Mrs. Tucker has worked in the public school system for 27 years, working primarily with students with special needs. She has served as Special Education Team Leader and as Special Education Department Chairperson.
An Advocate for Special Needs in Madisonville, Texas, supports families navigating educational and legal systems to ensure children with disabilities receive appropriate services. They assist with IEPs, 504 Plans, and school meetings, advocating for necessary accommodations and resources. The goal is to empower families and promote student success.
Services
Autism, a neurological condition, is characterized by differences in social communication and interaction, alongside restricted interests and repetitive behaviors.
Intellectual disability is a condition characterized by limitations in cognitive functioning and adaptive behaviors, impacting an individual's everyday life and learning abilities.
Emotional disturbance refers to a condition in which an individual exhibits inappropriate behaviors, emotions, or both, leading to difficulties in social interactions and academic performance.
Children with ODD often exhibit stubbornness, argumentativeness, and a tendency to deliberately provoke others, leading to significant impairment in social, academic, and familial functioning.
Advocates emphasize the importance of understanding ADHD as a unique neurological variation rather than a flaw, promoting acceptance, support, and accommodations for individuals with ADHD to thrive.
OHI is an engaging platform offering insightful content tailored to advocate interests, fostering community and empowerment through knowledge sharing.
A specific learning disability is a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting the brain's ability to receive, process, analyze, or store information. It can manifest in difficulties with reading, writing, math, or other cognitive processes despite average or above-average intelligence
A speech impairment refers to any condition that affects a person's ability to produce sounds correctly or fluently, or to use their vocal cords, tongue, lips, or other speech-related structures effectively.
A few topics Alicia can present include: “How to help de-escalate a child with intense behaviors”, “How to utilize a Safe Place within the classroom”, “Using visuals effectively”, “Documentation and collecting data on IEP goals and behaviors” and “Building rapport with sensitive and students with challenging behaviors”. She can also tailor presentations to address specific needs of the staff
An Autism Advocate in Madisonville, Texas, supports families of children with autism by helping them navigate the educational system and secure necessary services. They work closely with parents, teachers, and specialists to develop tailored strategies, such as Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) or 504 Plans, to address the child’s specific needs. Advocates ensure that children with autism receive appropriate accommodations, therapies, and supports that promote academic, social, and emotional growth. They also provide guidance in attending meetings, understanding legal rights, and resolving disputes. The advocate’s goal is to empower families and ensure children with autism have the tools they need to succeed.
In Madisonville, Texas, children with Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) can receive support through various services aimed at improving behavior and fostering positive interactions. Advocates and specialists work with families to create effective strategies that address defiant, disruptive, or aggressive behaviors. This may include behavior therapy, social skills training, and individualized interventions to help children develop better coping mechanisms and communication. Schools may implement tailored plans, such as Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs), to support students with ODD. Advocates guide families through the process, ensuring they access appropriate resources, collaborate with educators, and help children thrive academically and socially.
Testimonials
Ninfa Segundo2025-10-06This is the one you want in your corner and advocating for your child or loved one . We will continue to use her for now on when it comes to our little one ❤️
Scarlett Coston2025-10-06Very communicative and supportive. And create a collaborative team that’s main goal is to support your student.
Laura Pauley Rich2025-10-01We are beyond grateful for Gina’s support as our special education advocate. She not only orchestrated our son's enrollment plan with the school but also came up with the idea of a graduated return-to-school schedule that truly meets his needs. Gina carried the mental and emotional load of navigating the district on our behalf, which allowed us to focus on being parents instead of constantly battling red tape. Her expertise, compassion, and persistence have made all the difference for our family—we couldn’t have done this without her.
Billy Rawls2025-10-01She was so professional and knowledgeable of every topic that was discussed in the ARD. She showed a caring and strong side when it came down to my child rights. Mrs. Tucker is absolutely the best!!
Renee Verhagen2025-09-28Sunnye is amazing. She is wonderful to work with, extremely knowledgeable, kind and professional. She helped us get the services we desperately needed for our daughter. I highly recommend Sunnye.
Ashlee2025-09-25Alicia and her team are amazing I was having a lot of issues with my daughters school not following her iep and I was lost and overwhelmed Alicia has helped so much the school is def on there toes now and I think with Alicia and her teams continued help we will get to a place where I can rest and not be so stressed trying to research the laws and go back and forth with the school me and my daughter are so glad we found Alicia!
