Professional Member Services Directory

Abilis Autism in Action  

www.abilisautism.com

Contact: Lia Vasquez John, 240-398-2303 

20710 Century BIvd unit #311 Germantown MD20874

info@abilisautism.com 

Abilis Autism in Action is a Maryland Autism Waiver provider proudly serving families in Montgomery, Prince George's, and Howard County. We provide Family Consultation, Intensive Individual Support Services (IISS), and Respite Care, with individualized services designed to support individuals on the autism spectrum and their families. Our multilingual team offers services in English, Spanish, Fante, and Twi.

Beyond our Autism Waiver services, we are deeply committed to empowering and connecting families within our community. We offer FREE community resources, including monthly parent support groups and recreational activities for children, teens, and young adults on the autism spectrum. Through these programs, we strive to create meaningful opportunities for connection, inclusion, learning, and community engagement.

Advocate Navigator LLC 

Silver Spring, MD

202-304-8490; https://advocatenavigator.com/

Contact: Melissa Stein; melissastein@advocatenavigator.com

Services: Educational consulting (Grades PreK–12)

Advocate Navigator LLC serves familles seeking to initiate or improve Montgomery County, MD special education services for their child's academic, social-emotional and/or behavioral needs. Melissa Stein empowers parents to effectively advocate for special education that is individualized and evidence-based for their child's unique strengths and needs. We provide advocacy tools, graduate level special education expertise, and a multifaceted understanding of the MCPS special education process.

Anchor Educational Consulting, LLC 

Anchor Educational Consulting provides quality and compassionate educational services throughout Maryland and Washington, DC.

240-437-4077; anchoriep.com
Contact: contact@anchoriep.com

Services: Board Certified Behavior Analyst; Educational consulting; Verbal Behavior

Anchor Educational Consulting LLC provides compassionate IEP parent support/advocacy; IEP team collaboration; Independent Educational Evaluations; Functional Behavior Assessments, Parent Training; Secondary Transitioning Planning, Staff and Team Behavior Training; Transportation Training; IEP Data Monitoring for FAPE; School Observations; ABA Consultation; IEP Consultation; IEP Progress Monitoring, Outcomes Advocacy, Problem Solving IEP goals that are not progressing, FAPE support; Compensatory ABA Services and Parent Training; and Educational and Behavioral Consultation and Training.

Ascend Ed LLC 

Gaithersburg, MD

301-814-4263; www.ascend-ed.com
Contact: Anneliese Girson; anneliese.girson@gmail.com

Services: Educational consulting and advocacy; Academic tutoring; Evaluations of academic achievement

Ascend Ed provides advocacy, consulting, behavior support plans, transition testing and plans, educational achievement evaluations, and tutoring to support families of children and teenagers with disabilities. Owner Anneliese Girson has firsthand knowledge of IEP implementation, goal writing, service delivery models, and behavior management. She specializes in supporting students and families of students with behavioral needs that impact their relationship with school and learning.

Bass Educational Services, LLC 

4229 Cherry Valley Drive, Olney, MD 20832
301-774-5211; http://www.basseducationalservices.com

Contact: Judy Bass; judy@basseducationalservices.com
Services: Educational consulting; Academic tutoring/coaching; College placement assistance

Bass Educational Services, LLC provides a range of educational services for neurodivergent students, including those with Autism, ADHD, and other learning differences. Our educational consultants provide comprehensive college and postsecondary planning, working with families throughout the entire process, offer guidance in gap year programming, and assist families in facilitating local K-12 school placements. Our Certified Executive Function coaches work with students from middle school through college, and our trained, experienced tutors provide online one-on-one SAT/ACT test prep and subject tutoring. Additionally, we provide assistance in obtaining ACT accommodations.

Matthew B. Bogin, Attorney at Law 

5454 Wisconsin Ave., Ste. 760, Chevy Chase, MD 20815
301-656-1755; www.boginlaw.com
Contact: Matthew Bogin; matthew.bogin@boginlaw.com
Services: Financial/trust management

Matthew B. Bogin has been helping families with special needs members throughout the D.C. metropolitan area for over thirty-five years. He is well respected for his championing the varying rights of special needs clients. Currently his particular focus is ensuring that families with special needs members complete and review planning to ensure a successful future for these children. Because that calls for specialized knowledge and expertise, Matthew is ideally suited to assist clients in the area of special needs trust, estate planning, and guardianship.

