Decoding Educational Support: Understanding IEPs vs. 504s
This webinar will provide parents, caregivers, and professionals with the information they need to make informed decisions about their child’s or client’s education.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify key differences between IEPs and 504 Plans
- Understand legal frameworks and rights and how to work within those
- Assess student needs and develop individualized accommodations
- Identify the roles of IEP team members and collaborate effectively
- Gather resources to support and advocate for student needs
- Address challenges students face and ensure equity
About Instructor
Dr. Dwyer has worked with children and their families for over 25 years in various settings. She began her career as a home-based ABA therapist, providing contracted services to children and adolescents. Her interest and experience in behavior intervention led her to intern at WJCS-KICS, a school based community mental health clinic, where she provided therapeutic support, crisis intervention, individual and group counseling to at-risk youth and their families. Dr. Dwyer extended this experience in her role as a therapeutic counselor for the WJCS-CLUSTER summer program. She also spent many years volunteering as a counselor at Camp Viva, a retreat experience for individuals and families affected by HIV/AIDS.
Following her graduation from John Jay College, Dr. Dwyer worked as a self-contained special education teacher for the NYC Public Schools District 75 program, where she instructed middle school children with emotional and behavioral challenges. She continued in this role while pursuing her doctoral training at Hofstra, eventually leaving the teaching profession to complete a school based internship in the Yonkers Public Schools. During her school placement, Dr. Dwyer received additional crisis management training for first responders, co-wrote and published an article on peer support in law enforcement and completed her dissertation on Secondary Traumatic Stress Disorder in Police Wives. She completed a clinical internship at Long Island Counseling Center, providing therapy to children, adolescents and adults. Dr. Dwyer also conducted forensic evaluations for adolescents as part of the Family Court Assessment Program, at the Bethpage Diagnostic Center. Following her graduation from Hofstra, Dr. Dwyer worked in a state run special acts school and obtained a leave replacement as a district-wide evaluator, ultimately accepting a permanent position as a School Psychologist in a Westchester County School District.
Dr. Dwyer has worked as a school psychologist since 2004. She has extensive experience conducting school based evaluations for children from 24 months to 24 years of age. Dr. Dwyer is well versed in the identification of Developmental Disorders, including Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Speech and Language Disorders, Dyslexia,
Dysgraphia and Specific Learning Disorders. Dr. Dwyer also conducts neuropsychological evaluations for school based eligibility as well as eligibility for OPWDD services. She has vast experience assessing twice exceptional students and students with emotional and behavioral dysregulation. In addition to evaluating students for special education services, Dr. Dwyer evaluated many high performing and gifted students for entrance into independent schools through Prep for Prep and ERB. She served as an itinerant chairperson for CPSE, CSE and 504 meetings and has experience testifying in impartial hearings.
Dr. Dwyer is committed to providing clients with a positive and supportive testing experience. She makes an effort to identify examinee strengths and vulnerabilities while also considering cultural and environmental factors that impact performance. Dr. Dwyer is eager to collaborate with families to develop appropriate and effective interventions that help individuals reach their full potential.
