Even if you are a seasoned professional in your day job, attending an IEP meeting as a parent can be an intimidating process.  Often, the deck is stacked against you because you are not aware of your basic rights.  And the one who suffers is your child.  This sort of thing routinely occurred to us in two separate elementary school districts and one high school district.  And then, Pam Labellarte came into our lives.  She met with us prior to meetings so that we actually were able to be full participants in planning our son's IEP and made sure that the district provided him a learning environment.  Once, when I had been told by a school district that something our son needed was not routinely provided, Pam told me "So?  That's why it's called an individual education plan."  Between meetings, she is a wonderful counselor, coach and friend.  You should never attend an IEP meeting without an advocate on your child's side seated next to you and Pam Labellarte is simply one of the best. 

Margaret A., parent