Casey's Special Education Services, LLC 

Serving Washington, DC & surrounding counties

202-855-0087; https://www.caseythespeducator.com/

Contact: admin@caseythespeducator.com

Services: Academic tutoring/coaching, Behavioral support, Parent coaching, Placement and IEP/504 plan guidance

Casey’s Special Education Services provides individualized support for learners ages 2 through 28 across Maryland, DC, and Virginia. We are fully inclusive and committed to supporting individuals with a wide range of learning needs, abilities, and educational goals. Our team of special educators works collaboratively with families, schools, and related service providers to provide a holistic, student-centered approach that supports academic, social-emotional, and executive functioning skills.

Services include one-on-one in-home tutoring, homeschooling support, resource planning, parent coaching, school placement guidance, IEP/504 plan consultation and more.

Our students have a wide range of learning profiles, including those who are twice-exceptional, have complex cognitive or medical profiles, experience mental health challenges, or present with a PDA profile. Whether a family is seeking academic support or is trying to find the right school for their child, we meet them where they are—and build a comprehensive support plan from there.

Center for Assessment And Treatment (CAAT) 

8401 Connecticut Ave., Ste. 700, Chevy Chase, MD 20815
240-424-0184; caatonline.com
Contact: David Black, Ph.D.; dblack@caatonline.com
Services: Psychological counseling; Social skills therapy; Behavioral therapy; Neuropsychological testing; Educational testing; Educational consulting

The Center for Assessment And Treatment (CAAT) was created to improve the lives of children, teens, and adults. Their team consists of compassionate clinicians who are dedicated to identifying the obstacles that interfere with an individual’s performance and creating personalized treatment plans to help the individual reach his or her full potential. CAAT provides extraordinary service through a uniquely integrated and continuous approach to evaluation, treatment, and support. We are committed to helping people reach their potential through careful evaluations of strengths and weaknesses and providing individually tailored, empirically-based interventions.

Children’s Specialized ABA Therapy

12240 Indian Creek Ct, Beltsville MD, 20705
443-774-0502; https://childrens-aba.org/
Contact: Jasmine Molina; jware@childrens-aba.org

Services: Psychological counseling; Occupational therapy; Physical therapy; Speech/language therapy; Social skills therapy; Behavioral therapy; Educational consulting; Behavioral support; Neuropsychological testing; Board Certified Behavior Analyst; Verbal Behavior

We provide personalized, evidence-based ABA therapy for children with autism, helping them build skills, independence, and confidence. Our services include center- and home-based ABA, speech and occupational therapy, early intervention, and family support. Accredited for excellence, we tailor treatment plans to each child’s unique strengths and needs, offering a holistic approach that truly sets us apart.

CLE | College Living Experience 

401 North Washington Street, Rockville MD 20850

240-610-8699; https://experiencecle.com

Contact: Carmen Zahra, czahra@experiencecle.com

Services: College assistance

CLE is a post-secondary transition program for neurodiverse young adults, with locations across the country including the DC metro area.

CLE supports young adults ages 18–26 as they build independence through apartment-style living, college coursework, career development, and community connection — all within a neurodiverse peer community.

With individualized coaching and a strengths-based approach, CLE bridges the gap between high school structures and adult life. For families navigating the "what's next" question, CLE offers a real path forward.

Cultivate Rehabilitation Services, LLC

https://www.cultivaterehab.com/

21800 Slidell Rd, Boyds, MD 20841 

Contact: Nathalie@cultivaterehab.com; 301-244-9804

Services: Occupational therapy, Therapeutic Horseback Riding

Cultivate Rehabilitation Services is a therapist-owned private practice that offers occupational therapy services in various settings, including nature-based therapy, hippotherapy, and home- and clinic-based therapy.  Cultivate also offers therapeutic riding lessons. Therapeutic riding lessons are adaptive, recreational riding lessons for children and adults with disabilities. Cultivate primarily serves children, teens and young adults. Occupational therapy services start at age 2 and therapeutic riding lessons start at age 4. 

DC Peers 

5028 Wisconsin Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20016
202-580-5622; www.dcpeers.org
Contact: Catherine Robertson; crobertson@dcpeers.org
Services: Nonprofit organization

DC Peers is a nonprofit providing innovative social supports and social opportunities to neurodiverse groups of teens and young adults. We're committed to raising neurodiversity awareness in our organization and our community.

