Michelle Ward

I’ve been in your shoes.

I know that feeling of isolation and fear. I know that feeling of being shell-shocked after receiving the news: My kid has ADHD or a learning disability. Now, what do I do? Then begins the journey of making sense of evaluations. Which ones are important for my child and what do they mean? Next is the planning phase, 504s or IEPs. What’s the difference, and which one do we need? When your head is spinning and you want to bury it under your pillow and hide from reality, I’m here.

I’m here to show you…

You are not alone.
There is a way forward.

I’m a passionate mom of two kids with learning disabilities and ADHD, who was able to push past the fear, build my community, find expert resources, and start talking publicly about my experience. Now, I’m a parent advocate paying it forward as a partner to other families in need on their journey. As a support group leader for families navigating learning disabilities and ADHD, over the past decade I have helped hundreds of kids who are coping with their learning differences in school and at home. 

With years of working in the PR field, I have decades of experience in team building, media relations, and pitch strategy. I am an expert in influencing, positioning, promoting, community relations, and marketing. After years of spearheading communications, writing blog posts, and working with renowned experts at Understood.org, I’m taking this work to the next level to artfully support families to tell a new story for their kids and get them what they need. I’ve used these skills to get my kids exactly what they need, and I’ve had the pleasure of watching them thrive. 

As a member of the National Center of Learning Disabilities (NCLD), Council of Parent Attorneys & Advocates (COPAA), and SPAN New Jersey, I’ve trained with experts and dedicated countless hours to supporting others within my community. And now I want to put my expertise to work for you, your family, and your child.

Join me as we continue to shape and scale a community to help break down the barriers in education and create a new unique path to success for your child.

Affiliations

Member, Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA) website 
2021 — present

Member, St. Joseph’s Parent Leadership Council website
2022 — 2023

Member, New Jersey Interdisciplinary Child Study Group website
2022 — present

Member, Public Relations Society of America website
2017— present

Additional Certifications

Wrightslaw Special Education Law and Advocacy Training
Winter 2021

SPAN Parent Advocacy Network, Parent Resource Training (SRP) website
Summer 2022

Additional Certifications - cont.

Council of Parent Attorneys & Advocates (COPAA) SEAT 3.0 The Business of Special Education Advocacy website
Summer 2022

COPAA SEAT 2.0 Year-long Intensive Special Education Advocacy Training
October 2022 through May 2023 

Nonprofit / Volunteer Work

Founder, St. Rose of Lima Academy Parent Support Group
2015 — 2019

Mentor, Westside High School, Newark NJ
2018 — 2020

SEEDS — NJ website
Young Scholars Program Volunteer
2021 - Present

Council of Parent Attorneys & Advocates (COPAA) SEAT 3.0 The Business of Special Education Advocacy website
Summer 2022

COPAA SEAT 2.0 Year-long Intensive Special Education Advocacy Training
October 2022 through May 2023 

Nonprofit / Volunteer Work

Founder, St. Rose of Lima Academy Parent Support Group
2015 — 2019

Mentor, Westside High School, Newark NJ
2018 — 2020

SEEDS — NJ website
Young Scholars Program Volunteer
2021 - Present

Danielle cares deeply about the unique and sometimes complicated relationship between parent, teacher, and child and is taking this work to the next level by helping parents communicate better and tell a new story for their kids so that they can thrive.

She is a voracious history buff, and loves reading books, practicing yoga, and traveling. She currently lives in Maplewood, NJ with her family and their miniature schnauzer Sparty.