Ysela Heim is a community leader and the founder of Special Education Advocacy Services, LLC. She became an Exceptional Student Consultant/Child Advocate shortly after her son was diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder and Epilepsy 20+ years ago. Her son and family have been her driving force to make this world a better place for the most amazing individuals and their families. She has worked with thousands of families to not only advocate on behalf of their children but also to provide support with the educational process, community resources, and successful inclusion. She has sat on various boards and chaired several events in South Florida including UM-NSU CARD, Autism Speaks, Autism Society of Broward County, ESE Advisory of Broward County and DPJCC to name a few.
Ysela believes in philanthropy and supporting while educating community partners. Ysela and team conduct trainings for many community businesses, organizations, and therapy offices as well as support many non for profit organizations by sponsoring several events a year. Ysela has helped create and develop recreational, therapeutic, educational and adult programs. She has collaborated with politicians on legislative changes in the State of Florida. Her main role has been ensuring that individual needs are being met while educating families on policy and procedures. Through her 20+ years of advocacy and community involvement, she has learned that creating positive and collaborative working relationships is imperative. This approach has proven to be most successful for student optimal growth and successful inclusion in the educational settings and in the community.
Special Education Advocacy Services was created to support families. We offer more than just consulting and advocacy, we provide year round training and support for our clients as part of what we do. We become family and we hope to have the same opportunity with you!
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Ysela believes in philanthropy and supporting while educating community partners. Ysela and team conduct trainings for many community businesses, organizations, and therapy offices as well as support many non for profit organizations by sponsoring several events a year. Ysela has helped create and develop recreational, therapeutic, educational and adult programs. She has collaborated with politicians on legislative changes in the State of Florida. Her main role has been ensuring that individual needs are being met while educating families on policy and procedures. Through her 20+ years of advocacy and community involvement, she has learned that creating positive and collaborative working relationships is imperative. This approach has proven to be most successful for student optimal growth and successful inclusion in the educational settings and in the community.
Special Education Advocacy Services was created to support families. We offer more than just consulting and advocacy, we provide year round training and support for our clients as part of what we do. We become family and we hope to have the same opportunity with you!
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Raquel Cicini, aka "Rocky," is a mom blessed with two uniquely amazing children, a wonderful son named Joey, and an incredibly unique daughter, Gaby, who entered this world destined to be challenged due to her premature birth at 25 weeks. As a result of her prematurity, Gaby developed a visual impairment which directly impacted her ability to process written material. At 2 1/2, she was diagnosed with non-verbal autism but found her voice when she entered the public education system through the Picture Exchange System (PECS). Rocky has always been passionate about helping the special needs community and their families. She believes everyone deserves to be treated with respect and understanding, regardless of their differences. She has been a valuable member of our advocacy team since 2015.
Rocky first became involved in autism advocacy when her daughter, was diagnosed. After she saw her family's struggles in navigating the education system. Rocky molded herself to be the best advocate for her daughter. This inspired her to join the Special Education Advocacy group and has been an integral part of the team. She bridges the educational gaps and has developed a great working relationship with families and their respective school teams. She witnessed firsthand the challenges families face in getting the support and services they need for their loved ones as both a parent and as an interim teacher. Rocky has dedicated herself to raising awareness about autism and advocating for the rights of those on the spectrum and related disabilities for 18+ years. She believes that working together can create a more inclusive and accepting society for everyone.
Her daughter's challenges are why she has experience in a wide range of modalities in autism, behavior, vision, and special education. Nearly everything she learned has come from navigating through Gaby’s challenges from preschool to post-secondary education and has been an asset to our team. Whether educating others about autism, advocating for better services, supports, or simply listening to those who need it; Rocky understands that no single approach is right for every child. Rocky is a Barry University graduate majoring in social work, serving others, and advocating. She has positively impacted the lives of so many of our families and has been instrumental in securing their successful educational path.