Exceptional Educational Solutions 

701 Hyde Rd, Silver Spring, MD 20902
724-320-9026; ExceptionalEducationalSolutions.com
Contact: Stephanie Frumkin, M.A.Ed.; Stephanie@exceptionaleducationalsolutions.com
Services: Educational consulting, Special education advocacy

Exceptional Educational Solutions helps parents of bright students with learning differences in the D.C. metro area find the best school fit so their children can thrive. Stephanie Frumkin is an educational consultant and the founder of Exceptional Educational Solutions (EES) with over 25 years of experience in the field of education. Stephanie specializes in working with twice-exceptional (2e) students and enjoys serving complex profiles including many bright autistic students and their families. Stephanie holds both a B.A. and M.A. in education. She is a professional member of Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA) with a Learning Differences/Neurodiversity sub-specialty and completed the IECA Summer Training Institute. She is also a member of Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA) and graduated from their Special Education Advocacy Training (SEAT 2.0). She is a member of Washington Independent Services for Educational Resources (WISER) and is a past MCCPTA Special Education Committee chair.

Feig Mediation Group, LLC 

10411 Motor City Drive, Suite 750, Bethesda, MD 20817

301-785-8972; www.feigmediationgroup.com

Contact: Erik Feig; erik@feigmediationgroup.com

Services: Special education advocacy; Special education law

Feig Mediation Group provides mediation for parents and adult family members in neurodiverse families who are dealing with important decisions but aren't on the same page - yet.

We help parents and families have constructive, solutions-oriented dialogue so that they can shift from "trying to win" when they disagree to creating solutions together that everyone can say yes to.

Issues we mediate and coach include:

• Communicating, Coordinating, and Managing Logistics and Task Sharing

• Medical Decisions and Evaluations

• School and Educational Decisions

• Financial Planning and Budgeting

• Dealing with Decisions involving Supports, Therapies, Therapeutics and Services

• Addressing Clutter and Sharing Space

• Parenting Roles and Decision Making

• Co-Parenting, divorce & integrating Blended Families

• Resolving Parenting Disagreements! 

Brian K. Gruber, P.C., Law Office 

6110 Executive Blvd., Ste. 220, Rockville, MD 20852
301-657-3777; www.bkgpc.com
Contact: Brian K. Gruber, Esq., brian.gruber@bkgpc.com
Services: Special education law including consultation, representation at IEP meetings, conflict resolution, mediation, and due process hearings; educational consulting; financial and trust management

The Law Office of Brian K. Gruber, P.C., represents students and their parents in matters related to special education, access to appropriate accommodations under section 504, and students who are facing long-term suspension or expulsion. By developing and maintaining strong relationships with public school agencies in Maryland and DC, the office is often able to help achieve a positive outcome for clients without the need for litigation. Our staff of attorneys have handled hundreds of due process hearings and mediations across Maryland and the District of Columbia. 

Guiding Exceptional Parents, LLC 

4711 Sheridan St., Riverdale Park, MD 20737
301-768-8503, www.guidingexceptionalparents.com
Contact: Sarah Wayland, wayland@guidingexceptionalparents.com
Services: Social Skills Therapy; Behavioral Therapy; Educational Consulting; Behavioral Support; Coaching

In addition to co-authoring the book, "Is This Autism? A Guide for Clinicians and Everyone Else," Sarah Wayland, Ph.D., is a parenting coach, certified RDI consultant, and a special needs care navigator at Guiding Exceptional Parents, LLC. Her work as a parenting coach involves working closely with families to figure out which parenting strategies are best suited to their family - taking the profiles of both the caregivers and the child into account.

As an RDI™ consultant, Dr. Wayland works with parents to show them how to teach their children the essential skills that make relationships work. She teaches them how to identify problems, and through a highly customized program that takes both their profile and their child’s profile into account, they learn how to teach the missing skills. She also works with teens and adults to help them learn the skills necessary for making and maintaining meaningful relationships.

Her Special Needs Navigation Services are designed to help parents learn how to access resources and knowledge so they can confidently and effectively help their children. She knows how to effectively navigate clinical care and educational systems, how to evaluate reports, and how to help prioritize.

H2D Counseling, Sumaiya Olatunde 

301-575-4885; www.h2dcounseling.com

Contact: Sumaiya Olatunde; sumaiya@h2dcounseling.com

Services: Academic tutoring/coaching; College assistance; College placement assistance; Educational consulting; Special education law

H2D Counseling provides educational advocacy and school admissions services for all students (K-12, college and graduate level). We participate in IEP and 504 meetings, connect families and students with resources, provide academic oversight for struggling students, and help identify needed supports in the areas of education, mental health, therapies, and other needs as they arise. Our approach is very individualized and student-centered with a focus on balancing short-term needs with long-term goals.

Jean Hickey, M.Ed. 