M H2025-09-23I cannot begin to state how impressed I am with our advocate, Sunnye Garza! She was phenomenal from start to finish, taking time to understand our child, their needs, and the opportunities for the services they needed to be successful at school. Sunnye really focused on our child's struggles, and showed genuine empathy. You can really tell that Sunnye is passionate about advocating, and it shows through her work! Overall, you absolutely cannot go wrong asking for Sunnye - she will take the time to understand the situation, assist you with navigating the schools, the IEP process, and ensure that your child is receiving the services he or she needs! She is our go-to lady for all of our child's needs; I only wish I'd found her sooner! I Highly Recommend Sunnye, and THANKS A MILLION!!!
Brandy Ringo2025-08-12If I could give Sunnye more than 5 stars, I would a thousand times over. From the moment we connected she was a steady source of support, guidance, and strength for me during one of the most challenging fights of my life, securing specific accommodations, including but not limited to a one-on-one para my 5-year-old son, who has level three autism, desperately needed but our school district kept pushing against. Sunny was not just knowledgeable and skilled, she was patient with my emotions, my tears, and my fears. She listened without judgment, encouraged me when I felt defeated, and fought alongside me every step of the way. She understood not just the legal side but also the emotional weight a parent carries when advocating for their child. Because of her dedication and expertise, my son is now getting the support he needs to be safe, successful, and truly seen at school. There are not enough stars, words, or thank-yous to express the gratitude I feel. Sunny is not just an advocate, she is a blessing, and I will forever be thankful for the light she brought into this battle.
Amanda beshears2025-05-24Sunnye is extremely knowledgeable and was very willing to listen and help work through all the details of my child’s case. She was very helpful in the ARD when the school was not cooperative.
Advocates for special needs in Madisonville, Texas, provide essential services to families navigating the educational and legal systems. They assist with developing and reviewing Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), 504 Plans, and behavior intervention plans to ensure that children with disabilities receive appropriate accommodations and services. Advocates attend ARD meetings, helping parents understand their child’s rights and advocating for necessary support. They also offer guidance on securing additional resources, such as speech or occupational therapy. Advocates mediate disputes between parents and schools, ensuring that children’s needs are met and promoting a successful educational experience tailored to their unique challenges.
In Madisonville, Texas, families with autism can access various local resources to support their children. The Madisonville Independent School District offers special education services, including Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) tailored for students with autism. Local healthcare providers and therapists may offer speech, occupational, and behavioral therapy. Parent support groups and advocacy organizations, such as the Texas Parent to Parent, provide valuable information, community connections, and assistance navigating the education system. Additionally, local clinics and regional centers may offer diagnostic assessments and intervention programs. These resources help families secure the services needed to promote the development and success of children with autism.
The time it takes to see improvements when seeking help for Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) in Madisonville, Texas, varies based on the severity of the condition, the interventions used, and the child’s engagement in treatment. Typically, parents may start noticing small changes within a few weeks to a few months, especially if behavioral therapy and consistent interventions, such as behavior modification strategies, are implemented. However, more significant improvements often take longer, ranging from 6 months to a year. Ongoing collaboration between parents, educators, and mental health professionals is essential for achieving lasting positive outcomes for children with ODD.
Steps to connect with Us
We offer a complimentary 30-minute consultation. During this time, we will address your concerns regarding the current situation and explore potential options for the next steps.
If we both agree to move forward at the end of our conversation, We will provide you with a Consent to Authorize Advocacy and Release of Educational Information to sign and send along with a letter to the school notifying them that you have engaged our services.
We will send you a questionnaire to write all of your concerns regarding the current situation, your goals and reasons for seeking our services, as well as your experiences with your child and the district.
Review of Records involves a comprehensive review of all documents, including past and current evaluations, IEPs, and relevant academic and medical records as well as the questionnaire detailing your concerns.
The advocacy plan will be tailored to your student and specific situation and may include the following:
We require a $200 retainer fee and a completed Client Intake Form before work can begin.
We can also attend meetings with you for a flat rate of $500 which includes travel time.
Please note: If you need to file for due process, there will be an additional fee of $300 required before we can submit the paperwork on your behalf.
