School Advocacy

Get them on the path to success.

Navigating the educational landscape can be overwhelming for families, especially when a child has unique needs. At the Mala Child and Family Institute, our School Advocacy Program offers unparalleled support, expert guidance, and dedicated advocacy to ensure every child receives a truly exceptional educational experience. Our multidisciplinary team of distinguished school psychologists and occupational therapists collaborates intimately with families and schools to develop a bespoke plan tailored to each child’s strengths and needs.

What to Expect from Our Approach:

Strength-Based Framework

Our program is grounded in a strength-based framework, recognizing and amplifying each child’s AND each school’s inherent strengths and potential. We focus on helping academic systems and parents to empower children to succeed academically, socially, and emotionally by leveraging their unique abilities, rather than fixating on perceived deficits.

Systems Focus

We understand that a child is shaped by their broader environment, including family, school, and community. Our systemic-focused approach ensures that we consider all influences on a child’s development, crafting solutions that are not only effective but sustainable across all aspects of their life.

Neurodiversity Affirming

We embrace neurodiversity, understanding that variations in neurological development are a natural and valuable part of human diversity. Our program affirms neurodiversity, supporting children in celebrating their unique ways of thinking and being, without attempting to fit them into conventional molds.

Culturally Sensitive

Cultural background is a critical factor in a child’s school experience. We are committed to providing culturally sensitive care that honors and integrates the values, traditions, and beliefs of the child and their family into our recommendations and interventions.

Trauma-Informed

Trauma’s impact on a child’s development and behavior is profound, and our approach is designed with this in mind. We ensure that all interventions are trauma-informed, crafted to be sensitive to the child’s past experiences, and meticulously designed to avoid re-traumatization while fostering healing and resilience.

School advocacy and therapeutic child support for students in Farmington Hills, Ann Arbor, and Plymouth, Michigan - children drawing at a crafting table alongside therapist

Program Details

  • Our intake team will guide you through an online form to determine if the program is a good fit for your child. During this process, we review:

    Exclusion Criteria (not eligible)

    • Speech-only needs

    • Legal or lawsuit-related cases

    • Out-of-state clients

    Inclusion Criteria (eligible)

    • K-12 students

    • Students with or without existing services

    • Homeschooled students

    Questions to expect:

    • Are you currently a client at Mala?

    • Have you consulted with your child’s current therapist about their needs and concerns?

  • If your child’s needs align with our program, we’ll schedule a brief 10-15 minute screener call to dive deeper into their situation. During this call, we’ll ask:

    • Any medical or behavioral concerns?

    • What are the main educational needs?

    • If you had a "magic wand," what changes would you make in your child’s school environment?

    • Are you interested in Occupational Therapy (OT) as part of this process?

  • Once we’ve confirmed that the program is appropriate for your child, we’ll request additional input from:

    • Teachers

    • Related service providers (OT, Speech, Physical Therapy, APE, Social Work)

    • Current therapists

    • Educational data (e.g., report cards, assessments)

  • Next, we’ll schedule a parent interview to learn more about your child’s specific needs and how we can best advocate for them in a school setting. During this interview, we’ll discuss:

    • Your child’s educational needs

    • Goals for advocacy

    • If needed, an OT screener or OT introduction to assess further support

  • Depending on your child’s unique needs, you may choose to add additional services, such as:

    • OT Consultation & Observations

    • School Observations

    • Meeting attendance for educational team meetings or IEPs (Individualized Education Plans)

  • We will be with you every step of the way, providing expert guidance and support to ensure your child receives the services and accommodations they are entitled to. Our goal is to advocate for your child’s educational rights and help create the best possible learning environment for their success.

Each phase of the program, from initial screening to ongoing support, is billed at a rate of $175 per hour—private pay only. This allows us to provide personalized, one-on-one attention to ensure your child receives the best possible advocacy throughout the process.

Hiring a school advocate is a personal decision, and their role can vary based on your child's specific needs and circumstances. It's essential to find an advocate with the right expertise, experience, and approach that aligns with your goals for your child's education.

Meet Our Experts

Mala's Ann Arbor school and student psychologist - Grace Chen

Dr. Grace Chen, PhD

Dr. Grace Chen, PhD, is our esteemed School Psychologist. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in school psychology and education, specializing in the assessment and support of students with diverse learning and behavioral needs. Dr. Chen is passionate about ensuring that every child has the opportunity to succeed in school. She excels in conducting comprehensive psychoeducational evaluations, intervention implementation, and has extensive experience as a Multidisciplinary Team member to support the creation of individualized support plans and advocating for students during critical school meetings.

Dr. Chen's Expertise Includes:

  • Comprehensive Psychological Assessments

  • Consultation and Implementation of Academic and Behavioral Intervention

  • Consultation for School-based Multi-Tier Systems of Support (MTSS) 

  • Functional Behavioral Assessments and Behavior Intervention Planning

  • Mental Health Support and Counseling

  • Family and student advocacy in 504 and IEP Meetings

Mala's Farmington Hills school and student psychologist - Nina Brown

Nina Michon, MA, NCSP

Nina Brown is an invaluable asset to our team, with a focus on trauma-informed and neurodiversity affirming practices. As a nationally certified school psychologist, Nina is dedicated to helping children and families navigate the complexities of the educational system. Her approach is deeply collaborative, working closely with families, teachers, and school administrators to ensure each child’s emotional and social needs are met within the school setting.