Kensington, MD

Contact: 240-460-5306; jhickeyllc@gmail.com
Services: Individual educational therapy; academic tutoring/coaching; parent training and support

Jean Hickey has worked with children and adolescents with significant learning needs for more than thirty years. Jean works with individuals ages 3-21 and her experience covers the range of academic skills in addition to community, vocational, and life skills instruction. For the past 25 years, Jean has worked one-on-one with students to build skills in all areas of learning. Jean values the role parents play in their child's education and welcomes parents and caregivers to sit in on all sessions. Jean works primarily from her Kensington office or via virtual Zoom sessions. Jean has experience working with children on the Autism Spectrum as well as children with Fragile X, Down Syndrome, and rare genetic disorders. Jean develops a hands-on, fun, and individualized approach for each student and provides parents with information and skills to support their child. In addition to individual instruction and parent support, Jean also consults with team members and coordinates the focus of support among school-based and private therapists and teachers. Jean also develops home-based instruction for a team approach and has experience developing and supporting home-school plans. Jean has delivered presentations and led workshops for the xMinds community and has presented at the Fragile X International Conference and the Learning Disabilities Association of Montgomery County. Jean is a special educator with both a bachelor and master's degree in special education. Jean is also trained in Orton-Gillingham IMSE and completed the S.E.A.T. 1.0 course through COPAA (Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates).

Integrated Living Opportunities 

451 N. Hungerford Drive, Ste. 119, Box 201, Rockville MD 20850
www.ilonow.org
Contact: Executive Director Tait Danielson Castillo; info@ilonow.org
Services: Independent living support; coaching

Integrated Living Opportunities (ILO) is a nonprofit organization helping adults with developmental disabilities build independent, connected lives in their communities. Through Community Building, Skill Building, and individualized Support Teams, ILO helps self-advocates strengthen life skills, develop meaningful relationships, pursue personal goals, and increase independence. ILO partners with self-advocates and their families to create sustainable networks of paid and unpaid support that extend beyond traditional disability services.

The Ivymount School and Outreach Programs 

11614 Seven Locks Rd., Rockville, MD 20854
301-469-0223; www.ivymount.org
Contact: Carolyn Leskowitz Woodham; cwoodham@ivymount.org
Services: Private school; Nonprofit organization; Occupational therapy; Speech/language therapy; Social skills therapy; Behavioral therapy; Educational consulting; Athletics/recreational support

Ivymount School and Programs provide school- and community-based services for children and young adults with special needs from throughout the Washington metropolitan area.

The school serves more than 200 students, ages 4–21, with speech and language impairments, learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, health impairments, and Autism Spectrum Disorders. The classrooms are structured to serve students with a range of academic and cognitive abilities, including, in some cases, those who have the potential to obtain a high school diploma.

Ivymount Outreach Programs serve students, teachers, and parents to support children with learning and developmental challenges in the community through assessments, evaluations, therapies and professional development. The goal in all of the programs is to help children and young adults achieve their highest level of development and independence to live with dignity and self-respect. Ivymount School has been twice recognized as a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the U.S. Department of Education. Founded in 1961, Ivymount celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2021.

JMS Education Consulting  

240-994-0330; https://www.jmseduconsulting.com/

Contact: Joanna Krill; joanna@jmseduconsulting.com

Services: Educational consulting; Educational testing

At JMS Education Consulting, we believe families and schools must work together to meet the needs of all children. Together, we will define what success meets for your child and help them to achieve it. This includes the IEP and 504 process. I also conduct educational assessments, do observations and share strategies, write and edit IEPs, and participate in all types of meetings.

Kingsbury Wellness & Learning Group 

http://www.kingsburywellness.org/

8701 Georgia Ave, Silver Spring MD, 20910

202-545-2410

Contact: Lauren Siegel, lsiegel@kwlg.org

Services:  Behavioral therapy, Educational testing, Neuropsychological testing, Nonprofit organization, Psychological counseling, Social skills therapy

Kingsbury Wellness & Learning Group is a nonprofit team of doctoral-level psychologists who are committed to making high quality therapy and neuropsychological evaluation accessible to all families in the DMV area. We provide thorough and comprehensive services to children and adults with learning and behavioral challenges, such as autism, learning disabilities, ADHD, anxiety, and more. We have expertise in schools, special education, and compassionate, person-centered diagnosis and treatment. When families choose us for their therapy and evaluation needs, they also make a difference in the lives of less fortunate families who cannot afford to pay out of pocket. We use the proceeds from our services and invest them in programming for underserved communities.

