Aspiring Minds serves the educational advancement of children with autism and other learning disabilities. Staff members are parents of children with special needs who have spent years advocating and lobbying for the right of their children to a free and appropriate education, while pursuing graduate degree in learning disabilities related fields. Today they form a multidisciplinary team of professionals experienced in working collaboratively with school districts and knowledgeable about effective educational programs and instructional support needed for a child to be successful in the classroom. “Parents of children with autism are fighting 2 battles,” explains Marie-France Akinrolabu, Ms.Ed, co-founder: “(1) their child’s disability, and (2) the educational system. We step in and help these parents put the pieces of the educational puzzle together." Services include: reviewing reports, evaluations and assessments to determine appropriate placement and educational supports needed in the classroom, obtaining independent evaluations at the expense of the school district, preparing parents for I.E.P. meetings, attending I.E.P., coaching parents on how to work collaboratively with their district, FBA’s (Functional Behavior Assessment) if/when necessary, etc. Private home tutoring in Orton-Gillingham reading methodology also available. Please contact aspiringminds@msn.com.