Karen Robinson

Special Education Advocate

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Karen Robinson is a certified Special Education Advocate. Karen can assist parents/guardians as they navigate their way through IEP and IPRC meetings. She can also provide guidance if they have to deal with school administrators regarding behavioural and/or bullying issues at school. Karen offers a variety of services such as advocacy training, and support at school meetings and appeals.

Her objective is to develop her clients into informed, proactive advocates for their children's educational needs. Her clients are empowered by knowing current Education and Human Rights legislation that pertains to their children's rights and special education needs. They are also empowered by having the skills and tools that enable them to articulate their children's needs to school staff and school board administrators in a way that is both assertive and collaborative.

School-aged clients of Progressive Steps Training and Consultation Inc. often need educational accommodations and additional services and support at school. Karen can assist parents/guardians as they navigate their way through IEP and IPRC meetings. She can also provide guidance if they have to deal with school administrators regarding behavioural and/or bullying issues at school. Karen offers a variety of services such as advocacy training, and support at school meetings and appeals.

Karen enjoys living a healthy lifestyle, going on cruises, historical romance novels and movies, home DIY projects and her 4 beautiful, smart, talented grandchildren.

Experience

• 35+ years navigating and learning about the special education system

• 25+ years of navigating and learning about autism spectrum disorder (ASD)

• 20+ years providing advocacy training and consultation

• Has provided training, consultation and support to hundreds of families

• Has provided advocacy training workshops all over Ontario

• Mother of 4 children, two of whom has required special education services at both public and catholic schools

• Mother of child with severe autism

• Sat on the Board of Directors of the Ontario Association of Education Advocates

• Served on the Chapter Leadership Council of Autism Ontario - Durham Region for three years.

• Over 20 years of office administration in a variety of corporations

Education & Training

• 40-hour Registered Behaviour Technician coursework completed

• Advocacy training and certification

• Knowledge of the Education Act: specifically Reg. 181/98, PPM 140, IEP, IPRCs and the appeal process, Ontario Human Rights, Ontario Special Education Tribunals

• A variety of business/accounting certifications and designations

• Worker Health and Safety Awareness 

• First Aid/CPR certified