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Are you the parent of a child with special needs?

Are you stressed out by the choices you’re being asked to make about your child’s therapy, education, and future?

Does it feel as if most of your friends have no idea what your life is like these days?

If this sounds familiar, there is help. You don’t have to do this alone.

My name is Sarah Birnbaum, and I am a parent advocate and special education advisor. As the parent of a child with special needs, I have been navigating this world for many years, learning the ins and outs of services and educational options in New York. I have gained a wealth of knowledge about therapists, agencies, schools, governmental bodies, and best practices in working with any of them.

Whatever your stage of the journey — whether you have just called Early Intervention or are looking at high schools — I can offer you help, information, and support.

Will your child be turning 5 in 2026? This fall, hosted by the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, I am offering two free Turning 5 webinars on Tuesday, September 16 and Monday, September 29 to provide guidance on the kindergarten transition process to parents of children born in 2021. At each of these talks, I will be joined by special education attorney Greg Cangiano of Skyer Law and neuropsychologists Dr. David Salsberg and Dr. Laura Tagliareni from PALS. Get a jump on the process and lessen your kindergarten stress!

NEW: Is your school-aged child truly thriving? Do you have unfocused worries that teachers may not share, but your gut keeps talking to you? Join me for a new free webinar on Tuesday, October 21 and Wednesday, October 29, “That Feeling In Your Gut: Is This the Right School?” Along with attorney Greg Cangiano of Skyer Law and neuropsychologists Dr. Laura Tagliareni and Dr. David Salsberg of PALS, I will offer you the tools to understand your child’s needs, advocate for them effectively, and set them up for success. If your child is anywhere between 5-14 and you have that feeling in your gut, join us and learn what you can do.

If you would like to talk about your child’s needs and education — strengthening your Early Intervention services, the CPSE transition process, Turning 5 and moving on to kindergarten, or finding a better situation anywhere from preschool all the way up to high school — I welcome parents to set up an initial consultation call of up to 30 minutes at no charge. Please email me to schedule a conversation. I’d love to help you make better sense of everything.