SPED CONSULTING
Shilpi Patel, Ed.S
Consultant, Coach, Advocate, Collaborator
With over 25 years of experience in special education in Northern Virginia, I have dedicated my career to ensuring that children with disabilities receive the services, instruction, and support they need to thrive. My work has always centered on equity, accessibility, and high-quality educational practices that prioritize the individual needs of each student.
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Today, as a Special Education Consultant and Advocate, I work directly with families to help them navigate the IEP process, understand their rights, and collaborate effectively with schools. I am well-versed in a range of assessments and evidence-based interventions, and my strong knowledge of IEP development and special education regulations allows me to advocate for personalized, data-informed services that lead to meaningful progress.
In addition, I serve as a University Supervisor at George Mason University, mentoring future special education teachers and coaching them to implement IEPs with fidelity and effectiveness.
Whether you're new to special education or seeking stronger outcomes for your child, I’m here to support, guide, and advocate for you every step of the way.
About Me
What Does a Special Education Consultant Do—And Why Might You Need One?
A Special Education Consultant is more than just someone with a background in teaching. These professionals often bring advanced training, deep knowledge of special education law, and expertise in diagnostics, assessments, and evidence-based practices that can make a real difference in your child’s educational journey.
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As your partner and advocate, a Special Education Consultant can:
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Interpret and evaluate assessment data to uncover your child’s strengths, challenges, and specific learning needs.
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Identify gaps in instruction, intervention, or behavior supports, and help ensure your child receives what they truly need to grow.
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Work collaboratively with you and the school team to develop or refine a customized education plan tailored to your child’s needs.
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Help you navigate the complex maze of special education laws and procedures, both at the federal and state level.
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Provide a clear, compassionate, and objective perspective to support your child’s progress.
Most importantly, a consultant brings clarity, confidence, and a powerful voice at the table—helping you ask the right questions, make informed decisions, and ensure your child’s needs are not only recognized, but met.
A Special Education Consultant is your guide, your sounding board, and your strongest advocate—someone who walks beside you every step of the way.
Why hire an educational consultant?
Supporting your child
Is your child struggling academically, behaviorally, socially, or emotionally in
school and do you need help in understanding why?
Working with your school
Do you want to ensure that the school is providing the supports your child needs
in order to be successful?
Placement and Services
Are you wondering about placement and service options that are available to
your child?
Individualized Education Plan
Would you like assistance in understanding the results of your child’s evaluations and how they can be used in developing your childs IEP?
SPED Consulting can help to answer these questions and more.
You can be assured of an understanding, professional and a confidential ear.
What People have to say.
Services
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Assisting parents in better understanding their child’s unique educational, social and emotional needs and in navigating the special education process
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Attending school meetings when requested by the parents
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Conducting observations and school visits as requested by the parents
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Facilitating communications between the parents and the student’s school-based team, or service providers involved with the student as requested by the parents
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Assuring that the educational plans and interventions are specific, measurable, evidence-based, implemented with fidelity and utilize appropriate progress monitoring tools.
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Helping parents understand the multi-tiered system of supports available in schools to assist students who may be struggling academically, socially, or emotionally
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Supporting collaboration with your child’s school-based team, and other school-based staff to develop and implement accommodations, interventions, or special education services
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Reviewing and analyzing records, psycho-educational evaluations, progress monitoring data, and Individualized Education Plans (IEP), to make recommendations for additional support services or revisions to the IEP to ensure your child is making progress
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Collaborating with school staff and parents on the development of Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA), or Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) when needed
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Utilizing data from a variety of available sources to facilitate a data inquiry dialogue that frames a shared understanding of problems and solutions
Core Values
I believe that true student success happens when schools, families, and professionals work in partnership—collaborating in unison to provide equitable supports tailored to each learner’s unique needs. As a Special Education Consultant, I work on behalf of families to help bridge the gap between a student’s needs and the school’s services, ensuring no child falls through the cracks.
My approach is solution-focused, inclusive, and empowering. I strive to create a space where families feel heard, informed, supported, and confident—especially those from diverse backgrounds whose voices are too often overlooked in the special education process.
With decades of experience as both an educator and advocate, I bring clarity, compassion, and strategic guidance to every step of your journey. My goal is to build strong, trusting relationships with all stakeholders—because meaningful change happens through collaboration, not confrontation.
As Stephen Covey wisely said:
“Seek first to understand, then to be understood.”
That is the foundation of how I support families and partner with schools.
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Experience
Coordinated general and technical assistance supports to special education staff and administrators to support program development and compliance with regulations
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Oversaw and served as a resource to site district administrators, special education department staff, general education staff, and parents for program decisions and assisted with development and implementation of appropriate Individual Education Programs (IEP)
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Problem-solved by collaborating with all stakeholders to work constructively to address concerns related to programs and services resulting in better student outcomes
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Education
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Ed.S., Administration and Supervision, May 2003, University of Virginia
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M.Ed., Special Education, January 1993, George Mason University
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B.A., Mathematics and Statistics, May 1988, Rutgers University
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Liceneses/Endorsements
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Administration and Supervision, preK-12
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Specific Learning Disabilities, K-12
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Emotional Disturbance, K-12
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Honors
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Kappa Delta Pi
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Arc-Educational Leadership Award
Relevant training​
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Adaptive Schools
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Cognitive Coaching
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Real Talk: Engaging in Difficult Conversations
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Fierce Conversations
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Facilitating Better IEPs: A Win-Win Situation​
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Negotiating IEPs; Writing Better IEPs: How to Develop Legally Correct and Educationally Useful Programs
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