel would never read, write, talk or ever be successful in school. It was also most likely she would have to institutionalize her. “At that time, I didn't even really know what autism was other than I knew it was a very profound disability,” said Valerie. “So immediately I started educating myself on special education law, and I started finding out what her needs were, what autism was, and how to get her the help she needed.” Valerie was immediately awoken to the reality of special education, the bureaucracy of the institution, and the segregation that they placed upon these kids. She immediately knew she wanted her daughter in a regular school with regular kids in a general education class. “They thought I was crazy because they weren't doing inclusion back then. So I was successful in having Chanel be placed in a general ed class at five years old,” said Valerie. “She was the first child with the diagnosis of autism to be placed in a general education classroom in my local school district. So that's the beginning of the story.” Click play for more.

<p>Valerie Aprahamian, who is the founder of Advocates for Angels, joins Small Biz Buzz in our Big Grit docuseries to talk about how her company supports and protects parents of children with special needs and developmental disorders through their Individual Education Programs (IEPs).</p> <p>Valerie’s daughter, Chanel, was diagnosed with autism and a very life-threatening seizure disorder, at the age of three years old, by a team by pediatric neurologists at UCLA. That doctor told Valerie that Chanel would never read, write, talk or ever be successful in school. It was also most likely she would have to institutionalize her.</p> <p>“At that time, I didn't even really know what autism was other than I knew it was a very profound disability,” said Valerie. “So immediately I started educating myself on special education law, and I started finding out what her needs were, what autism was, and how to get her the help she needed.”</p> <p>Valerie was immediately awoken to the reality of special education, the bureaucracy of the institution, and the segregation that they placed upon these kids. She immediately knew she wanted her daughter in a regular school with regular kids in a general education class.</p> <p>“They thought I was crazy because they weren't doing inclusion back then. So I was successful in having Chanel be placed in a general ed class at five years old,” said Valerie. “She was the first child with the diagnosis of autism to be placed in a general education classroom in my local school district. So that's the beginning of the story.”</p> <p>Click play for more.</p>

130—Big Grit: Valerie Aprahamian

Every child has the potential to live a fulfilling life IF they get the education they deserve. But for the 7M students in the special ed system, access to that education is not a given. So, what can the parents of neurodiverse kids do to advocate for their children? Valerie Aprahamian is the special education advocate and coach behind Advocates for Angels, an organization devoted to protecting the rights of parents of neurodiverse children in the development of their child’s Individual Education Program, or IEP. In the last 22 years, Valerie has attended 4K-plus IEP meetings and mastered the skills necessary to ensure that the students she represents leave high school with the skills necessary to lead a purposeful life. Valerie has also built a virtual parent training program that empowers parents to become effective advocates for their children and create powerful shifts in the special education system. On this episode of Wickedly Smart Women, Valerie joins Emerald to share the story of her daughter Chanel’s autism diagnosis, explaining why she advocated for her daughter to be placed in a general education class and how Chanel proved the experts wrong by graduating with honors. Valerie discusses why it’s crucial for parents to know their rights around the IEP process, describing how her virtual training academy helps moms and dads secure what their child needs to be successful. Listen in for Valerie’s advice to parents struggling with the special ed system and learn what YOU can do to help neurodiverse kids get the education they deserve! What You Will Learn How Valerie’s daughter’s autism diagnosis inspired her current work Why Valerie advocated for her daughter to be placed in a general education class How Valerie’s daughter proved the experts wrong by graduating with honors Why it’s crucial for parents to know their rights around the IEP process What compelled Valerie to create her virtual parent training academy What happens to neurodiverse kids who don’t get the education they deserve The energetic spiritual connection Valerie feels with neurodiverse kids The challenge Valerie faces in wanting to help every mom that calls her Valerie’s advice for parents who are struggling with the special ed system Connect with Valerie Aprahamian Ultimate IEP Quiz Advocates for Angels Resources Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Connect with Emerald GreenForest Emerald’s Website Emerald on LinkedIn Emerald on Twitter Emerald on Instagram Email listeners@wickedlysmartwomen.com Apply to Wealthy Life by Design Leave Us A Message On Our listener line:   540-402-0043 x4343

