Parent Advocacy

                                                         MPFAT Family Resource Page

At MPFAT, we know families often need support in more than one area at the same time. You may be looking for help with IEPs, Section 504 plans, homeschool support, autism-friendly learning tools, Maryland services, therapy options, sibling support, or future planning. This page brings together trusted resources that can help you better understand your options, ask stronger questions, and feel more supported as you move forward. For legal timelines, complaint procedures, and official student-rights questions, it is always best to confirm details directly with the agency or organization involved.

                     Start Here: IEP, 504, and school advocacy support

Understood

Understood is a strong starting place for parents who want clear, parent-friendly explanations of IEPs, 504 plans, school meetings, and accommodations. Its IEP content is especially helpful for families who are new to the process and want practical, easy-to-follow guidance. (Understood)

A Day in Our Shoes

A Day in Our Shoes offers practical support for families preparing for school meetings, thinking through autism-related school needs, and brainstorming accommodations, services, and advocacy language. (A Day in our Shoes)

Wrightslaw

Wrightslaw is a trusted resource for special education law and advocacy. Families often use it to learn more about IEPs, dispute resolution, documentation, and parent rights. (Wrightslaw)

Victory Over Education

Victory Over Education offers coaching, consulting, training, and practical tools for parents navigating special education. Its site specifically describes support for parents through the IEP process. (Victory Over Education)

Personalized Learning Solutions

Personalized Learning Solutions provides special education advocacy and consultation to help parents secure appropriate educational services. Its site also notes support with IEPs and Section 504 plans. (Personalized Learning Solutions, LLC)

Joy F. Johnson / Spectrum Support

Joy F. Johnson is an autistic advocate, BCBA, clinical director, adjunct professor, and founder of Spectrum Support. Spectrum Support is a meaningful resource for families seeking neurodiversity-affirming autism support. (Spectrum Support)

Facilitated IEP Team Meetings in Maryland

Maryland offers a voluntary facilitated IEP process that can help when communication is strained or a meeting may be difficult. State materials explain that either the parent or the school may request facilitation, both sides must agree, and the facilitator remains neutral while the IEP team makes decisions. (Maryland Public Schools)

                             Official parent-rights and legal information

IDEA: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

IDEA is the federal special education law that makes a free appropriate public education available to eligible children with disabilities and also supports early intervention services for infants and toddlers and their families. (EDBlogs)

Section 504: U.S. Department of Education

Section 504 helps ensure that students with disabilities have equal access to educational opportunities and protects against disability discrimination in programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Education. (U.S. Department of Education)

OCR Disability Discrimination Complaint Information

If a family believes disability discrimination has occurred in a school or other educational setting, the Office for Civil Rights provides the official complaint process. OCR states that complaints generally must be filed within 180 days. (U.S. Department of Education)

FERPA: Student Privacy Rights

FERPA is the federal law that gives parents rights related to education records, including access to records, the right to seek amendment, and some control over disclosure of personally identifiable information. (Protecting Student Privacy)

                                Maryland statewide support for families

Parents’ Place of Maryland

Parents’ Place of Maryland provides information and support for families of children and youth with disabilities or special needs from birth through age 26. Its site states that services are provided at no cost to families. (Parents' Place of Maryland)

Parents’ Place of Maryland LEADers Program

The LEADers program helps develop leadership skills among parents of children with disabilities and special health care needs through workshops, webinars, mentoring, coaching, and other learning opportunities. (Parents' Place of Maryland)

Maryland Division of Special Education

The Maryland State Department of Education’s Division of Special Education is an important official source for Maryland special education information, family supports, and statewide updates. (Maryland Public Schools)

Maryland Elevates

Maryland Elevates is the Division of Special Education’s online resource hub for families, providers, and leaders. It brings together family resources related to early childhood, specially designed instruction, and transition support. (Maryland Public Schools)

Maryland Infants and Toddlers Program

The Maryland Infants and Toddlers Program is a family-centered early intervention system for young children with developmental delays or disabilities and their families. (Maryland Public Schools)

Disability Rights Maryland

Disability Rights Maryland offers special education rights information and resources for Maryland families. Its site includes special education materials and publications that can help families understand rights and next steps. (Disability Rights Maryland)

Maryland Coalition of Families

Maryland Coalition of Families provides family peer support, resource connection, and systems navigation through staff with lived experience. (Maryland Coalition of Families)

Pathfinders for Autism

Pathfinders for Autism is a major Maryland autism organization that educates and trains the community and offers resources, a help line, and service navigation support for families across the lifespan. (Pathfinders for Autism)

