Are you a parent or caregiver in need of resources for your child? Are you interested in learning more about schools, therapists, providers, agencies, and nonprofit organizations that support your child with special education needs? As you consider what support your child needs, Special Education Legal Fund has gathered a list of community resources to support you and your family on your journey. Scroll for a list of schools, professionals, and providers in the Connecticut and New York area and explore what each organization offers to students, parents, families, and caregivers.
Find out more about each organization by clicking the logos below.
Wealthspire Advisors is an independent registered investment adviser and subsidiary of NFP Corp, currently overseeing approximately $29.3 billion in Assets Under Management* and firmly committed to serving clients in a fiduciary capacity. Though our size means we have a variety of clients, we work most extensively with high net worth and ultra-high net worth individuals and families. We lead with planning that is tailored to meet the goals and needs of our clients, we invest with a long-term approach that focuses on a disciplined strategy and avoids emotional decision-making, and we aim to simplify lives by coordinating seamlessly with outside advisors and building our client teams around a collaborative structure.
* Reflects combined data as of 12/31/2024 for Wealthspire Advisors LLC and its subsidiaries.
Founded in 1975, Eagle Hill School transforms the lives of students in grades 1 through 8 with language-based learning differences. Located on 17 acres in the heart of Greenwich, Connecticut, the school offers an individualized, whole-child approach supported by a dedicated and passionate faculty. At Eagle Hill, students grow into confident, joyful learners. For added flexibility, a five-day junior boarding program extends this unique learning experience beyond the classroom.
Winston Preparatory School offers individualized programming for students ages 8-21+ with learning differences, such as NVLD, ADHD, and dyslexia. Unlike any other school, Winston Prep groups students based on their learning difficulty, skill level, and academic and social-emotional needs, leading to extraordinary transformations in each student’s life and learning. Our campus locations include CT, NYC, NJ, Long Island, and CA. We also offer flexible online programming to students across the country.
Founded in 1817 as the first permanent school for the deaf in the United States, the American School for the Deaf is no stranger to pioneering new and innovative solutions to help Deaf and Hard of Hearing students succeed both in school and in life. As the only school in Connecticut exclusively devoted to the education of Deaf and Hard of Hearing children, ASD maintains a lengthy tradition of national and international leadership in Deaf Education. ASD develops the whole child—intellectually, emotionally, physically, and socially—in a comprehensive learning community that welcomes all Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and hearing children with unique communication needs. At ASD, students and their families are surrounded by inspiring peers, guided by dedicated and committed staff, and supported by robust technology. We foster a language-rich communication environment that maximizes children’s potential, empowering them to become educated and self-directed lifelong learners.
Founded in 1972, Chapel Haven Schleifer Center (CHSC) has been changing lives for adults with disabilities for more than a half-century. This award-winning non-profit based in the Westville section of New Haven, Conn. teaches adults with developmental and social disabilities to live independent and productive lives through a nationally accredited transitional living program and approved private special education school. Chapel Haven serves more than 250 adults (18 years of age and older) in the residence and the community with two distinct programs; REACH and Asperger’s Syndrome Adult Transition (ASAT) programs. Among the profiles of adults served at CHSC are autism, intellectual disabilities, Down Syndrome and social communication disorders. Through an intensive, state-approved education curriculum, adults are guided through all aspects of independent living and prepared for a future in which they can live robust and independent adult lives.
At Fusion Academy, we reimagined everything about school. In Fusion’s 1 – to – 1 classrooms, your student receives their teacher’s total attention. We customize the curriculum and content to match their unique pace and preferences. Your student will learn better, dive deeper, and never get left behind. But, the biggest difference you’ll notice… is the way your child has changed.
The Pinnacle School serves students in grades 2-12 who have complex learning profiles including dyslexia, language-based learning disabilities, ADHD, and ASD. With small class sizes, a 4:1 student to teacher ratio, and a therapeutic approach, students receive in the moment support and tailored academics. The Pinnacle School provides a safe and nurturing educational environment and follows Ross Greene’s methodology of Collaborative Proactive Solutions. Through individualized academic programming, collaborative problem-solving, and relationship building, students develop the skills necessary to become caring and compassionate friends, active members of their community, and resilient, life-long learners.