MOCO Movement Center 

5268-A Nicholson Lane, Kensington, MD 20895
301-770-5437; www.MOCOmc.com
Contact: Andrea Santman; info@MOCOmc.com
Services: Occupational therapy; Physical therapy; Speech-language therapy; Behavioral therapy; Social skills therapy; Athletics/recreational support; Coaching

MOCO Movement Center is a fully inclusive pediatric therapy practice and athletic movement center. We offer movement classes for children of all ages and abilities and provide therapy services to support their function. MOCO's proprietary method, Applied Functional Therapy, takes evidence-based physical, occupational and speech therapy out of the clinic and integrates it into real life activities to help your child achieve better functional outcomes. MOCO Movement Center is committed to excellence and puts our patients and families first! That means staying on the cutting-edge of medical research and education, truly understanding your child’s goals, and adapting therapy to meet their specific needs. Showing families how to interact and grow in a real-world environment is our way of showing you that MOCO’s commitment does not end at our doors.

Martinez Advocacy 

10605 Concord St., Ste. 102, Kensington, MD 20895
202-255-7842; www.martinezadvocacy.com
Contact: Monica Martinez; mmartinez@martinezadvocacy.com
Services: Special Education Advocacy

Monica Martinez is a special education advocate working with families in Montgomery County, MD. Through her 12+ years of involvement in Partnership for Extraordinary Minds (xMinds), Monica developed an in-depth understanding of how Montgomery County Public Schools educates students on the autism spectrum and how to navigate the district’s special education system. Monica’s areas of expertise are services and accommodations for students on the autism spectrum, as well as those with ADHD and/or co-morbid mental health issues. Monica also works to help parents and guardians understand the educational rights of their children. Monica has attended Wrightslaw Special Education Law and Advocacy Training and completed the yearlong Special Education Advocate Training (SEAT) 2.0 through the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA).

Amy Mounce Educational Consulting

https://amyeducationalconsulting.com/

Contact: abmounce@msn.com; 301-357-0498

Services: Educational consulting; Educational testing

Amy Mounce is an experienced special educator, university instructor and teacher supervisor, educational diagnostician, advocate, and trainer with over 25 years in the field of special education. She is dedicated to empowering students, families, and educators to improve student success across all educational settings. Amy provides expert recommendations, guidance, and advocacy throughout every stage of the special education process—including identification, eligibility, IEP/504 plan development, implementation, instruction, and annual reviews. She values data-informed,proactive and collaborative partnerships with all stakeholders to build effective, sustainable supports that address both academic and social-emotional needs of students.

MVS Educational Services & Support, LLC 

www.mvsed.com 

Contact: meg.shah@mvsed.com; 631-317-9866 

Services: Academic tutoring/coaching; Educational consulting

Meg Shah is an educational consultant and former school leader who works with parents navigating the IEP and 504 process. She helps families use evaluations and academic and behavioral data to develop clear, workable plans with their school. At the heart of her work is helping families feel informed, confident, and collaborative, especially in moments that can feel overwhelming and emotional. Additionally, Meg leads a cohort of amazing tutors, providing targeted, high-quality academic support and interventions to help students thrive.

My Pace Learning and Behavioral Health

White Saddle Drive, Germantown MD 20874
301-978-1287; https://mypacelearning.clientsecure.me/#services

Contact: Monica Reaves LCSW-C; Monica@mypacelearningbh.com

Services: Psychological counseling; Social skills therapy; Behavioral therapy; Behavioral support

A neuro-affirming mental health practice dedicated to supporting the neurodiverse community treating children, teens, and adults. As a therapist, I have a background in both mental health and special education with a focus on supporting the individual as a whole within the systems they interact with. Hablo español para apoyar a las familias de habla-hispana con servicios de terapia.

Neural Movement LLC 

https://www.Neural-Movement.com

5616 Randolph Rd, Rockville MD 20852

Contact: 240-899-6999, ali@neural-movement.com  

Services: Athletics/recreational support, Behavioral support

Neural Movement is a neuro-performance and adaptive training organization dedicated to improving movement, cognitive function, and quality of life through engaging, individualized exercise. Our mission is to help every individual reach their full potential by combining physical activity with training that challenges reaction time, coordination, focus, visual processing, executive functioning, and self-regulation.

For children with neurological and developmental differences, including autism, Neural Movement provides a supportive and adaptable environment where movement is used to build confidence, independence, social engagement, and functional skills. Our programs are designed to meet each child at their individual ability level while making exercise structured, engaging, and rewarding.

