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.
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 and outcomes.
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
Why Families Choose SPED Consulting
Comprehensive Understanding
I look beyond the current IEP.
I review evaluations, prior IEPs, progress data, services, accommodations, behavior, and related supports to understand the full educational picture.
Strategic Educational Planning
I identify gaps and help bridge them.
I identify gaps in goals, supports, services, and progress monitoring, then translate assessment findings and school data into clear instructional and programming recommendations.
Clear and Purposeful Advocacy
I translate data for purposeful advocacy and to empower families.
I help families understand what assessments and school data mean for instruction, programming, and next steps. I prepare families to advocate with clarity and purpose. My approach is collaborative, legally informed, and solution-focused, with the student’s needs at the center.
What Does a Special Education Consultant Do—And Why Might You Need One?
Special Education Consultants vary in their professional backgrounds, training, and scope of experience. My consulting is informed by advanced professional preparation, extensive experience across special education roles and settings, and a broad knowledge base that includes assessment, evidence-based interventions, instructional programming, behavior supports, IEP development, and special education processes.
That breadth and depth of experience allows me to bring a thoughtful, objective, and strategic perspective to complex educational concerns.
You may benefit from a Special Education Consultant when you need:
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Clarity about evaluations, IEPs, progress, services, or placement options
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An experienced, objective perspective when concerns feel unclear or unresolved
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Support making informed decisions about your child’s educational needs and next steps
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Strategic preparation for school meetings and important discussions
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A knowledgeable partner who helps you advocate with confidence and purpose
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Most importantly, I help bring clarity, confidence, and a stronger voice at the table, so you can ask the right questions, make informed decisions, and help ensure your child’s needs are not only recognized, but meaningfully addressed.
I serve as your guide, sounding board, consultant, and advocate—walking beside you as you navigate important decisions about your child’s education.
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.
How I Support Families
Comprehensive, data-informed consultation to understand your child’s needs, strengthen educational programming, and advocate with clarity and purpose.
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Evaluation Analysis & Document Development
Analyze and interpret evaluations to develop a written document identifying strengths, needs, gaps, and implications for instruction and educational programming.
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Longitudinal IEP Analysis
Review IEPs and progress over time to identify patterns, gaps, and areas needing stronger programming.
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IEP Goals & Educational Programming
Develop, rewrite, and strengthen measurable goals, accommodations, supports, services, and progress monitoring.
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Data-Informed Educational Planning
Translate assessments and school data into meaningful recommendations for instruction, intervention, and next steps.
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Multi-Tiered System of Supports, Services & Placement Options
Help families understand school-based interventions and the continuum of special education services and placement options.
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Behavioral & Functional Supports
Support the review and development of FBAs, BIPs, replacement behaviors, and individualized behavioral supports.
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School Meeting Preparation & Advocacy
Prepare families and attend eligibility, IEP, reevaluation, and other school meetings at the parents’ request.
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Student Observations
Observe students in their school environment to better understand learning, behavior, supports, and implementation.
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Collaborative Problem-Solving
Partner with families, school teams, related-service providers, and private professionals to develop coordinated solutions.
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Special Education Process & Parent Rights
Help families understand IDEA, eligibility, IEP implementation, services, accommodations, and their rights within the process.
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Ongoing Parent Consultation & Strategy
Provide strategic guidance between meetings to help families frame concerns, communicate effectively, and determine next steps.
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.
Experience
Coordinated general and technical assistance supports to special education staff and administrators to support program development and compliance with regulations
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)
Problem-solved by collaborating with all stakeholders to work constructively to address concerns related to programs and services resulting in better student outcomes
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
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
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
What People have to say.
Growth
Mindset