<p>Every child has the potential to live a fulfilling life IF they get the education they deserve. But for the 7M students in the special ed system, access to that education is not a given. So, what can the parents of neurodiverse kids do to advocate for their children?</p> <p>Valerie Aprahamian is the special education advocate and coach behind <a href="https://advocates4angels.com/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Advocates for Angels</a>, an organization devoted to protecting the rights of parents of neurodiverse children in the development of their child’s Individual Education Program, or IEP. In the last 22 years, Valerie has attended 4K-plus IEP meetings and mastered the skills necessary to ensure that the students she represents leave high school with the skills necessary to lead a purposeful life. Valerie has also built a virtual parent training program that empowers parents to become effective advocates for their children and create powerful shifts in the special education system.</p> <p>On this episode of Wickedly Smart Women, Valerie joins Emerald to share the story of her daughter Chanel’s autism diagnosis, explaining why she advocated for her daughter to be placed in a general education class and how Chanel proved the experts wrong by graduating with honors. Valerie discusses why it’s crucial for parents to know their rights around the IEP process, describing how her virtual training academy helps moms and dads secure what their child needs to be successful. Listen in for Valerie’s advice to parents struggling with the special ed system and learn what YOU can do to help neurodiverse kids get the education they deserve!</p> What You Will Learn <p>How Valerie’s daughter’s autism diagnosis inspired her current work</p> <p>Why Valerie advocated for her daughter to be placed in a general education class</p> <p>How Valerie’s daughter proved the experts wrong by graduating with honors</p> <p>Why it’s crucial for parents to know their rights around the IEP process</p> <p>What compelled Valerie to create her virtual parent training academy</p> <p>What happens to neurodiverse kids who don’t get the education they deserve</p> <p>The energetic spiritual connection Valerie feels with neurodiverse kids</p> <p>The challenge Valerie faces in wanting to help every mom that calls her</p> <p>Valerie’s advice for parents who are struggling with the special ed system</p> Connect with Valerie Aprahamian <p><a href="https://ultimateiepquiz.com/0" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Ultimate IEP Quiz</a></p> <p><a href="https://advocates4angels.com/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Advocates for Angels</a></p> Resources <p><a href="https://sites.ed.gov/idea/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Individuals with Disabilities Education Act</a></p> Connect with Emerald GreenForest <p><a href="https://www.emeraldpgreenforest.com/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Emerald’s Website</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/emeraldgreenforest/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Emerald on LinkedIn</a></p> <p><a href="https://twitter.com/awyldfyre" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Emerald on Twitter</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/emeraldpgreenforest/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Emerald on Instagram</a></p> <p>Email <a href="mailto:listeners@wickedlysmartwomen.com" rel="noopener">listeners@wickedlysmartwomen.com</a></p> <p><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSceUJwJDUQdR1xMijZBy7XSUwEwtnh4gtkbgjTPrSB7HpJsSA/viewform" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Apply to Wealthy Life by Design</a></p> <p>Leave Us A Message On Our listener line:  </p> <p>540-402-0043 x4343</p>

Advocating for Your Neurodiverse Child—with Valerie Aprahamian - EP36

About Valerie Aprahamian Valerie Aprahamian, Founder of Advocates For Angels, is a Non-Attorney Advocate, Author, Teacher of Special Education Law, and Speaker. Valerie’s life work has been to assist parents of special needs children in the development of their child’s Individual Education Program (IEP)—to enable each child to reach the highest expression of themselves and fulfill their potential in living a meaningful life.  As a mother of a special needs child, Valerie has been called to work with families, not only in education but also in awakening to the gifts these special angels can bring into their lives.  In Valerie’s experience as a non-attorney advocate for more than twenty years, she has represented hundreds of families with special needs children, attending more than two thousand IEP meetings. She holds a credential from William and Mary Law School at the Institute of Special Education Advocacy.  Valerie resides in Southern California with her husband Michael and her adult daughter, Chanel, who has the diagnosis of autism and seizure disorder. She has 2 other adult children, Michael-John and Celeste. Valerie is a credentialed Yoga Alliance teacher, as yoga practice is a major component in maintaining balance in her life. She enjoys painting and drawing, gardening and reading, and is an avid beach lover. Check out Valerie’s book Advocating for your Special Needs Angel: A Mother and Special Education Advocate’s Practical Guide to Helping Children Find Their Wings on Amazon.com  Services  Obtaining school records Evaluating your child’s present school program Helping you to have a clear understanding of the problems you are currently experiencing and what to do to solve them Helping you to plan your IEP meetings and development of IEP parent agenda Attending IEP meetings with you to assist and advocate for you and your child Following up after the IEP meeting to make sure the plan is working which includes legal letters to document a time-line of events Writing measurable and obtainable goals and objectives Assist in developing appropriate modifications and accommodations Development of Medical Health Plan Assistance in determining appropriate educational placement Coordinating services between agencies, doctors, service providers and school district staff Act as liaison between parents and district administration File Compliance Complaints with State Board of Education  Listen to Valerie Aprahamian’s Podcast Interviewhttps://www.csnlg.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Valerie-Aprahamian-1.mp3  Contact  AddressCorona, California  Phone909.841.2600  WebsiteAdvocatesForAngels.com  Emailvasped@sbcglobal.net  Facebook Groupfacebook.com/AdvocatesForAngels  