NeuroNest Advising LLC

www.neuronestadvising.com

Contact: joann@neuronestadvising.com

Services: Behavioral support; Special education advocacy

NeuroNest Advising partners with parents of neurodivergent and high-needs children (primarily ages 5–12), providing personalized, neuro-affirming guidance to help families better understand their child's unique strengths and challenges. Through one-on-one and group coaching, we deliver practical strategies and trusted resources - from a lived experience lens - to empower caregivers to navigate everyday parenting moments with greater confidence and connection.

Optimal Beginnings, LLC 

Contact: Ellen Le; ele@optimalbeginning.com; 301-718-1716

6010 Executive Boulevard, Suite 400, Rockville MD 20852

Services: Speech/language therapy; Social skills therapy; Behavioral therapy; Educational consulting; Neuropsychological testing; Behavioral support; Coaching; Board Certified Behavior Analyst; Verbal Behavior; Educational testing

Optimal Beginnings partners with families, charter networks and schools to provide expert, integrated support for students with developmental differences, especially those on the autism spectrum. We specialize in early intervention, classroom-based behavior support, diagnostic services, and group therapy, working together with school teams to ensure students thrive both academically and developmentally.

Here’s how we can support our clients:

• Behavior consultation & classroom coaching to strengthen inclusive environments

• Group ABA & speech therapy (ages 1.5–17) in a team-based setting

• Autism assessments & diagnostics to start services early and effectively

• Parent workshops & community circles to equip and uplift families

Our care model is collaborative, culturally responsive, and built around what schools and families need most.

Playful Therapy Connections 

Offices in 10 N Jefferson St, Frederick, MD 21701 and 6110 Executive Blvd, Suite 540, Rockville, MD 20852

https://playfultherapy.net

Contact: Jaclyn Halpern, Psy.D., Partner, Clinical Director of Psychology, and Psychology Supervisor; jaclyn.h@playfultherapy.net

Services: Psychological counseling, Social skills therapy, Behavioral therapy, Educational consulting, Educational testing, Neuropsychological testing, Behavioral support

Playful Therapy Connections is a neurodiversity affirming psychotherapy and testing practice with in person services in Montgomery County and Frederick County, MD. We also serve MD, DC, VA, DE, SC, and PSYPACT ® states virtually. Our clinicians provide comprehensive psychological and mental health services, specializing in supporting neurodivergent children, teens, adults, parents, & families. If you are looking for empathic and warm individual, group, parent, family, or testing support we are here for you! Our clinicians will meet you and your children where you/they are to identify, understand, and support your/their vulnerabilities and needs, while embracing your/their strengths, interests, values, and goals. We are inclusive and welcoming to all.

Raising Orchid Kids 

Washington, DC

917-696-1155; www.raisingorchidkids.com

Contact: Jen Dryer and Gabriele Nicolet; raisingorchidkids@gmail.com
Services: Educational consulting, Behavioral support coaching

Raising Orchid Kids is a parent education and coaching practice dedicated to helping parents find practical parenting strategies that actually work with neurodivergent kids/teens and community among other parents navigating relatable parenting challenges.

Reach Every Voice 

800 S. Frederick Ave, Suite 210 Gaithersburg, MD 20877

240-630-1785; www.reacheveryvoice.org

Contact: Lisa Mihalich Quinn / Caele Gambs; info@reacheveryvoice.org
Services: Augmentative & Alternative Communication (AAC) Services; Academic tutoring/coaching; Multimodal Communication; Communication/Educational consultant; IEP Consultation / Advocacy

Reach Every Voice is a practice of educators who support nonspeaking and minimally speaking learners through communication coaching, literacy and academic instruction, and inclusive programs for learners of all ages. Our team partners with families and schools to build reliable communication skills, adapt grade-level curriculum, and foster genuine belonging. We also review IEPs, attend meetings, and provide advocacy to help families ensure their child’s communication and educational needs are fully supported.

Rebecca Resnik & Associates 

Executive Office: 6125 Executive Boulevard, North Bethesda, MD 20852

Old Georgetown Office: 11510 Old Georgetown Rd, Suite F, North Bethesda, MD 20852

301-581-1120; www.resnikpsychology.com
Contact: Rebecca Resnik; drresnik@resnikpsychology.com
Services: Psychological counseling; Educational consulting; Educational testing; Neuropsychological testing

For 15 years, we have offered exceptional psychological assessment, psychotherapy, medical/dental desensitization, educational advocacy, psychiatry, and training/continuing education. Our highly credentialed licensed clinicians provide all services personally in a sensory friendly environment (including testing). Unlike other practices where inexperienced grad students learn by practicing on your child, our clinicians are fully licensed, highly experienced professionals with excellent credentials. Our clinicians are highly committed to evidence based practice and scholarship. We personalize all services around your goals so you or your child can achieve your full potential.