The Spire School, located in Stamford, Connecticut, is a private therapeutic day school for students in grades 6–12. As a college-preparatory program, Spire offers robust academic courses designed to challenge and engage students, while also addressing their individual learning needs in small group classes. Students receive 1:1 and group support from dedicated life coaches who help guide students’ social and emotional growth, building skills in self-awareness, emotional regulation, resilience, and executive functioning. Our integrated approach supports those managing anxiety, depression, school avoidance, executive function challenges, and more. Spire is a Connecticut State-Approved Special Education Program (APSEP) and is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).
For 50 years, Villa Maria School has believed in the extraordinary capabilities of every student. Our small, thoughtfully designed classes ensure that each student receives the individualized attention they need to succeed. With a team of dedicated and skilled teachers, we create an inclusive and supportive environment where our students, who have diagnoses that include language-based learning disorders, auditory processing disorders, nonverbal learning disabilities, ASD, and ADHD, realize their potential by developing meaningful relationships through skill development.
The Windward School is a co-ed, independent day school located in New York City and White Plains, New York, for children in grades 1-9 with language-based learning disabilities like dyslexia. Windward’s mission is to remediate students’ dyslexia or other language-based learning disabilities and to return students to mainstream schools. Nationally recognized for its development of instructional programs designed specifically to help students achieve language proficiency, Windward’s academic curriculum is research-based and multisensory in nature and is designed to give students the skills they need to succeed in school and return with confidence to mainstream educational settings.
Every Mind Speech is a boutique speech therapy practice in Ridgefield, CT, specializing in supporting Gestalt Language Processors and those fortunate enough to know them. As a truly Neurodiversity-Affirming practice, we work hard to challenge the “therapy mill” culture and provide a different kind of support for neurodivergent minds. Our practice is trauma- and sensory-informed, tailored to children who are dyspraxic, minimally or unreliably speaking, communicate using echolalia, or experience selective mutism or social cognitive processing differences. We believe that authentic, trusting therapeutic relationships are deeply undervalued. Check out our sensory clinic in Ridgefield, where “all play is okay,” or ask about services at your child’s school or via telehealth (NY/CT).
Forte Law Group LLC is a child advocacy and special education law practice. We provide legal representation for families that have a child with a disability to advance their child’s special education rights. Our firm handles PPT meetings, mediation, and due process litigation. We also handle expulsion defense, MDR PPTs, and juvenile defense representation.
The Inclusive Pathways Project LLC empowers individuals with disabilities through personalized postsecondary transition planning. We specialize in transition assessments that guide young adults and their families toward meaningful goals in education, employment, and independent living. Our multidisciplinary team creates actionable, person-centered plans that promote success and community inclusion!
Not just an advocate! Learning Connections offers special education support services in the forms of advocacy, clinical evaluations, parent training, behavior intervention, assistance with the referral process, and representation at CSE and PPT meetings. Our goal is to help families navigate the intricacies of the special education system and provide support while collaborating with local school districts in the best interest of students. Meghan Daniele is a former chairperson with over 24 years of experience in both CT and NY.
Tara Fappiano provides advocacy for students/families with K-12 special education/disability concerns, conflict resolution coaching for families and students, mediation of special education/disability disputes, and advocacy for disability rights in educational and other areas. In the post-secondary education area, including college & beyond, Tara Fappiano counsels students and families on transition planning (including skill building and legal considerations), accommodations requests (academic and beyond), advocacy and dispute negotiation, academic appeals, and ongoing self-advocacy coaching support.
The Law Offices of Dana A. Jonson, LLC, exclusively represents the civil and legal rights of students with disabilities throughout the special education process. We provide advocacy and representation at PPTs, mediation, due process hearings, and in court when necessary. From early intervention through graduation—or age 22—we stand by families at every step.
Waypoint Financial is a fee-only financial advisory firm providing comprehensive planning services to individuals and families. Lukasz Thieme, CFA, CFP®, ChSNC® has a deep personal and professional understanding of the challenges families caring for individuals with special needs face. Waypoint is committed to providing clear, objective guidance tailored to each family’s unique situation. Our approach is grounded in education, empathy, and long-term partnership. As fiduciaries, we always act in our clients’ best interests—free from commissions or product sales.
