About Indigo PSAG
Support For You On This Journey
My goal is to help you and your family feel supported, heard, and comfortable with the special education process. Being a parent of a child with a disability is hard and sometimes very lonely. With extensive experience working in public education on a child study team, and as a parent of children with special education needs, my individualized & compassionately positive approach will help you feel safe, confident, and empowered as you create goals & take action for your child to make academic and personal progress.
Why Me?
Education
- Master's Degree in Special Education (WPU)
- Master's Degree in Educational Leadership (MSU)
- Bachelor's Degree - Elementary Education (Bloomsburg University of PA)
Certifications
- Provisional Principal Cert (NJ)
- Standard Supervisor Cert (NJ)
- Learning Disabilities Teacher-Consultant
- Elementary Education Teacher
- Leadership Certification in Social Emotional Learning (Rutgers University)
- Social Emotional Learning Facilitator (Breathe for Change)
- 200-HR Registered Yoga Teacher
Professional Experience
- A 15-year veteran as a Child Study Team case manager & Learning Disabilities Teacher-Consultant
- 20 years of public education experience in Arizona, Pennsylvania & New Jersey
- Former basic skills reading instructor at the middle school level
- Headed district-level Nj State required Dyslexia professional development for staff
- Social Emotional Learning Teacher/District Coordinator
- Adult Social Emotional Learning Facilitator
My Why
I am the mom of two teenage boys, both with special needs. My boys were both preemies and I knew there was a high risk of them requiring intervention and related services, and they did. Both received Early Intervention Services, and have IEPs. Their diagnosed disabilities include Autism Spectrum Disorder - High Functioning, ADHD, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and Specific Learning Disability.
Parenting is hard enough, parenting a neurodiverse child or children is even harder. My husband and I have been phenomenal partners in raising our children, but it hasn't been easy. I have been the yin and he has been the yang on our parenting journey of our kids' diverse learning needs. I wanted to nurture, cure, and save them, while my husband wanted them to be independent, capable, and able to contribute to our community one day. We didn't always agree on the steps in the process, but we did agree on the outcomes we hoped for our children.
My experience has brought me here, as an intuitive, empowering support and advocate for families in this special needs world. As an educator who is well aware of child development, pedagogy, and providing instruction to a diverse class of students, I struggled tremendously to get what my children needed & for teachers and school administrators to understand. I cannot imagine what this process feels like for families who are not versed in the terminology, laws, parental rights, and how to get what is needed for their child to be successful.
I have been contacted by family and friends for years to assist them with their newly diagnosed or classified children and it makes me feel good to be able to help and provide a space where they can be heard. It allows me to help others in an area where I feel confident and comfortable offering my knowledge and experience.
Now that you know a little more of my why, I invite you to reach out so we can discuss how my expertise meets your needs and if we are a good fit.
Client Feedback
Testimonials
Document Review & Parent Support
Document Review & Parent Support
Document Review & Parent Support
Lori Henry has been a tremendous help to me and my daughter. She helped to walk me through my daughter's IEP and for the first time, I was able to not just read it but understand it. She helped me articulate the changes I knew needed to be made and it has made a huge difference in my daughter's progress this year. Lori not only has a vast knowledge of the Special Education system, but she knows and understands what it is to be a parent of a child with special needs. She knows the process can be overwhelming. Her patience and empathy allowed me to be open and honest with her about not only my daughter's challenges but my own struggles in trying to be the best parent I can be. With Lori's guidance and support, I was able to feel confident in what I was asking the school for. I had a productive and very positive IEP meeting. It was honestly the first one I didn't cry at! I can't thank Lori enough for her help and support.
~Lori G.
Family Support & Advocacy
Document Review & Parent Support
Document Review & Parent Support
Lori has been an invaluable resource for me and my two boys over the last 8 years. She has a vast knowledge of the rights of special education parents and understands how to use them to get the best outcomes for students.
She is an expert at navigating the special education process, possessing tremendous insight into the inner workings of the school system and how to create and implement meaningful, effective IEPs.
Being a special education mom enables her to relate to other parents on this journey and the struggles we face. Lori has given me tools, strategies, and the confidence to powerfully advocate for my boys. Working with her was instrumental in getting them the services they needed and deserved. We have all truly benefited from her guidance and vision for how to best set them up for success.
~ Joanna A.
504 Plan Review
Character Reference
Character Reference
Last year, my husband and I had some concerns that our son’s 504 Plan wasn’t being properly adhered to by one of his teachers. After reaching out to Lori for advice on how to deal with the situation, she was able to walk me through his 504 and point out all the ways that it is improperly or vaguely written, and suggested specific wording that we should be looking to see in future plans. Her assistance allowed me to address the situation with the teacher as well as the person responsible for writing the 504. Our main concern was addressed and fixed and we gained a much better understanding of our son’s rights.
Lori was thorough and knowledgeable in her guidance and I recommend her services to anyone struggling to navigate the world of Special Ed or 504s.
~ Mary M.
Character Reference
Character Reference
Character Reference
I see you. You are truly amazing. You are a great human as well as a mother. It is not just what people say to your face that matters most - but what they say when you don't even realize they are looking. You truly are strength and peace personified. Congratulations on surviving 100% of your hardest days. This adulting sh*t truly is not easy. I don't come on FB much . . . I just so happened to see your post and the link to your blog. I knew it would be of substance and you did not disappoint. What a gift you give to others by letting people know that they are not alone in this "filtered" world. I am sending you vibes of strength and positivity. XO
~ Shonya B.
TESTIMONIALS
Family Support & Advocacy
Lori was/is a tremendous live resource to have on your side. My wife and I felt like someone else was finally listening and willing to help. Her life experience, caring approach, and timely responses made a world of difference in dealing with a difficult school district. We are very thankful and will recommend Lori to anyone who needs help with their child's IEP and advocacy support.
~ Louis C.
The INDIGO Blog
Affiliations
INDIGO Parent Support and Advocacy Group
Rutherford, New Jersey, United States
Copyright © 2022 INDIGO PSAG
All Rights Reserved.
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