The Rooted Child - Slater Early Childhood Consulting, LLC 

10605 Concord Street, Kensington, MD 20895

(301) 565-0534; www.therootedchild.com

Contact:  Stephanie Slater; Stephanie@therootedchild.com

Services: Early Childhood Consulting for children 12 months through 8-years-old. Navigation, Advocacy and Coordination of Care, Parent Education

The Rooted Child supports parents of young children by helping them understand their child’s unique developmental needs and navigate the often-overwhelming world of therapies, schools, and services. We offer personalized guidance, connect families with the right specialists and resources, and provide ongoing oversight of each child’s care plan. By ensuring seamless communication between parents, therapists, and providers, we create a coordinated environment where children can truly thrive.

Naomi Rubinstein LLC 

North Potomac, MD

Contact: Naomi Rubinstein; naomirubinsteinllc@gmail.com; 301-509-9181

Services: Direct developmental support services, parent coaching, collaboration with schools and outside practitioners, case management, inclusion support, special education navigation, and professional development. Serving infants through 12 years old.

Naomi Rubinstein, M.Ed. partners with parents, schools, and outside practitioners to support children as they develop the tools to be resilient, social, independent and cognitively flexible teens and young adults. She spends time with the child and family in multiple environments-home, school, social settings-in order to understand the whole child and family dynamics. She guides parents to identify and prioritize the appropriate combination of treatments and/or approaches to best support their child’s goals. Naomi takes a holistic view of the child’s development in order to create and execute individualized developmental plans. This approach assists children as they utilize their interests and strengths to develop the building blocks necessary to thrive in various social and academic settings. She problem solves with parents and schools and provides them with individualized, research-based tools to support the child in all situations. In addition, she works directly with the child to explicitly teach skills and meet goals. She often promotes the attainment of goals during individual and/or parent coaching sessions and then scaffolds these skills in real time, thus, promoting generalization across settings.

Through this process, parents better understand the needs of their child and are able to think flexibly about how best to support their child during challenging times. Naomi’s collaborative approach ensures strategies are in place throughout the week-from school to play dates to daily routines at home-thus, setting up the child for success. Areas of support: Social/emotional development, executive functioning, play, behavior, cognitive flexibility, and sibling relationships. 

SCI Educational Consultants, Inc. 

8800 Quiet Stream Ct., Potomac, MD 20854
301 996-4124
Contact: Dr. Sheila Iseman, scikids@gmail.com
Services: Special education consulting

Dr. Iseman, with 50 years' experience in the area of special needs, provides services to students and their parents to achieve appropriate educational programming and/or placement in public and private schools. Consulting services include case management, IEP development, support at all meetings, programming and placement, and referrals for evaluations and community services.

Shefter Law, PA 

shefterlaw.com; 110 N Washington St, Suite 350, Rockville, MD 20850 

Contact: Frances Shefter; frances@shefterlaw.com; 301-605-7303 

Services: Special education law; Educational consulting

Shefter Law, PA is a law firm dedicated to helping families have a Stress-Free IEP experience. Parents of Children with Special Needs have a ton of demands on their time and energy. Learning the complexities of how to get your child’s school to meet his or her unique needs is just one more thing you do not need on your plate. As a former Special Education teacher, Frances Shefter is uniquely able to mix Education and the Law to help take the stress out of the IEP or 504 process. She aims to empower families with the knowledge and resources needed to help bring peace and harmony to their home.  

Starobin Counseling, LLC 

18213 Hillcrest Ave., Olney, MD 20832
301-417-5979; www.starobincounseling.com
Contact: Caron Starobin, LCSW-C; caron@starobincounseling.com
Services: Psychological counseling, Social skills therapy, Support groups

Starobin Counseling offers individual, couples, family, and group therapy. In individual & family counseling for autistic people, people have a space for exploring their identity as an autistic person, exploring and addressing trauma that impacts their daily living, learning relationship skills and tools for thinking with greater flexibility, and receiving support and counseling for mental health issues like depression and anxiety. Family members learn to interact with greater ease and compassion with their loved ones and learn how to provide support and scaffolding for their autistic family members. Starobin Counseling facilitates the following support group programs:  Parents Together,  Siblings Together, and Autistic Adults Support Groups. The parent groups offer parents emotional support, information, resources, and connection to other parents with similar experiences and aims to strengthen the capacity of parents to navigate the maze of services for their children, adolescents, and young adults. Siblings Together offers a supportive and therapeutic space for children and adolescents who have autistic siblings.   Starobin Counseling also offers two support groups for autistic adults. These groups are open to self-identified autistics and autistics with formal diagnoses. The adult groups provide a supportive space for making connections that can reduce social isolation and a space where members can share experiences and exchange resources with others who may relate to the path autistics travel in a world designed for neurotypicals.

