Why I Started M. Patton Special Education Advocacy and Consulting

I didn’t set out to become a special education advocate — it’s a path that found me through the most important role I’ve ever held: being a parent.

My oldest daughter is 18 and lives with cerebral palsy and epilepsy. She requires significant support, accommodations, and modifications to succeed in school — and in life. My younger daughter is affected by ADHD and struggles with focus, hyperactivity, and self-regulation. Advocating for them has been a daily part of my life for over 18 years.

But as I navigated IEP meetings, evaluations, supports, and setbacks, I realized something: I wasn't just learning how to advocate for my own children — I was gaining the experience, tools, and knowledge to help other families, too.

🎓 From Parent to Professional

Alongside my personal advocacy journey, I worked as a paraeducator for over four years and later became a special education teacher in a moderate-to-severe disabilities classroom, where I taught for more than five years.

In every classroom, every IEP meeting, and every phone call with a parent, I saw the same truth: families want to do the right thing for their children — they just need support, guidance, and someone who truly understands both the system and the struggle.

That’s why I created M. Patton Special Education Advocacy and Consulting — to serve as that bridge between families and schools, knowledge and action, frustration and empowerment.

💡 My Mission

Through this business, my goal is to:

• Empower parents with knowledge of their rights under IDEA

• Support families during IEP meetings and difficult conversations

• Educate and consult so parents feel equipped to advocate on their own

• Build a community where no one has to go through this alone

I believe that advocacy should not be a long-term burden for families — instead, it should be a skill set parents grow into with the right tools, mentorship, and support.

❤️ Why This Matters Now

We are living in a time when disability rights, educational access, and school accountability are at a crossroads. Parents need advocates — and more importantly, they need to become advocates for their own children.

That’s why I’m here — not to speak over you, but to stand beside you. Not to take over, but to help you take the lead.

📣 Let’s Begin

Whether you're new to the IEP process or you're in the thick of it, this space is for you. My blog will share resources, real talk, legal insights, tips, and encouragement — all grounded in lived experience and professional knowledge.

to be the resource I wish I had when I was first trying to understand IEPs, legal rights, and how to navigate the school system with confidence.

Over the years, I’ve supported students with learning and behavioral disorders, as well as those with moderate to severe disabilities. I’ve worked on the inside of schools and sat across the table as a parent. I know both sides—and I bring that perspective to every family I support.

This blog is an extension of that mission. Here, I’ll be sharing:

• Tips to help you prepare for IEP meetings

• Breakdowns of special education laws like IDEA and 504

• Guides to help you understand your rights

• Encouragement and tools to help you become your child’s best advocate

You’re not alone—and you don’t have to figure this out by yourself. My goal is to empower you with knowledge and walk with you through each step of your journey.

Welcome. I’m so glad you’re here.

—Mary Beth Patton

M. Patton Special Education Advocacy and Consulting

💬 Have a question or a topic you’d like to see covered? Drop it in the comments or send me a message [here].

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