Gina Federico M Ed, CAGS,LEP
About Me
Diligent, Passionate, Knowledgeable...
"For Your Child"
I am a Special Educational Advocate, Licensed Educational Psychologist in MA, and a Licensed School Psychologist in NH and MA. I hold a Master’s degree in Educational Studies and Counseling (M Ed.) and Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies (CAGS) in School Psychology from Rivier University, and a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice and Psychology from University of Massachusetts. I have several years of experience conducting psycho-educational assessements and providing counseling services for children and adolescent from my work in private practice and the public school system. I have a specialized focus in the assessment and treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders and ADHD.
My passion for Special Education Advocacy developed from my experiences with my now adult son who was diagnosed with neurological disorders, learning disabilities, physical impairments and behavioral disorders at age 2. Following his diagnoses, I felt like I entered this unbeknownst "foreign" world of special needs. As a single mother, while also raising another child, running a business, and trying to "hold down the fort" on a daily basis, my weekly regime consisted of seeing specialists - occupational and speech therapists, neurologists, psychologists, psychiatrics, tutors, life coachs, doctors, etc. while trying to educate myself on all the "labels" given. It was a constant worry -"Is my son receiving the right help? How do I even know? Am I doing enough?"
As a parent, I empathize and understand your worry- and exhaustion! It’s overwhelming trying to understand a diagnosis, know the proper services and specialists your child needs, trust that your child is receiving the right help, measure progress, understand 504's, IEP's, Special Education laws, grades, teacher jargon in school meetings, etc.
My first experience with the public school system was when my son was in Kindergarten. I was told that he did not qualify for services based on his testing and that there was not enough "discrepancy" between his scores. In 1st grade, during a parent teacher conference I was told he would never make it in 2nd grade unless he got formal help. I requested a school meeting and was told by the principle that my son did not qualify for services because he was not on medication for ADHD and therefore I was not taking "preventative measures" to help him be successful academically. His classroom teacher denied that she had spoken her concerns to me and I remember as clear as day she looked straight at me, took a sip of her coffee, and stated "I do not recall saying your son struggles." I left feeling blindsided and confused. Luckily, I knew a special education attorney. She attended another school meeting and after to my surprise the same principle stated "Of course he's going to receive services, We told Gina that he qualifies for an IEP solely on his ADHD." After that experience I realized the importance of knowing special education law. My son faced many academic, behavioral and social challenges throughout his schooling. When he was 15, he required specialized services within a therapeutic residential mileau setting. After six months of advocating in multiple meetings with school officials with the help of a special education attorney and psychologist I succeeded in the out- of- district placement dispute with the school system.
As a trained Special Educational Advocate I have been working with families and foster families for over 15 years. In 2009, I decided to become a School Psychologist because I had a strong interest in further understanding an individual's strengths and weaknesses and how they will learn. I feel my unique, combined skills as a special needs parent, school psychologist, and special education advocate has allowed me to provide quality advocacy services throughout each aspect of the special education process while always keeping your child’s unique abilities and educational needs at the forefront of my mission. Not only do I understand the complexities of special education policies, procedures and law on a personal and professional level, but I am knowledgeable in the area of testing. I have a vast understanding of the type of testing that may be needed beyond a psycho-educational evaluation which is important when advocating for your child and I am able to intricately interpret results and provide remedial, evidence based recommendations.