The Stixrud Group, LLC 

8720 Georgia Ave., Suite 606, Silver Spring, MD 20910

(301) 565-0534; http://stixrud.com

Contact:  Dr. Salya Namazi; snamazi@stixrud.com

Services: Educational Testing; Neuropsychological Testing

The Stixrud Group is a group of neuropsychologists and clinical psychologists who specialize in the evaluation of children, adolescents and adults with learning, attention, social or emotional difficulties. We are committed to the alleviation of suffering for our clients and their families by removing any blocks to their experiencing happiness and fulfillment in life. We believe this is accomplished by helping our clients understand themselves. Our goal is to use our professional knowledge and skills to help people achieve educational and professional success, emotional healing and interpersonal harmony in their relationships.

The Treatment and Learning Centers 

2092 Gaither Rd., Ste. 100, Rockville, MD 20850
301-424-5200; www.ttlc.org
Contact: Michelle Lyons; mlyons@ttlc.org
Services: Private school; Psychological counseling; Occupational therapy; Speech/language therapy; Social skills therapy; Educational testing; Neuropsychological testing; Academic tutoring/coaching

TLC annually serves nearly 2,000 children and adults with a wide range of special needs. Our mission is to improve the lives of and to expand possibilities for these individuals through offering a family of services within one organization. We offer speech-language and occupational therapy, evaluations and summer programs for children; comprehensive psychological and educational testing, tutoring and counseling for students with learning challenges.

The Katherine Thomas School is a private school for students with moderate to severe language and learning disabilities and/or autism, preschool through twelfth grade. Summer programs and intensive educational programs are available.

The Outcomes Service helps individuals with special needs find and keep jobs and live independently in our community.

The Family Hearing Center conducts hearing testing, provides counseling, evaluations and hearing aid fittings for all ages.

Vista Choice Supports, LLC 

1500 Pointer Ridge Place, Unit 1721 Bowie, MD 20716

(240) 472-2846; https://vistachoice.org/

Contact: Linda Stringer; Linda@vistachoice.org

Services: Coaching; Support Brokerage

Vista Choice Supports provides Support Broker services and Day to Day Administrative services to individuals with developmental disabilities in the Community Waiver program who self-direct their services and supports. We advocate for services, supports, and provide human resources assistance in retaining staff and supports. We participate in the annual PCP to help the individual determine what supports they need to live their best life. The Support Broker and day Administrator are paid out of the individual's Budget.

Weinfeld Education Group (WEG) 

Rich Weinfeld, Executive Director
4865A Cordell Ave, Ste 240, Bethesda, MD 20814
301-681-6233; www.wegadvocacy.com
Contact: office@wegadvocacy.com
Services: Educational Advocacy, IEP Planning, School Selection, Trainings and Consultations, Expert Witness, Gifted and Talented, Behavioral/Discipline Services 

Weinfeld Education Group strives to help all students reach their potential. They focus on students who face increased obstacles presented by their learning challenges or disabilities, and are in need of special education or other educational support services. WEG provides services in Maryland, Virginia, DC, and virtually, nationwide.

Dr. Jamell White 

Services primarily provided in offices located in Rockville and Bethesda; Community-based support and virtual sessions also offered.
Contact: Dr. Jamell White; drjamellwhite@gmail.com; 301-613-1766 

Services: Psychological counseling; Social skills therapy; Behavioral support

Dr. Jamell White is a therapist specializing in working with children, adolescents and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other (neuro)developmental disabilities.  She has over 20 years of experience providing individual and family therapy, social skills intervention, and care coordination and consultation for individuals and their families. Dr. White is also a PEERS Certified Provider.

Dr. White has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Maryland, a master’s degree in social work from The Catholic University of America, a master’s degree in special education from Johns Hopkins University and a doctorate in Human Development and Quantitative Methodology from the University of Maryland. Dr. White is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry (Child and Adolescent) at Georgetown University School of Medicine as well as a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences.