Alicia has worked in the public school system for 28+ years, working primarily with students with special needs. She has served as Special Education Team Leader and as Special Education Department Chairperson.
In addition, she is a recognized expert in the field of special education and has been a featured speaker on numerous webinars, including one that was hosted by The Houston Chronicle, which focused on how to get a 504 or IEP for your child.
Tucker Education Advocates provides professional special education consulting and advocacy services for families in San Diego. Navigating the special education process can be overwhelming, especially when dealing with IEPs, 504 Plans, evaluations, and school meetings. Our team works closely with parents to help them understand their rights, review educational records, and advocate for appropriate services and supports. Whether your child has autism, ADHD, a learning disability, speech impairment, or other special needs, we are committed to helping families make informed decisions. Our goal is to ensure every student receives the educational opportunities and individualized support they deserve to succeed.
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
Yes, Tucker Education Advocates offers ARD meeting support for students with various disabilities, such as autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, speech and language impairments, emotional and behavioral challenges, and developmental delays. We help families by reviewing evaluations, clarifying recommendations, and advocating for suitable goals, services, and accommodations. Our aim is to ensure that each student’s ARD meeting leads to meaningful, personalized educational support.
Navigating special education can be challenging, but Tucker Education Advocates is here to help families in San Diego understand the process and advocate effectively for their children. We provide guidance with IEPs, 504 Plans, evaluations, eligibility decisions, and school meetings, helping parents make informed decisions every step of the way. Our team reviews educational records, explains special education procedures, and supports families in securing appropriate services and accommodations. Whether your child has autism, ADHD, a learning disability, or other special needs, we are committed to ensuring their educational needs are recognized and addressed so they can achieve meaningful success in school.
Tucker Education Advocates is dedicated to helping families in San Diego obtain the necessary support for students with ADHD. We provide assistance with IEPs, 504 Plans, evaluations, and school meetings, ensuring that students receive the accommodations essential for their academic and social success.
Our team collaborates closely with parents to advocate for personalized solutions that address each student’s specific challenges, while fostering independence, confidence, and educational achievement.
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Testimonials
Kayla Graves2026-05-22Working with Ms. Gina is the best decision I could have made. She is knowledgeable, efficient, and truly goes to bat for her clients. I felt supported and well-represented throughout the entire process. Thank you, Ms. Gina, for your outstanding service!
Neya Ambalathunkal2026-05-22I cannot say enough great things about the support I received from Gina. Despite having very little notice before our meeting, she came fully prepared — she clearly put in extra time after hours to make sure we were ready. She presented herself with such calm and professionalism, and that made a huge difference for me going into a stressful situation. She advocated strongly for my daughter and helped guide the meeting toward the outcome we were hoping for. I felt supported every step of the way. If you’re a parent navigating the special education process, I highly recommend her services. We are so happy with the experience and grateful for everything she did for our family. Tucker Special Education Advocates are true to their word and have fair pricing as well. We are happy with our experience with them.
Ayana Hutchinson2026-05-21We used Alicia Tucker Special Education Advocates to help us navigate the often confusing special education system, and the experience was outstanding. Prior to working with them, we felt like we were being given the runaround by the school district and were making little to no progress advocating for our child. Working with this advocacy company made a huge difference. They simplified the process and ensured we fully understood our child’s rights every step of the way. Our advocate, Gina, was exceptional! She attended our ARD meeting and brought a level of knowledge and professionalism that truly elevated the conversation. She helped guide the meeting, ensured our concerns were addressed, and advocated effectively for our child’s needs. Most importantly, she helped us achieve the outcomes our child is entitled to. Having someone knowledgeable and confident in our corner made all the difference. We are incredibly grateful for their support and are happy to continue our journey with them as we move forward. We highly recommend their services — 10/10 experience.