<h3>About Valerie Aprahamian</h3> <p>Valerie Aprahamian, Founder of <a href="http://advocatesforangels.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Advocates For Angels</a>, is a Non-Attorney Advocate, Author, Teacher of Special Education Law, and Speaker. Valerie’s life work has been to assist parents of special needs children in the development of their child’s Individual Education Program (IEP)—to enable each child to reach the highest expression of themselves and fulfill their potential in living a meaningful life. </p> <p>As a mother of a special needs child, Valerie has been called to work with families, not only in education but also in awakening to the gifts these special angels can bring into their lives.<br/> <br/> In Valerie’s experience as a non-attorney advocate for more than twenty years, she has represented hundreds of families with special needs children, attending more than two thousand IEP meetings. She holds a credential from William and Mary Law School at the Institute of Special Education Advocacy.<br/> <br/> Valerie resides in Southern California with her husband Michael and her adult daughter, Chanel, who has the diagnosis of autism and seizure disorder. She has 2 other adult children, Michael-John and Celeste. Valerie is a credentialed Yoga Alliance teacher, as yoga practice is a major component in maintaining balance in her life. She enjoys painting and drawing, gardening and reading, and is an avid beach lover.</p> <p>Check out Valerie’s book <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Advocating-your-Special-Needs-Angel/dp/1530497973/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_3?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1535590446&amp;sr=8-3-fkmr1&amp;keywords=advocating+for+special+needs+angles" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Advocating for your Special Needs Angel: A Mother and Special Education Advocate’s Practical Guide to Helping Children Find Their Wings</a> on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Advocating-your-Special-Needs-Angel/dp/1530497973/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_3?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1535590446&amp;sr=8-3-fkmr1&amp;keywords=advocating+for+special+needs+angles" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Amazon.com</a></p> <p></p> <p></p><h3>Services</h3> <ul> <li>Obtaining school records</li> <li>Evaluating your child’s present school program</li> <li>Helping you to have a clear understanding of the problems you are currently experiencing and what to do to solve them</li> <li>Helping you to plan your IEP meetings and development of IEP parent agenda</li> <li>Attending IEP meetings with you to assist and advocate for you and your child</li> <li>Following up after the IEP meeting to make sure the plan is working which includes legal letters to document a time-line of events</li> <li>Writing measurable and obtainable goals and objectives</li> <li>Assist in developing appropriate modifications and accommodations</li> <li>Development of Medical Health Plan</li> <li>Assistance in determining appropriate educational placement</li> <li>Coordinating services between agencies, doctors, service providers and school district staff</li> <li>Act as liaison between parents and district administration</li> <li>File Compliance Complaints with State Board of Education</li> </ul> <h3>Listen to Valerie Aprahamian’s Podcast Interview</h3><a href="https://www.csnlg.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Valerie-Aprahamian-1.mp3" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.csnlg.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Valerie-Aprahamian-1.mp3</a> <p></p> <p></p><h3>Contact</h3> <ul> <li><h4>Address</h4><p>Corona, California</p> </li> <li><h4>Phone</h4><p>909.841.2600</p> </li> <li><h4><a href="http://www.AdvocatesForAngels.com " rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Website</a></h4><p><a href="http://www.advocatesforangels.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">AdvocatesForAngels.com</a></p> </li> <li><h4><a href="mailto:vasped@sbcglobal.net">Email</a></h4><p><a href="mailto:vasped@sbcglobal.net">vasped@sbcglobal.net</a></p> </li> <li><h4><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AdvocatesForAngels" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook Group</a></h4><p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AdvocatesForAngels" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">facebook.com/AdvocatesForAngels</a></p> </li> </ul>

Special Education Advocate Valerie Aprahamian