Sheila Wolfe has worked as a professional autism advocate since 2004. She is also the founder of the Autism Education and Training Center, Inc. Through the AETC, she has developed a parent and advocate training and certification program to assist families with the training and education needed to navigate the complicated world of special education. She continues to consult throughout the state of Indiana helping families develop appropriate IEPs for their children with special needs who attend public school.
She is the mother of two teenage boys, one of whom is autistic and attends school in Carmel, Indiana with a full time aide.
     Mrs. Wolfe has extensive training in many areas relevant to special education including behavior management and programming (ABA, Verbal Behavior, Lovaas, FBAs, BIPs, positive behavior supports), assessments, goal development, sensory integration, language development, Article 7, due process and mediation. She also has experience and training regarding specific disabilities including autism spectrum disorder, bi-polar disorder, physical disabilities, specific learning disabilities, traumatic brain injury, hearing loss, ADD/ADHD and others.

     Thank you for your interest in finding out more about  getting appropriate services for your child with special needs in your public school. Let me tell you a little bit about myself. I have a fourteen year old son, Cory, who is autistic, and a seventeen year old son, Connor. Both of my children attend public school in Carmel, IN. Cory has a full-time, one-on-one aide who teaches him directly throughout the day.
      I am personally experienced with heated battles with my school system and how to navigate through mediation, and a Due Process Hearing. I am also experienced with litigation/accusations directed at parents from the school system for attendance violations (personal experience) and issues with Child Protective Services (through clients). As you can see, for the most part I have “been there-done that”!   
     As a Parent Advocate, I will assist your family as we negotiate an appropriate educational program (IEP) for your child with special needs in the public school system. I will also provide you with valuable information to increase your personal knowledge of “special needs” (autism, Bi Polar, depression, ADHD etc), how to appropriately teach children with special needs, the fundamentals of appropriate behavior intervention, various types of therapy, and especially…what your rights are regarding educating your child in the public schools.
I currently charge $75 per hour for this service. It is my goal that you find my fees to be a bargain when we have completed our work together.

  Training, Education & Workshops: Ten years training on IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act- the national law) Training on Article 7, FERPA, HIPPA Due process system (including my own hearing) Funding for special education Writing appropriate IEP’S Attendance laws for Indiana Charter schools Nine years self study and training about autism Children with special needs, particularly the education of these children Two-day Boot Camp on Special Education Law given by Pete Wright, the author of “From Emotion to Advocacy” Extensive training in ABA and Verbal Behavior techniques for educating children with autism and other special needs Two, three-day workshops given by Vincent Carbone on Verbal Behavior Three-day behavior workshop from Carl Sundberg, PhD who works with families in the state to develop ABA/Verbal Behavior programs for children Completed additional training from IPIN on being a Parent Liaison which focuses on First Steps, Article 7, IEPs, medical issues, insurance etc. “No Child Left Behind” legislation “New” IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act). Changes to Article 7 in August 2008 Social Skill Development training through Jed Baker’s series and seminar Discrete Trial Trainer software Earobics software Social Skill intervention techniques with video modeling (and using iPods) Some of my knowledge is specific to the state of Indiana, but much of the information is “universal” in that it applies to all states and each child’s right to a free appropriate public education.
Hiring an advocate can be very helpful, but each parent needs this training to manage their child’s educational program. I am familiar with issues and therapies regarding sensory integration and have dealt with an auditory processing disorder with Cory. We have used “brushing” techniques, horse back riding, deep pressure, Samonas Sound Therapy, and sensory integration with Cory. Although we have not pursued many of the biomedical therapies, I am familiar with the therapies and have contacts for parents who want to learn more. We also use a vitamin regimen with Cory through Kirkman Labs and have had him tested for specific food allergies.
I will be working in cooperation with Catherine Michael and her Special Education Law Practice and would be happy to refer parents who require legal counsel to her capable hands.
Until that time, I look forward to working with your family to develop an appropriate IEP and home-based plan which will result in proper instruction, real progress and learning for your child.

Sincerely yours,

Sheila Wolfe

Please EMAIL me if you would like assistance.