A Google User2026-05-21Alicia Tucker is an absolutely incredible advocate. From the very beginning, she made me feel heard, supported, and confident that my child’s needs truly mattered. She is extremely knowledgeable about the school system, special education services, and student rights, and you better believe she will fight tirelessly to make sure your child will receive the support and accommodations they deserve! She goes into every meeting prepared, professional, and determined to advocate for what is best for your child!! I couldn’t recommend her and her team enough!!!! Thank you Alicia!!!! ❤️❤️
Dimitria King2026-05-20I cannot thank Gina Schmidt and the entire Tucker Education Advocates team enough for their support during this process for my son. Candace immediately reached out to schedule a consultation and Alicia personally contacted me to gather additional information to better support my son’s educational needs. The team moved quickly, reviewed records, communicated with the district, and prepared for my son’s ARD meeting right away. Throughout this stressful process, I felt heard, supported, and reassured every step of the way. Gina and her team have been professional, responsive, compassionate, and extremely knowledgeable. Their guidance helped me better understand my rights and advocate confidently for my son’s education and future. I am truly grateful and blessed to have Tucker Education Advocates supporting my family, and I would absolutely recommend them to any parent seeking an advocate for their child.
Wes Machalica2026-04-30I've had a great experience with Tucker Advocacy. I really appreciate the knowledge and professionalism that Ms. Tucker and her team bring to the table and it's encouraging to know that my student is receiving the best representation in her accommodation process. Huge thanks to Ms. Tucker and her team for all the support and for helping us through the ARDs!
Claudia Gonzalez Chavira2026-04-24I don’t know what I would have done without them ! More then a service they offer you a sincere concern for your needs! Gave me peace of mind the most important is there knowledge if the laws that protect our children! I don’t feel alone with the issues regarding my son’s rights!
Jeff Smith2026-04-23Very knowledgeable and very professional. Highly recommended!
kristen Padgett2026-03-03We are so incredibly grateful for Gina with Tucker Advocates. She went above and beyond advocating for our daughter and made us feel supported every step of the way. Gina is knowledgeable, professional, and truly understands special education. She came prepared, explained everything clearly, and made sure our concerns were heard and addressed. Because of her, we felt confident walking into meetings instead of overwhelmed. What stood out most was how much she genuinely cares. She fought for what was appropriate for our child and didn’t back down when things got tough. Having her on our side made all the difference. I highly recommend Gina and Tucker Advocates to any parent who needs strong, compassionate advocacy for their child. We couldn’t have done this without her!
Tucker Education Advocates delivers learning‑disability advocacy for San Diego families seeking support for students with dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, and other learning challenges. We guide parents through understanding evaluations, navigating the special‑education system, and securing the services, accommodations, and evidence‑based instruction their children need. Our team works to ensure each learner’s needs are accurately identified and addressed through individualized planning, helping students gain the skills, confidence, and academic success they deserve.
Tucker Education Advocates supports San Diego families in securing speech and language services for students experiencing communication challenges. We guide parents through evaluations, eligibility decisions, IEP development, and school meetings to ensure each student receives the services they’re entitled to. Our team advocates for individualized speech‑therapy goals, accommodations, and related services tailored to each child’s unique communication profile. By partnering closely with families, we work to strengthen communication skills, promote academic growth, and foster success both in and beyond the classroom.
Tucker Education Advocates provides expert support for families navigating IEPs and 504 Plans in San Diego. We help parents understand their child’s educational rights, review evaluations, prepare for school meetings, and advocate for appropriate accommodations and services. Whether your child needs specialized instruction through an IEP or accommodations through a 504 Plan, our team works to ensure their educational needs are properly addressed. Our goal is to help students access meaningful support and achieve success in the classroom.
Tucker Education Advocates provides professional advocacy and support for ARD and IEP meetings, helping families confidently navigate special education decisions. We review educational records, explain evaluation results, and assist parents in preparing for meetings to ensure their concerns are heard. Our team advocates for appropriate goals, services, accommodations, and placements based on each student’s unique needs. By supporting meaningful parent participation, we help families work collaboratively with school teams to secure the educational services and supports their child deserves.
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 $350 retainer fee and a completed Client Intake Form before work can begin.
We can also attend meetings with you for a flat rate of $700 which includes travel time.
Please note: If you need to file for due process, there will be an additional fee of $400 required before we can submit the paperwork on your behalf.