Julie Swanson is a passionate special education advocate with more than 20 years of experience helping parents secure appropriate services for their children with disabilities. Her advocacy practice grew out of advocating for her son who has autism. Julie holds an undergraduate degree in journalism / broadcasting from the University of Bridgeport and a master’s degree in Educational Media from Fairfield University. She later went on to earn an additional bachelor’s degree as a disability specialist from Manchester Community College. Julie is the founding president of SEEK (Special Equity for Kids of Connecticut) and is currently an executive board member. She is also a long-standing member of COPAA (Council of Parent Attorneys & Advocates), where she also received SEAT (Special Education Advocacy) Training. Julie was also a long-standing member of the Connecticut Transition Task Force and has served on a variety of State appointed special education committees. Julie is also the co-author (with Attorney Jennifer Laviano) of two special education books – Your Special Education Rights: What Your School District Isn’t Telling You and The IEP Guide for All: What Parents and Teachers Need to Know about Individualized Education Programs.
Laviano & Gagne represent children and adolescents with disabilities whose families are in disagreement with their public school districts. Their representation of children with special needs encompasses the full spectrum of Civil Rights advocacy under the IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act), from attendance at IEP Team meetings and Mediation, to zealous and experienced litigation in Due Process Hearings and Federal Court.
For the past 22 years, Diane Willcutts has served as an advocate for children with disabilities throughout Connecticut and Massachusetts. Using clear communication, courtesy, and strategic thinking, Diane helps families to effectively navigate the special education and 504 processes. She is a past president of the Learning Disabilities Association of Connecticut, former board member of the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA), and past instructor for COPAA’s renowned Special Education Advocate Training (SEAT 2.0 and 3.0). Diane has special expertise in literacy and is passionate about ensuring all students learn to read well, regardless of disability type.
Franklin Academy is a premier all-gender boarding and day school for neurodivergent students in grades 8–12, offering a distinctive strength-based approach to academics, social-emotional learning, and life skills in a warm, inclusive community. With signature programs in World Travel-Study, Animal Science, and Performing Arts, students gain real-world experience while building executive functioning, independence, and self-advocacy through integrated academic and residential life. Located in the scenic Connecticut River Valley, Franklin also offers a postgraduate program, summer opportunities, and comprehensive diagnostic services through its Evaluation Center.
Dr. Smaller is a clinical psychologist in private practice in Madison, CT. Dr. Smaller’s services include comprehensive psychological evaluations, school consultation, and therapy with children, adolescents and young adults. Dr. Smaller specializes in working with children on the autism spectrum and is a member of the clinical faculty of the Yale Child Study Center.
Kris Burbank is a seasoned parent, disability advocate, author, and certified one-on-one coach. Based on her life experiences and training, she partners with parents to build resilience, plan for the future, and optimize strengths. Through this personalized coaching, clients develop richer, more rewarding personal and professional lives, regardless of their caregiving challenges. Contact Kris through her website for a free 30-minute consultation to see if she can support you and your family.
The mission of Special Education Equity for Kids in Connecticut (SEEK) is to secure an excellent education as a basic civil and human right for students with disabilities in Connecticut. SEEK exists to protect that right through systemic advocacy. There are a number of groups in the state of Connecticut that lobby on behalf of children who have disabilities, but none represent parents of children who have disabilities. That’s why we created SEEK. Special Education Equity for Kids of Connecticut plays an essential role in influencing policies and legislative efforts on behalf of students with disabilities. SEEK will also offer parents advocacy tools essential for securing appropriate special education services.
Swim Angelfish provides Aquatic Therapy and Adaptive Swim lessons for children with Autism, Anxiety, Sensory, Motor and Developmental challenges. Our goal is to Transform abilities through our specialized services and resources for our swimmers, their families and all aquatic professionals.