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Rocky first became involved in autism advocacy when her daughter, was diagnosed. After she saw her family's struggles in navigating the education system. Rocky molded herself to be the best advocate for her daughter. This inspired her to join the Special Education Advocacy group and has been an integral part of the team. She bridges the educational gaps and has developed a great working relationship with families and their respective school teams. She witnessed firsthand the challenges families face in getting the support and services they need for their loved ones as both a parent and as an interim teacher. Rocky has dedicated herself to raising awareness about autism and advocating for the rights of those on the spectrum and related disabilities for 18+ years. She believes that working together can create a more inclusive and accepting society for everyone.
Her daughter's challenges are why she has experience in a wide range of modalities in autism, behavior, vision, and special education. Nearly everything she learned has come from navigating through Gaby’s challenges from preschool to post-secondary education and has been an asset to our team. Whether educating others about autism, advocating for better services, supports, or simply listening to those who need it; Rocky understands that no single approach is right for every child. Rocky is a Barry University graduate majoring in social work, serving others, and advocating. She has positively impacted the lives of so many of our families and has been instrumental in securing their successful educational path.
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Alicia Palelis is an Educational Consultant and Advocate. She helps families and guardians navigate the special education process with Individualized Education Plans, Functional Behavior Assessments, Behavior Intervention Plans, and 504 plans. She is a sounding board and provides guidance while helping them know they are not alone on this journey. She offers training, resources, and support for the family to be sure that their child’s needs are continuing to be met to help them progress and flourish. As an educational consultant, she provides training, resources, and mentorship to educators and schools. Alicia also provides training and resources to businesses and the community to help improve their inclusive practices for employees and customers. Her goal is to help build the bridge between home, school, and the community to make a happy and healthy experience for all.
In addition to working with Special Education Advocacy Services, Alicia owns and consults with other companies in the community. She founded Special Needs Special Ways Consulting. She is a consultant for Autism Elements, NSU CARD (Center for Autism and Related Disabilities), and Neuro Consulting Solutions.
Alicia has her bachelor’s degree in early childhood special education and a master's degree in education from the University of Florida. She was an educator for 22 years in Broward County Public Schools. She started as a Preschool Teacher for students with disabilities, then became an Autism Coach where she opened 6 special programs for students with autism. Her last position was at the district level to support schools as a Behavior Program Specialist. She supported 13 schools and provided training for the district related to behavior, emotional regulation, Autism, Down Syndrome, Inclusion, Accommodations, Structured Teaching and many more.
Alicia is also a proud cancer survivor. She is an active supporter in the cancer community and openly shares her cancer journey and experiences to help others and provide hope. She is not only an educator, but a mother of 3 children, Ryan, Addison, and Matthew. Her experiences as a mom, cancer survivor and educator have helped her to become the educational consultant and advocate that she is- passionate, knowledgeable, and supportive.
In addition to working with Special Education Advocacy Services, Alicia owns and consults with other companies in the community. She founded Special Needs Special Ways Consulting. She is a consultant for Autism Elements, NSU CARD (Center for Autism and Related Disabilities), and Neuro Consulting Solutions.
Alicia has her bachelor’s degree in early childhood special education and a master's degree in education from the University of Florida. She was an educator for 22 years in Broward County Public Schools. She started as a Preschool Teacher for students with disabilities, then became an Autism Coach where she opened 6 special programs for students with autism. Her last position was at the district level to support schools as a Behavior Program Specialist. She supported 13 schools and provided training for the district related to behavior, emotional regulation, Autism, Down Syndrome, Inclusion, Accommodations, Structured Teaching and many more.
Alicia is also a proud cancer survivor. She is an active supporter in the cancer community and openly shares her cancer journey and experiences to help others and provide hope. She is not only an educator, but a mother of 3 children, Ryan, Addison, and Matthew. Her experiences as a mom, cancer survivor and educator have helped her to become the educational consultant and advocate that she is- passionate, knowledgeable, and supportive.