Tucker Education Advocates provides comprehensive special education advocacy services for families in San Diego. We support parents through every stage of the special education process, including evaluations, eligibility, IEP development, 504 Plans, and school meetings. Our team helps families understand their rights under special education law and ensures students receive appropriate services, accommodations, and supports. We work collaboratively with school teams to promote effective communication and positive educational outcomes for children with diverse learning needs.
Who We Help?
We advocate for individualized supports, structured interventions, and communication‑focused services that meet each learner’s unique needs.
We help secure accommodations, executive‑function supports, and behavior strategies that improve focus and school success.
We guide families in obtaining evidence‑based reading instruction and appropriate learning accommodations.
We support access to speech therapy, communication goals, and related services.
We ensure students receive targeted instruction, accommodations, and progress monitoring.
We advocate for behavior plans, counseling, and supports that promote positive school engagement.
Tucker Education Advocates partners with San Diego families to support students with a broad range of educational needs and disabilities. We work with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, dyslexia, speech and language impairments, specific learning disabilities, emotional and behavioral challenges, and developmental delays. Our team guides parents through evaluations, eligibility decisions, IEP development, 504 Plans, and school meetings, ensuring they feel informed and empowered throughout the process. We focus on securing appropriate services, accommodations, and individualized supports tailored to each student’s unique profile. Our mission is to equip families with the tools they need and help students make meaningful progress and experience success throughout their educational journey.
Tucker Education Advocates is dedicated to assisting parents in San Diego who are in need of educational advocacy and guidance for their children. We provide support to families navigating the special education system, including: IEP assistance School accommodations Evaluation guidance Many parents approach us feeling overwhelmed by meetings, reports, and school-related decisions. Our mission is to simplify this process while ensuring that their child's needs are adequately met. We aim to empower parents with knowledge, confidence, and effective advocacy, enabling them to actively participate in decisions that affect their child’s education and long-term academic success.
Families in San Diego choose Tucker Education Advocates because we provide personalized, family-centered support throughout the special education process. We understand that every child’s needs are unique, and we tailor our advocacy to help parents navigate IEPs, 504 Plans, evaluations, and school meetings with confidence.
Our team brings strong knowledge of special education laws and a collaborative approach that promotes productive communication with school districts. We have experience supporting students with a wide range of disabilities, including autism, ADHD, and learning disabilities. Above all, we focus on empowering parents so they can effectively advocate for their child’s educational success.
Tucker Education Advocates provides special education advocacy services throughout San Diego and surrounding communities. We proudly support families in nearby areas including Chula Vista, El Cajon, Escondido, Carlsbad, Oceanside, Vista, San Marcos, Poway, La Mesa, Santee, National City, Encinitas, and Del Mar, as well as additional surrounding cities in San Diego County. Our goal is to make high-quality IEP support, educational advocacy, and school accommodation guidance accessible to families across the region, ensuring students receive the services and support they need no matter where they attend school.
Tucker Education Advocates welcomes San Diego families to schedule a special education consultation focused on understanding and supporting their child’s unique learning needs. During this meeting, we review parent concerns, clarify the special education process, and offer guidance on IEPs, 504 Plans, evaluations, and school‑based accommodations. The consultation gives families a dedicated space to ask questions and gain clarity about their rights and options under special education law. Our aim is to ensure parents feel informed, supported, and confident as they advocate for their child. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward securing the educational support your child needs to thrive.
A special education advocate helps families in San Diego ensure children with autism receive appropriate support through IEPs, evaluations, and school accommodations. We assist with understanding eligibility, developing meaningful goals, and advocating for services such as speech therapy, behavior support, and social skills instruction. Our goal is to ensure each child’s unique needs are met for academic and social success.
Yes, Alicia Tucker can attend IEP meetings virtually with families of children with autism in San Diego. Tucker Education Advocates provides remote support for IEP and ARD meetings, allowing families to have experienced advocacy regardless of location. During virtual participation, we help review evaluations, clarify recommendations, support goal development, and ensure appropriate accommodations and services are discussed for the student. Our goal is to ensure families feel confident and supported throughout the process while working collaboratively with the school team to meet the unique needs of children with autism.
