About
Your Advocate: Alison Stone
If you’re reading this, you’re probably exhausted. You’ve sat through IEP meetings where you felt unheard. You’ve tried to make sense of evaluation reports filled with jargon. You’ve fought to get your child the support they need—and you’re tired of feeling like the school district sees you as an obstacle instead of a partner.
I see you. I’ve sat in those meetings beside families just like yours. And I’m here to tell you: you don’t have to navigate this alone.
How I Work With Families
When we work together, I help you:
- Understand your rights under IDEA and Section 504. You have more power than you think, and I’ll make sure you know exactly what the law says.
- Prepare for IEP and 504 meetings. We’ll go in with a clear strategy, knowing what to ask for and how to document everything.
- Request the evaluations and services your child needs. Schools are required to evaluate your child when you request it—and I’ll help you make that request in writing.
- Challenge denials and fight for appropriate support. If the district says no, we don’t just accept it. We push back with the law on our side.
This is about making sure your child gets the education they deserve. Not what’s convenient for the school. Not what fits their budget. What your child is legally entitled to receive.
My Background in Special Education
I didn’t start my career as an advocate. I started as a general education classroom teacher in Los Angeles, where I quickly realized how many students were struggling without the support they needed. That’s what led me to specialize in special education—first as a lead teacher for elementary students with autism in Scottsdale, then as a Special Education Coordinator at a preparatory school in Phoenix.
In that coordinator role, I oversaw IEPs and 504 plans for students from kindergarten through high school. I saw what happened when schools followed the law—and what happened when they didn’t. I watched families fight for accommodations that should have been automatic. I learned that having someone on your side who understands both the education system and the legal requirements can change everything.
As an administrator at a charter school in Phoenix, I represented the school in IEP and 504 meetings. I know how districts think. I know the arguments they’ll make when they don’t want to provide services. And I know how to counter those arguments with the law and with documentation they can’t ignore.
But here’s what I learned most from those years: the families who had advocates got better outcomes. They walked into meetings prepared. They knew their rights. They didn’t get talked out of services their children needed.
That’s why I do this work now. Because every family deserves that kind of support.
What Makes My Approach Different
That means I:
- Show up to meetings with you. You won’t walk into an IEP meeting alone, trying to take notes while advocating for your child. I’ll be right there beside you.
- Translate the jargon. Special education is full of acronyms and technical terms. I’ll make sure you understand exactly what everything means and why it matters.
- Document everything. If the school makes a promise, we get it in writing. If they refuse services, we document it. This creates a record we can use if we need to file a complaint or request due process.
- Focus on what your child needs, not what’s easy for the school. I’ve heard every excuse: “We don’t have staff for that.” “No other student gets that accommodation.” “That’s not how we do things here.” None of those are legal reasons to deny services.
- Teach you your power. My goal isn’t to create dependency. It’s to help you understand your rights so you can advocate fiercely for your child—with or without me in the room.
Why This Matters More Than Ever
But here’s what doesn’t change: federal law. Your child’s rights under IDEA and Section 504 don’t disappear when budgets are tight. And schools are still required to provide a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) regardless of their resource constraints.
You shouldn’t have to become a legal expert to get your child what they need. That’s my job. And I take it seriously.
My Credentials
Current Certifications:
- Standard Professional Mild-Moderate Disabilities Special Education, K-12
- Standard Professional Severely/Profound Disabilities Special Education, K-12
- Standard Elementary Education, K-8
- English as a Second Language PreK-12
Education:
- Master of Education, Special Education — Northern Arizona University
- Master of Arts, Education — Pepperdine University
- Bachelor of Arts, Psychology — University of Colorado, Boulder
- Positive Behavior Supports Certificate
Professional Experience:
- Administrator at charter school (representing school in IEP/504 meetings)
- Special Education Coordinator at preparatory school
- Special Education Teacher (lead teacher for students with autism)
- General Education Classroom Teacher
Professional Memberships:
- Council of Parents Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA)
Let's Work Together
Whether you’re preparing for your first IEP meeting or you’ve been fighting for services for years, I’m here to help. You don’t have to figure this out on your own. You don’t have to walk into meetings feeling intimidated or confused. And you definitely don’t have to accept “no” when your child is legally entitled to support.
Contact me today:
Email: alison@stoneeac.com
Phone: 480.973.3553
I’ll respond shortly and we’ll talk about what your child needs—and how we can make sure they get it.
Frequently Asked QuestionsWhen should I contact a special education advocate?
When should I contact a special education advocate?
Contact me as soon as you’re concerned about your child’s education. You don’t need to wait until you’re in crisis. Whether you’re considering requesting an evaluation, preparing for your first IEP meeting, or frustrated with services that aren’t working, I can help at any stage of the process.
How much does advocacy cost?
Every family’s situation is different, so I provide customized quotes based on your specific needs. Contact me and we’ll discuss your child’s situation and what support would be most helpful. My goal is to make advocacy accessible to families who need it.
What's the difference between an advocate and a special education attorney?
An advocate like me helps you navigate the IEP process, prepares you for meetings, ensures your child’s rights are protected, and communicates with the school district on your behalf. An attorney becomes necessary if you need to file for due process or if the situation has become legally complex. I work with families at the advocacy level and can refer you to attorneys if your case requires legal representation.
Can you guarantee my child will get the services I'm requesting?
I can’t guarantee specific outcomes because every IEP team decision involves multiple factors. What I can guarantee is that I’ll make sure you’re prepared, your child’s needs are clearly documented, the school understands what the law requires, and you have a record of everything that happens. Many times, that preparation and knowledge is exactly what changes the outcome.
Do you only work with families in Phoenix and Scottsdale?
I primarily serve families in Maricopa County, but I can work with families throughout Arizona depending on their needs. Contact me and we’ll discuss how I can best support your family regardless of location.
What if my child doesn't have an IEP yet?
That’s okay. Many families contact me before their child has been evaluated or qualified for special education services. I can help you request an evaluation, understand the eligibility process, and prepare for the meetings that will determine whether your child qualifies for an IEP or 504 plan.
Ready to Get Started?
You’ve already taken the first step by researching your options. The next step is reaching out. Send me an email or give me a call, and we’ll talk about what’s happening with your child and how I can help.
Alison Stone
Stone Educational Advocacy & Consulting
Email: alison@stoneeac.com
Phone: 480.973.3553
Your child deserves an education that meets their needs. Let’s make sure they get it.