Kennedy Krieger Institute: CASSI

Kennedy Krieger’s Center for Autism Services, Science and Innovation, or CASSI, is an interdisciplinary autism program serving children, families, and professionals through clinical services, research, and training. (Kennedy Krieger Institute)

                                  Maryland and local community resources

Autism Society of Baltimore-Chesapeake

The Autism Society of Baltimore-Chesapeake is a volunteer organization founded in 1976 that provides information, advocacy, and support for families and individuals in the greater Baltimore area. (Autism Society of Baltimore)

Autism Society of Maryland: Howard County Resources

The Howard County resource page from the Autism Society of Maryland gathers county-specific links and information that can help families living with autism in that area. (Autism Society of Maryland)

The Arc Maryland

The Arc Maryland is a statewide nonprofit focused on the rights and quality of life of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. Its site includes programs, advocacy, and a broad disability resource directory. (The Arc Maryland)

Capital Speech and Language Therapy Center

Capital Speechand Language Therapy Center is a Suburban Maryland practice serving children ages 3 to 17 in areas including articulation, language, communication, fluency, pragmatic language, evaluations, screenings, and parent guidance. (csltc)

RISE Arts Center of Baltimore

RISE Arts Center of Baltimore provides multidisciplinary arts education for youth in underserved communities and neurodivergent youth and young adults, with programs in areas such as performing arts, visual arts, and creative writing. (Riseartscenter)

We Rock the Spectrum Baltimore

We Rock the Spectrum Baltimore is an inclusive kids’ gym designed for children of all ability levels and built around sensory-friendly play and movement. (We Rock the Spectrum Baltimore)

                Culturally responsive and community-centered support

Autism in Black

Autism in Black supports Black parents of children on the spectrum through educational and advocacy services and works to reduce stigma around autism in the Black community. (Autism in Black Inc)

The Autism in Black Podcast

The Autism in Black Podcast focuses on autism and the Black parent experience, with a goal of educating, supporting, and empowering Black parents. (Autism in Black Inc)

The Color of Autism Foundation

The Color of Autism Foundation focuses on ending stigma around autism in communities of color and connecting families to culturally competent, trauma-informed support. (Color of Autism Foundation)

Brown on the Spectrum

Brown on the Spectrum describes itself as a community resource space that has been providing information and resources since 2015. (Google Sites)

                                  Homeschool and learning support

SPED Homeschool

SPED Homeschool was founded to empower families who homeschool children with diverse learning needs. The site offers resources, community, events, and support strategies for special-needs homeschooling. (SPED Homeschool)

Homeschooling for Autism and Beyond

Homeschooling for Autism and Beyond describes itself as a trusted space for guidance, strategies, and community support for families homeschooling children with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other learning differences. (Homeschooling for Autism and Beyond)

Calm Days for Curious Minds

Calm Days for Curious Minds is a practical, regulation-first blog for parents homeschooling autistic children. Its content focuses on calmer days, support that honors neurodiversity, and behavior-as-communication insights. (Calm Days for Curious Minds)

The Autism Classroom

The Autism Classroom provides autism education resources, social skills materials, teaching tools, and courses designed to help educators build effective autism classrooms. (Autism Classroom)

Autism Classroom Resources

Autism Classroom Resources offers evidence-based practices, tips, tools, podcasts, and home-practice materials for special education classrooms and families. (Autism Classroom Resources)

Special Ed Resource

Special Ed Resource offers special-needs tutoring and parent-focused support for learning disabilities. Its site centers customized tutoring and supplemental learning support. (Special Ed Resource)

ASD Reading

ASD Reading is an online reading program for children with autism spectrum disorder and other learning disabilities. Its site says the program teaches reading, writing, and comprehension and provides progress reporting. (ASD Reading)

Family wellness, sibling support, and emotional support

McGhee & Associates

McGhee & Associates provides mental health services for children and adults, along with assessment and consultation in areas including learning disorders, executive functioning, autism spectrum, and parent guidance. (McGhee & Associates)

Special Needs Siblings

Special Needs Siblings is a nonprofit focused on educating, empowering, and encouraging siblings of disabled individuals by providing resources and supportive programs. (Siblings of Special Needs)

                                     Future planning and legal support

Spectrum Law Florida

Spectrum Law Florida is a boutique Florida law firm focused on estate planning, probate, and guardianship. It may be helpful for families thinking ahead about long-term legal planning and guardianship questions in Florida. (Spectrum Law Florida)

A gentle note from MPFAT

MPFAT shares these resources for informational and support purposes. Outside organizations may update their services, staff, programs, hours, locations, pricing, and policies over time. Before making legal, medical, educational, or financial decisions, please confirm current details directly with the official agency, provider, or organization.