Nina's Expertise Includes:

  • Trauma-Informed Counseling and Support

  • Comprehensive Psychological Evaluations

  • Social and Emotional Development

  • Family Advocacy and Support

  • Collaboration with School Systems

  • Developing Strength-Based Interventions

Mala's Occupational Therapist for students and children - Katy Bachleda

Kathryn Bachleda, MOT, OTR/L

Kathryn Bachleda, MOT, OTR/L, is our dedicated and compassionate Occupational Therapist. With a strong background in sensory processing, trauma-informed care, and neurodiversity-affirming practices, Kathryn is committed to helping children reach their full potential in both school and life. She has extensive experience working with children who face challenges with motor skills, self-regulation, and sensory integration. Kathryn’s approach is holistic, focusing on the child’s overall well-being, and she is passionate about empowering families through education and advocacy.

Kathryn's Expertise Includes:

  • Sensory Processing Assessments and Interventions

  • Fine, Visual, and Gross Motor Skill Development

  • Self-Regulation Techniques

  • Trauma-Informed Care Approaches

  • Collaboration with Schools for Optimal Learning Environments

Who are School Psychologists?

School Psychologists are specialized professionals trained to enhance students’ learning and teachers’ teaching efficacy. They leverage their expertise in mental health, learning, and behavior to help children and youth achieve academic, social, behavioral, and emotional success.

Hiring a school advocate for your child can offer a range of benefits, especially if your child has special needs, faces challenges in the educational environment, or requires additional support.

We have extensive experience advocating for students within the academic system to make sure every child gets the opportunity to learn in a way that works for them. 

Everyone deserves that.

How They Provide Direct Support to Your Child:

  • Cognitive Assessments: Identifying cognitive strengths to inform individualized education programs (IEPs).

  • Academic Assessments: Diagnosing learning disabilities and academic challenges, providing essential data for IEPs.

  • Behavioral Support: Crafting behavior intervention plans that align with school policies and meet the child’s needs.

  • Mental Health Support: Offering counseling for emotional and behavioral difficulties, ensuring the child receives necessary mental health care.

  • Collaboration with School Staff: Partnering with teachers, administrators, and parents to create a supportive learning environment. School psychologists often act as consultants, guiding systems-level interventions that benefit all students, particularly those needing individualized support.

How Occupational Therapy Aids Advocacy

Occupational Therapy (OT) is a holistic discipline focused on enabling individuals of all ages to develop, recover, or maintain the skills essential for daily living and working. In school advocacy, occupational therapists play a pivotal role in supporting children who face challenges with fine motor skills, sensory processing, self-regulation, and other functional abilities critical to academic success.

How our OT Services Support School Advocacy:

  • Sensory Processing: Assessing how a child processes sensory information and its impact on behavior and learning, providing strategies, and recommending environmental adaptations tailored to each child’s sensory profile.

  • Fine Motor Skills: Enhancing abilities in tasks like writing and cutting, is vital for academic success.

  • Self-Regulation: Teaching techniques to manage emotions and behaviors, supporting learning and social interaction.

  • Environmental Modifications: Recommending classroom changes that align with the child’s sensory and learning needs, such as seating arrangements and sensory breaks.

Key Advantages of having a School Advocate

  • School advocates are often well-versed in special education laws and regulations. They can help ensure that your child's rights are protected and that the school is meeting its legal obligations to provide appropriate accommodations and services.

  • The special education system can be complex, with various processes and paperwork. A school advocate can guide you through these procedures, ensuring that you understand your options, rights, and responsibilities.

  • Advocates can assist in the development and implementation of your child's Individualized Education Program (IEP). They can help you understand the goals, accommodations, and services outlined in the IEP, ensuring it aligns with your child's needs.

  • Advocates can facilitate communication between you and school staff. They can help convey your concerns, ask pertinent questions, and work collaboratively with educators to address your child's unique needs.

  • Having an advocate provides an objective and unbiased perspective. They can assess situations impartially, offering guidance based on your child's best interests without emotional attachment.

  • A school advocate empowers parents by providing them with the knowledge and tools necessary to advocate effectively for their child. This empowerment fosters a collaborative partnership between parents and schools.

  • If conflicts arise between you and the school, an advocate can act as a mediator. They can work to resolve disputes, negotiate solutions, and ensure that your child's educational experience is not compromised.

  • Advocates can help secure appropriate accommodations and modifications for your child. This may include assistive technology, extended time on tests, specialized instruction, or other supports tailored to your child's needs.

  • Navigating the educational system, especially when advocating for a child with special needs, can be emotionally challenging. A school advocate can offer emotional support, understanding, and encouragement throughout the process.

  • Advocates play a crucial role in advocating for educational equality. They work to ensure that your child has the same opportunities and access to education as their peers, promoting an inclusive and supportive learning environment.

Let us advocate on your child’s behalf.

Students and teachers hands in a team cheer formation following a successful school project