Elissa Henkin, M.A.

“Special education advocacy has not only been my profession for the past 25 years, it has–and always will be–my great passion. I have had the privilege of observing firsthand what the right placement and services can mean for a student’s growth and development, and I strive for this outcome for every one of my clients. I have witnessed quite an evolution of special education placements and services over time. With this experience, I know how to differentiate between those that can improve outcomes for students and those that do not. Irrespective of ever-shrinking school district resources, school districts remain obligated to provide special education placements and services that are designed to meet the unique and individual needs of each student and that is the standard I demand for my clients. My entire career has been focused in the field of disability-related advocacy. Early in my career, I provided systems and individual advocacy for adults with physical disabilities seeking to live independently, through the Independent Living Center of Southern California. In my next position as a Community Program Specialist for Developmental Disabilities Area Board 10, I worked as a legislative advocate–promoting the legal, civil, and service rights of persons with developmental disabilities in Los Angeles County. From that platform, I shifted my career focus to my current day special education advocacy practice. My education includes a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles and a Masters Degree in Speech Communication from California State University, Northridge as well as a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Southern California. I look forward to assisting you toward your goal of obtaining an appropriate school placement and services for your child.”