Our Mission
We provide knowledgeable, individualized postsecondary educational consultation and planning for young adults with various learning challenges.
Why We Exist
Postsecondary education for students with unique learning challenges has received increased attention over the past 20 years and great progress has been made with regard to access, quality, and available services. The last decade alone has witnessed changes to federal disability laws, the emergence of inclusive educational practices, and the rapid development of college support programs, resulting in today’s students with disabilities setting higher expectations for themselves and enrolling in postsecondary education programs at increased rates.
There is no question that the concept of postsecondary education has captured the imagination of individuals with disabilities, their families, and institutions of higher education. Today, the possibility of postsecondary education, including college, for students with disabilities is fast becoming a common conversation. However, the process of finding the right postsecondary school at the right time with the right supports for a student with learning challenges can be an overwhelming experience.
While our ultimate goal is to help your student identify those programs, schools and colleges that are the best fit for them and to help them put together the strongest application they can, we believe the process itself is also important. These moments present a tremendous opportunity in your student’s life to take account of what they have achieved, identify where their talents and interests might be leading, and consider who they are and what they want to become. We strongly believe that for your student to really know what school will ultimately be the right place for them, they need to know first who they are, where their strengths lie, and what is truly important to them.
We welcome the opportunity to tell you more about ourselves and our services and to hear your thoughts and hopes for the next steps of your child’s educational journey.
We take the fear and mystery out of postsecondary educational planning and customize the postsecondary educational process for your student thus enabling them to reach their unique potential.
Amy J. Brown, M.Ed., Principal
Why hire an independent educational consultant?
The postsecondary educational search and admissions process for students with disabilities is complex and challenging. Parents and students are faced with choosing from among thousands of postsecondary educational programs, schools and colleges in the United States, in addition to negotiating complex financial aid requirements and selecting postsecondary services and accommodations. Too often, high school counselors are not available to provide individualized attention for your student and generic advice is inadequate for such a complicated process.
Educational Consultants Help Ensure Successful Navigation
There are several tasks an educational consultant engages in that ensures that your student successfully navigates the transition from high school to postsecondary education. An educational consultant:
Focuses on your student’s unique personality, interests, goals and needs.
Assists you and your student in creating a list of postsecondary options that fits your student in terms of interests, priorities and selectivity.
Provides expert advice on admissions, best fit schools, financial aid, the application process, and essay writing.
Highlights the postsecondary education search and admissions information that is relevant to your student and keeps you from getting bogged down in “the noise.”
Simplifies a confusing process.
Takes pressure off of you and sets / tracks priorities.
Maximizes your student’s chances of admission.
We work collaboratively with your family and postsecondary education programs to effectively assess academic and personal goals needed to identify the appropriate next step.
Our Approach
We establish an authentic and supportive relationship with your student and family. This alliance produces a comprehensive understanding of your student’s diverse needs. We work collaboratively with your family to effectively assess your student’s academic and personal goals needed to identify appropriate next steps.
Helping Students Reach Their Full Potential
Our transition and postsecondary educational planning services are dynamic, interactive processes that focus on your student and his or her special needs. Our goal is to find the postsecondary educational program that best helps your student achieve his or her full potential— academically, socially, and emotionally.
Our primary obligation is to accurately and supportively represent your student, based on a careful review of the total situation. We do not solicit or accept compensation from any school or college for a placement or referral.
Maintaining Contact After Acceptance
Once your student has been accepted at a postsecondary school/college, we maintain contact with your student. We have over 15 years of experience, and use this experience, as well as our diligence and focus, to help ensure a successful adjustment and a positive outcome.
We personalize the search and application process to reflect your student’s unique strengths and interests to make the process less stressful, more manageable, and more fulfilling for you and your student.
What We Do
We are an educational advisory service that guides adolescents and young adults through the intricate, complex, and specialized process of transition and postsecondary educational planning. Our solutions incorporate the educational, social-emotional, and self-care goals of your student and family.
Guide You Through the Process
We help your family organize and prepare your student for standardized tests (if required), essays and interviews — and after carefully evaluating your student’s learning style, abilities, and interests we help you determine which schools offer the best fit and value; because the “best” choices aren’t always the most obvious ones.
Identify Postsecondary Educational Options
We help your family find a variety of postsecondary educational options to help your student learn independent living skills, engage in a college experience, and gain internship and work experiences. Our specialty in postsecondary educational planning is helping you and your student connect with postsecondary programming that best fits your student’s unique needs.
Across the country, there are new and established programs that are each uniquely designed to meet the goals of non-traditional students. Programs vary widely and there are many factors and choices. There are independent programs and those integrated into traditional four-year colleges. Programs typically range from two to four years, although some offer lifetime support services. Some programs focus on vocational skills, while others are designed to support and complement a student’s more formal academic work.
Offer Clarity on Evaluations Documentation
We review psycho-educational reports, IEP documents, 504 plans, and other special school reports to help your student understand and prepare specific documentation required for postsecondary education accommodations and support services.
Stay Up-to-date
Each year we visit programs, schools, and colleges throughout the country, and stay abreast of specific requirements, application procedures and financial aid information.
Our Principal
Amy J. Brown, M.Ed. has over 15 years of experience working with neurodiverse students in K-12 and postsecondary environments, as well as the non-profit sector.
Drawing on extensive experience in the field, and a background in education, Amy works exclusively with students with Learning Disabilities, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Adept at achieving results in complex environments with multiple stakeholders ranging from college disability service administrators to local school districts, Amy works with families to support students’ successful journey from high school to postsecondary education.
Books
She is the author of three comprehensive books on postsecondary education including, Navigating Postsecondary Pathways: A Guide to Postsecondary Education for Students With Learning Differences (2021), the Postsecondary Education Program Guide, 2022-2023, and The Student Handbook for Postsecondary Education (2021).
Features
Amy has been featured on Anderson Center for Autism’s radio program, 1 in 54, and has presented on a range of topics related to working with students on the autism spectrum.
Education
Amy received her Masters Degree in Counseling and Consulting Psychology from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education and her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Stonehill College. She has an Advanced Graduate Certificate from NYU in Global Affairs and an Executive Certificate from MIT Sloan School of Management in Management and Leadership.
IECA Membership
Amy is an Associate Member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA).
