Former special education teacher launches advocacy services for families navigating school systems
When a child is diagnosed with a disability, parents can request an individualized education plan (IEP). But, when schools deny the request or are not following up on promises, Mindy Wilson can step in on the family's behalf.
When Mindy Wilson left her career as a special education teacher a year ago, she did so with urgency.
The weight of the education system was overwhelming, particularly when trying to advocate for her students from inside the limitations of the classroom. Wilson constantly saw parents getting trapped in what seemed like an endless maze of unanswered questions, and their children’s education suffered as a result.
“If I was struggling as a teacher to feel seen and heard in the classroom,” Wilson said. “I can’t imagine what it’s like to be a parent on the other side.”
Her empathy for the families drove Wilson to launch two new ventures: AdvoKids, a for-profit organization, and Xander’s Place, a nonprofit resource hub for families with children who have disabilities.
As a teacher, Wilson faced the same questions each year—“Where do I take my severely autistic child for a haircut? Which pediatrician works best with children like mine? What sports activities are available?”—but her real question was how to answer all the questions in a way that felt accessible and supportive.
She wanted to provide families a roadmap for success – and Xander’s Place was her first effort in doing so.
“We give them this beautiful resource,” Wilson shared, “It has phone numbers, addresses, specific people to call. We’ll even send connecting emails to help them follow through.”
This personalized approach has already helped over 45 families since its launch in August.
But Wilson quickly realized that her nonprofit model, Xander’s Place, couldn’t help everyone. Many of the families she worked with were middle-class—financially stable, but still in need of guidance when it came to their children’s education. For those families, the resources available through Xander’s Place didn’t encompass them, due to income restrictions and other factors. That’s where AdvoKids came in.
“Families who are seeking Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) for their children may need to ask the school for testing, evaluations, and special placements,” Wilson said. “I help them navigate that process.”
Here’s an example of how her advocacy works: One of her clients, a grandmother whose grandson has dyslexia, asked the school for a “504 Plan.”
A 504 Plan is a formal plan developed by schools that ensure a child with a disability receives accommodations that will allow them to succeed academically and participate fully in school.
“This particular school wasn’t receptive to her request, and instead ‘promised’ special attention in the classroom. But, there were no legalities behind it, and that wasn’t happening,” Wilson explained. “When you go with an IEP or 504, they’re federally funded, mandated by the state and the federal government, and the schools are accountable.”
She explained how most families understand that discrepancy, and end up settling for less than their child is eligible for.
“I believe that if every family with a special needs child had an advocate from the time they were three to the age of 18, the trajectory of their education would be drastically different,” she said. “But, typically families only get an advocate once there’s some level of trauma or damage done.”
Her goal is to prevent that trauma before it starts, by bringing awareness to the opportunities available to families in the school system – whether it’s through AdvoKids or Xander’s Place.
“In an ideal world, I’d have a Xander’s Place in every county,” she said, adding that there should be a hub of resources for school systems, teachers, and families in every district.
For now, Wilson is working toward that vision one family at a time, offering them the tools they need to navigate the complex system.
Whether through Xander’s Place or AdvoKids, her mission remains clear -– ensure that every family feels heard, supported, and equipped to advocate for their children’s future.
Learn more about Xander’s Place.
All photos courtesy of Devon Adrianne Photography.
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