ElevateU serves Denver Metro families who know their child needs more than a generic plan. Ashley Vacante Ed.D., NCSP brings doctorate-level specialization and years inside Denver’s own public and private schools — so your family gets a step-by-step plan built around your child, not a checklist built for everyone.
Tired of Leaving IEP Meetings With More Questions Than Answers?
You’re doing everything right — attending every meeting, asking questions, pushing back. But the school keeps using terms you don’t fully understand, the plan doesn’t seem to match what you see at home, and you’re not sure your child is actually getting what they need.
- “The school keeps saying my child is fine — but I know something is off.” — We help identify what’s actually going on, so you walk in with clarity instead of doubt.
- “I don’t understand half of what’s in the IEP — 504, ALP, MTSS, RTI — what does any of it mean for my kid?” — We break down every term and translate it into a real plan you can act on.
- “Every specialist we’ve seen gives us a piece of the puzzle, but nobody is putting it together.” — Our team-integrated model brings family, school staff, and support providers into one coordinated approach.
- “I feel like I’m being handed a cookie-cutter plan that could apply to any child.” — Every plan we build is individualized to your child — their learning style, their strengths, and their specific academic and social-emotional needs.
Getting Started Is Simple
Navigating the academic and social-emotional needs of your child can feel overwhelming. We made the first step easy.
Step 1: Reach out to schedule a consultation. Call us at (303) 691-2020 or fill out the contact form — it takes under two minutes, and there’s no pressure or obligation.
Step 2: We listen first, then build a plan. Ashley reviews your child’s situation, asks the right questions, and maps out the most appropriate path forward — individualized to your child, not a template.
Step 3: You leave with a clear, step-by-step plan. You walk away knowing exactly what your child needs, what the school is responsible for, and what your next move is — with ElevateU alongside you every step of the way.
The Support Denver Families Have Been Searching For
Whether you’re trying to understand a document the school handed you or figure out why your child isn’t getting the support they need, ElevateU offers individualized consultation built around your child’s academic and social-emotional needs.
Understanding Your Child’s Learning Profile
Many parents sense that their child learns differently, but don’t yet have the language or documentation to act on it. We help you understand how your child processes information, where their strengths are, and what accommodations or supports are most appropriate. You leave with a clear picture of your child’s learning style and a vocabulary to advocate for them confidently.
Decoding School Plans — IEP, 504, ALP, MTSS, and More
The school sends home a document full of acronyms and legal language, and you’re expected to sign it. We walk through every section of your child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP), 504 Plan, Advanced Learning Plan (ALP), Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), or Response to Intervention (RTI) plan with you in plain language. You leave knowing exactly what each piece means for your child’s day-to-day experience at school.
At-Home Strategies That Actually Work
School support matters — but the hours at home matter just as much. We identify specific, research-backed strategies you can use at home to support your child’s learning differences and behavioral needs. You leave with practical tools, not vague advice — approaches tailored to how your child responds and what they actually need from you.
Behavioral Support and Communication Coaching
When a child’s behavior is communicating a need, the response matters. We help parents understand what their child’s behavior is telling them and how to respond in ways that build connection and reduce conflict. You leave with a clear framework for supporting your child — one that reduces frustration for the whole family.
Team-Integrated Planning Across School and Home
Your child’s success depends on everyone working from the same plan. We coordinate with school staff, tutors, coaches, and other support providers to make sure the approach is consistent across every environment your child is in. You leave with a unified team — not a collection of separate professionals each doing their own thing.
Why Denver Families Choose ElevateU for IEP Consulting
Most educational consultants are generalists. Ashley Vacante Ed.D., NCSP is not. Her doctorate from the University of Denver specialized specifically in the identification, academic, and social-emotional needs of gifted and talented students — a level of focused expertise that is rare in Denver and rarer still at the consulting level.
Ashley didn’t just study Denver’s school systems — she worked inside them. Her direct experience in Denver Metro public and private schools gives her a systems-level understanding of how schools operate, what they’re required to provide, and where families often get less than their child deserves. That insider perspective is something no amount of advocacy training can replicate.
Credentials matter here. Ashley holds the Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) designation through the National Association of School Psychology — one of the most rigorous credentials in the field. She brings extensive experience with cognitive, achievement, and behavioral assessments across the full developmental range, from preschool through college age.
ElevateU’s model is built around the whole child — not just the paperwork. The team-integrated approach means Ashley works alongside your family, your child’s school staff, and any other support providers in your child’s life to build a plan that holds together across every environment. This is not a one-appointment, hand-you-a-report practice.
Common Questions About IEP Consulting in Denver
What does an IEP consultant actually do — and how is that different from what the school provides?
The school’s team writes the IEP based on their assessments and resources. An IEP consultant like Ashley reviews that plan independently, helps you understand what it means for your child specifically, and identifies whether the supports in place are the most appropriate fit — then helps you navigate next steps if they’re not.
How much does IEP consulting cost in Denver?
Consultation fees vary based on the scope of support needed. Most Denver families working with independent educational consultants invest between $100–$200 per session for focused consultation, with package options available for ongoing support. Contact us directly for a clear picture of what your situation would involve.
My child has never been tested — where do we even start?
Start with a consultation. Ashley will listen to what you’re seeing, ask the right questions, and help you understand what type of support or educational testing makes the most sense for your child’s needs. You don’t need a diagnosis or a prior evaluation to reach out.
Can you help us even if the school says our child doesn’t qualify for services?
Yes. A school’s determination that a child doesn’t qualify is not always the final word. Ashley can review the evaluation, help you understand your rights under IDEA and Section 504, and help you identify whether additional steps — including an independent educational evaluation — make sense for your child.
My child is gifted — do they still qualify for an IEP or 504 Plan?
Yes — and this is one of the most misunderstood areas in Colorado education. Gifted students, and especially twice exceptional (2e) students who are both gifted and have a learning difference or ADHD, often have needs that go unaddressed because their strengths mask their challenges. Ashley’s doctoral specialization is specifically in this population — it’s not a side note, it’s the focus.
Do you work with the school directly, or just with families?
Both. ElevateU’s team-integrated model includes direct collaboration with school staff, teachers, and other support providers when appropriate. The goal is consistency across every environment your child is in — home, school, and beyond.
How long does the process take?
A focused consultation can happen in a single session. Families who need ongoing support — through an IEP review process, a school transition, or a full team-coordination plan — typically work with Ashley over several weeks. After your first conversation, you’ll have a clear picture of what your situation involves and how long it will take.
Ready to Get Clarity on What Your Child Actually Needs?
You’ve been navigating this long enough on your own. In your first conversation with Ashley, you’ll start to understand exactly what your child’s needs are, what the school is responsible for providing, and what a real plan looks like — step by step. No jargon. No pressure. Just clarity.
At ElevateU, we provide a supportive environment to help students and their families find the academic and social-emotional help they have been searching for.