From initiating special education referrals to advocating at school planning and placement meetings—and, when necessary, representing families at Mediation, Resolution Sessions, or Due Process proceedings—the team at Keller Law brings extensive experience in helping parents navigate both expected and unforeseen challenges. We work to implement effective strategies that support each child’s educational progress. Our attorneys also have significant experience representing both general and special education students in expulsion hearings, residency disputes, and transportation-related issues.
Being a parent of a special needs child is challenging enough, without throwing in the confusing process and jargon of PPT meetings. Virginia understands this not only from the parent perspective, having navigated this for her own daughter, but also as a special education advocate who strives to educate parents and lead them through PPT meetings to successfully advocate for their child’s needs.
Feinstein Education Law Group focuses on ensuring students with disabilities receive excellent educational services. Both Andrew Feinstein and Jillian Griswold have many years of experience and excellent reputations for advocacy in the field of special education.
The mission of the Connecticut Parent Advocacy Center is to educate, support, and empower Connecticut’s families of children and youth with any disability or chronic conditions, ages birth to 26, and the professionals who serve them. CPAC is a nonprofit organization that provides information, training, individual assistance, and resources on navigating special education and related topics.
Attorney David Heuvelman provides legal advocacy for children in need in the areas of special education, school suspension and expulsion, child welfare law, and family mediation. Having navigated the system as a parent advocating for his own child, Attorney Heuvelman was led to the practice of special education law and enjoys collaborating with families to identify solutions that serve the specific needs of students and families.
Our goal at Individualized Education Advocacy, LLC is to help parents advocate more effectively as they work to secure an educational program that facilitates their child’s meaningful progress. We help parents better understand and navigate the special education process. We show parents how they can clearly communicate their child’s individual strengths; challenges and learning needs; concerns; and requests related to their child’s educational program. We also support parents in developing a constructive and professional relationship with the school team for the benefit of their child. Experience areas include learning differences related to reading and spelling/dyslexia, attention/hyperactivity (ADD/ADHD), writing, executive functioning, processing speed, math, social skills and others.
OLIDA Learning provides engaging online courses to support educational and life skills learning for teens and young adults with disabilities. Our course titled “Your Guide to Self-Advocacy” is a self-paced, student-centered online course with voice-over and closed captions. We view our courses as an online textbook to digitally engage the student to take ownership of their learning and actively participate in their transition to a life beyond secondary school.
Attorney Lawrence Berliner is a dedicated special education law attorney with over 40 years of experience who passionately advocates for his clients – exclusively practicing throughout Connecticut. He helps parents pursue their child’s special education rights by providing legal representation, advocacy, and support in K-12 schools (IEP, PPT Meetings and Section 504 Meetings, mediation and due process hearings). His services also include Birth to Three programs, college and graduate disability accommodations, and postsecondary transition programs. He assists applicants who have been denied eligibility and services from the Connecticut Department of Developmental Services (DDS) by filing an appeal and requesting a formal administrative hearing and other remedies.
The Hangout Spot is a premier social skills development center dedicated to empowering children through evidence-based, play-based programming. Our ABA-informed services are designed and overseen by certified professionals who specialize in helping learners build meaningful peer connections and emotional resilience. We offer group classes, one-to-one support, and school consultation services tailored to each child’s unique needs. Families trust us for our warm, collaborative approach and our deep commitment to long-term growth and their vision of success. At The Hangout Spot, every child is seen, supported, and celebrated.
Levy Educational Advocacy (LEA) is the leading educational collective in the Northeast—trusted by families and professionals alike to navigate the complexities of special education for students ages 3 to 22, both neurodiverse and neurotypical. From tailored educational advocacy, school placements, and student observations to bullying accountability, due process advocacy, home-school liaison, and executive functioning coaching, LEA delivers the full spectrum of services families need to succeed. Founded by Christine Levy, M.Ed., a nationally recognized advocate whose dedication has inspired countless families, LEA stands apart. To further professional development opportunities in advocacy, Christine created the Levy Educational Advocacy Toolkit and the Advocacy Academy, where she mentors a powerhouse team of highly skilled advocates—teachers, administrators, specialists—committed to empowering families across the region. Whether through hands-on advocacy or dynamic professional development, LEA is your go-to partner for creating inclusive, collaborative learning environments where every student can thrive. When you want the best in the Northeast, you want LEA.
