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.
Education
Certifications
Professional Experience
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.
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.
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.
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.
Check out the September 2022 Edition of 'This Is Rutherford' interview with Lori Henry to promote the Free Special Education Workshops at the Rutherford Public Library
The INDIGO Blog provides a platform for our voice to be heard regarding special education issues, the struggles of being a parent of a child with special needs, and strategies for much-needed self-care & well-being for caretakers & family members.
INDIGO Parent Support and Advocacy Group
Rutherford, New Jersey, United States
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All Rights Reserved.
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