Let’s get to know your child.
Many advocates, therapists, and educators have ideas about our children without taking the time to understand who they are. We get that.
Your one of a kind child deserves one of a kind support. That’s why we’re here.
I’ve been there.
I’m Emma Siemasko, educational advocate, IEP consultant, and parent to a neurodivergent child.
When my son was diagnosed, I was extremely overwhelmed. Therapies of all kinds. Reading books. Panicking about potentially homeschooling. Doomscrolling on Instagram. Plus, working to get him evaluated by the school district so that he could get the free and public education he deserved.
As he entered public school, I successfully advocated for him to get the right support. Other parents began reaching out and asking for help. Through countless conversations, I recognized that I could help families navigate the system to better support their unique child.
As a non-attorney advocate, I now specialize in offering support to families with children in preschool and elementary school, ages 2.5 - 10, as the foundational years are extremely important to set children up for longterm success.
I completed COPAA’s intensive Special Education Advocacy (SEAT) 1.0 training in March 2025 to formalize my role as an advocate and to make sure I am always acting in the best interest of families.
Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates
Special Education Advocacy (SEAT) 1.0 Certificate
What we believe
Every child has the capacity to learn and grow.
Children deserve a positive educational experience, whether that be in a public school, NPS, private school, or other setting.
Collaboration is built on trust
Most parents, teachers, educators, and therapists have the best intentions. We work from a place of trust and seek to collaborate with all.
Reasonable expectations
No school, environment, parent, or teacher is perfect. We promote reasonable expectations for what is possible due to the constraints of time, resources, and location.
Advocacy is worth it
The work is worth it. Advocacy takes time, energy, and emotional fortitude. Many opt out of the public school system as a result. We believe advocating is worthwhile.
Our Advisors
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Amy Pollan
Amy is an expert in special education, having served as a classroom teacher for 15+ years in an Nonpublic School (NPS) in Massachusetts, where she worked with children in a therapeutical education program, as well as in resource rooms offering support to students with IEPs. Amy approaches education and difficult cases with empathy, a good dose of humor, and a sensitive BS detector. Amy has a Bachelors of Science in Education from Salem State University and a Masters Degree in Special Education from Endicott College.
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Laura Moody
Laura Moody has been involved in Santa Clara County’s autism community since 1998 when her son was diagnosed. Laura became an IEP advocate in 2000 after spending two years studying IEP rights under IDEA. Since then, she’s helped many families get appropriate services and placements for their children. In 2005, Laura became a certified ABA Therapist and worked with many children at home, as well as in public and private school settings. Laura takes pride in working on some of the most challenging cases and getting good results. She’s attended more autism seminars than she can count. Laura also has a Crisis Intervention Certification.