Testimonials

As a single mother screaming out to the school for support for my child since 2nd grade, I fought for 2 years with friends by my side and a repetitive refusal for the appropriate support my child needed right through middle school. We ended up needing to go the further step by filing for due process hearing, with no education in this field or the legal field.

It was a very intense process that caused a significant amount of unnecessary stress on my family and friends. I thankfully came across the Advocate for Special Education right as the Office was established. Kristen jumped right in and took us under her wing and gave us the education, support and guidance we needed. I believe Kristen's role as our advocate is part of what made it possible for my child to receive the support needed. She understood it all and was able to see the whole picture clearly and present my position more clearly than I ever could have on my own. The state of NH ordered the district to provide what I had been seeking for so many years. I believe the Office of the Advocate for Special Education is an extraordinary addition for the parents of children who need “more.” The children and families of NH need more people like Advocate Mansharamani ensuring they receive the supports rightfully available for children with disabilities.

- Parent of Middle School Student

Thank you so much for all your help with my child’s Due Process and, although not your job, advising me on all the peripheral obstacles thrown in our way. We faced so much along the path to getting help, all of which felt designed to make us give up or to sever us from the support of the Office of ASE but you never wavered as our Advocate. We achieved the outplacement we were seeking and my child is like an entirely different person, one who has gone from selectively not even speaking to performing at the new school with a main part in a two hour show. Your work is so important, I never could have done this without you!!

- Parent of Middle School Student

We had been fighting to get our child’s school district to acknowledge the devastating impact our child’s mental health was having on all aspects of functioning, including academics. The district denied the extent of our child’s needs even in the face of reports and letters from multiple professionals indicating exactly what our child needed. It became clear that as long as we were fighting alone as parents, the district was going to use its power to fight for the easiest management of our child, not what was appropriate for our child to move forward and make progress. The district tried to use “least restrictive environment” as a justification for, in our opinion, not meeting our child’s needs versus recognizing that there is a continuum of support for a reason. Our public school cannot provide the therapeutic interventions required to address underlying, significant mental health challenges. It requires specialized professionals in an out-of-district placement, which is what our district seemed to fear. It was only after the Office of the Advocate for Special Education got involved that we were finally able to get our child what they needed. It took a long time, and filing for due process, but we finally have our child in an appropriate setting - and we can already see the positive shifts! We will be forever grateful that the ASE took on our case and helped us fight for what our child deserves. Kristen Mansharamani has helped save our child’s life! Thank goodness the State has created this Office!

- Parents of a High School Student