To ensure your child with an intellectual disability receives an appropriate education in San Diego schools, stay actively involved in the IEP process and review evaluations carefully. Make sure IEP goals, services, and school accommodations are individualized and measurable. Attend meetings prepared with questions about progress, instruction, and support services. You may also request additional evaluations and seek special education advocacy support if needed.
If your child is experiencing emotional and behavioral challenges at school in San Diego, Tucker Education Advocates can help by reviewing evaluations, behavior plans, and educational records. We assist families in advocating for appropriate supports, accommodations, counseling services, and behavioral interventions through the IEP or 504 process. Our goal is to help students receive the services they need to succeed academically, socially, and emotionally.
If your child is facing disciplinary consequences at school in San Diego, it is important to advocate for appropriate behavior supports that address the underlying causes of their behavior. Parents can request a Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA), Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP), counseling services, and other supports through the IEP process. Review discipline records, evaluation data, and behavior documentation to ensure decisions are based on your child’s needs. Tucker Education Advocates can help families understand their rights, participate in meetings, and advocate for proactive interventions that support positive behavior and educational success rather than relying solely on disciplinary measures.
A diagnosis of Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) does not automatically qualify a student for special education in San Diego. However, when a child’s behaviors significantly interfere with learning or functioning at school, they may qualify under Emotional Disturbance or another relevant eligibility category. Schools must conduct comprehensive evaluations to determine whether specialized instruction or related services are needed. If a student is found eligible, supports may include behavior intervention plans, counseling, accommodations, and an IEP tailored to the child’s needs. Tucker Education Advocates assists families in navigating each step of this process and ensuring their child receives appropriate support.
Yes, a student with ADHD in San Diego may qualify for either an IEP or a 504 Plan depending on how the condition impacts their learning. If ADHD significantly affects academic performance, behavior, or progress, the student may qualify for an IEP under Other Health Impairment. If needs are less intensive, a 504 Plan can provide accommodations to support access to learning.
A child may qualify under Other Health Impairment (OHI) in San Diego schools if a medical condition, such as ADHD or another health issue, significantly affects alertness, strength, or learning. Schools review evaluations, medical documentation, and academic impact to determine eligibility. If the condition limits educational performance, the child may qualify for an IEP with specialized instruction, accommodations, and support.
Signs a child may qualify for Specific Learning Disability (SLD) services in San Diego include persistent struggles with reading, writing, math, or processing information despite targeted interventions. Common indicators include difficulty decoding words, poor reading comprehension, weak spelling, slow work completion, and inconsistent academic performance. Schools evaluate data, assessments, and response to intervention to determine eligibility for specialized instruction and an IEP.
Yes, Tucker Education Advocates can attend IEP and 504 Plan meetings virtually with families throughout San Diego County. Through Tucker Education Advocates, we provide remote advocacy support so families can access experienced guidance regardless of location. We communicate via zoom so that we can assist in reviewing evaluations, understanding eligibility decisions, and advocating for appropriate goals, accommodations, and services prior to the IEP/504 meeting. During meetings, we help ensure parents feel confident, informed, and supported while collaborating with school teams to develop meaningful plans that address each child’s unique educational needs and promote success.
Before our Zoom meeting, we kindly request that you email us any recent evaluations, IEP or 504 Plan documents, progress reports, report cards, behavior data, and communications from teachers. If you have them, please also attach any medical or psychological reports. Additionally, prepare a list of questions outlining your concerns and goals for your child. This information will assist our advocates in gaining a better understanding of your child’s needs and will enable us to offer more effective guidance during the consultation.
Yes,Tucker Education Advocates provides ARD meeting support for students with a wide range of disabilities, including autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, speech and language impairments, emotional and behavioral challenges, and developmental delays. We assist families in reviewing evaluations, understanding recommendations, and advocating for appropriate goals, services, and accommodations. Our goal is to ensure each student’s ARD meeting results in meaningful, individualized educational support.
