93 - Lorraine Hightower turns pain to purpose for neurodiverse kids
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Lorraine Hightower is a certified Dyslexia Advocate and founder of a leading educational advocacy practice in Northern Virginia. Combining professional expertise with her personal journey as a parent, she transforms the lives of children with dyslexia by creating personalized educational plans that help them learn and thrive.Her advocacy has shaped state policy - securing mandated teacher training on dyslexia in Virginia - and earned her the âChild Advocate of the Yearâ award from the Virginia state PTA. Recently, she received the âCypress Leadership Awardâ from The Siena School for her instrumental work in securing vital support for children with dyslexia. Featured in Dystinct magazine and a frequent guest on national podcasts, Lorraine and her team provide hands-on advocacy, parent training, and consultation for families nationwide.She holds a Certificate in Special Education Advocacy from William & Mary Law School, is a trained mediator, has been a state leader for âDecoding Dyslexia Virginia,â a past board member of the Virginia International Dyslexia Association, and is a professional member of the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA). Lorraine is a fierce advocate for individuals with dyslexia, as she relentlessly champions structured literacy interventions, effective accommodations, and the opportunities every child needs to succeed in school and in life.Lorraine's Notes from the Sidelines:
- Moms know deep down when something isn't right.
- You could do everything right and still have a child with needs.
- The special ed process is lengthy and often met with challenge and condescension. It's not that they teachers don't want to help; it's often that they don't have the proper training.
- 2-4 kids in every classroom are dyslexic. Literacy is a national crisis.
- Anytime something hard happens, we go through the 5 stages of grief (denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance). The 6th stage is advocacy, because you want to help others avoid your pain.
- When you get baseline assessment results from school, take initiative to have a conversation with the school.
- Educational advocacy is unregulated, so do your homework to find the right advocate.
- Waiting is never the answer.
- Get emotional behind the scenes, not at a school meeting.
- We do what we believe is best, so give yourself grace.
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