IEP Guidance for Families

Does your child's IEP feel overwhelming? Are you unsure if their occupational therapy services are appropriate or effective? You're not alone.

NeuroJoy provides expert guidance to families navigating school-based OT services in California, Oregon, and Minnesota. With nearly ten years experience as a school-based occupational therapist, I understand both the clinical needs of children and the complexities and limitations of the special education system.

I offer consultation, IEP support, document review, and independent evaluations to help you ensure your child gets the targeted support they deserve.

About NeuroJoy

Hi, I'm Alex Zuck, founder of NeuroJoy Occupational Therapy. I earned my Master's in Occupational Therapy from the University of Southern California in 2018 and completed my clinical Doctorate (OTD) in 2019. Since then, I've specialized in pediatric and school-based practice, working with children with autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, sensory processing disorder, genetic disorders, and a wide range of learning and developmental needs.

Over the years, I've witnessed the challenges schools and families face in accessing quality occupational therapy services—long waitlists, high caseloads, provider turnover, and systems that feel overwhelming to navigate, often at the expense of the student struggling. I created NeuroJoy to bridge those gaps and ensure every child receives the individualized support they deserve.

What I Offer:

I provide consultative and advocacy services to families across California, Oregon, and Minnesota who need advice, guidance and support. This includes:

  • Occupational therapy evaluation, assessing a child’s sensory and motor skills, including independent educational evaluations for families in Minnesota

  • IEP/classroom-based advocacy and consultation

  • General consultation for needs at home

My approach is collaborative and family-centered. I believe parents are the experts on their children, and my role is to provide the clinical expertise, education, and advocacy needed to help students thrive across environments.

Learn more

Services

  • School-Based Support & Consultation

    As a school-based occupational therapist with nearly 10 years of experience, I help families understand their child's needs and navigate the special education process with confidence. I provide expert clinical guidance to ensure your child's occupational therapy services and supports are appropriate and effective.

    Services include:

    • IEP consultation - I help parents prepare for IEP meetings by reviewing evaluation reports, clarifying clinical terminology, and identifying questions to ask. I can also attend meetings with you (virtually) as a clinical consultant to help interpret discussions and take notes

    • Independent Educational Evaluations (IEEs) - Comprehensive OT assessments that provide objective data about your child's functional needs when additional information is needed

    • Accommodation recommendations - Clinical guidance on appropriate occupational therapy accommodations and modifications based on your child's sensory, motor, and functional needs

    • Document review - Analysis of IEPs, OT evaluation reports, and progress monitoring from a clinical perspective to identify whether services align with your child's needs

    My role is to provide you with clinical expertise and education so you can make informed decisions and communicate effectively with your child's school team. With years of experience working within school systems, I understand how special education services work and can help you navigate the process while advocating for your child.

    Note: NeuroJoy provides occupational therapy consultation and clinical expertise. I am not an attorney and do not provide legal advice regarding special education law. Consultation services are based on review of existing documentation and parent report. For specific treatment recommendations, a comprehensive occupational therapy evaluation is required

  • Occupational Therapy Evaluations

    NeuroJoy provides comprehensive occupational therapy evaluations to identify your child's strengths and areas of need across motor development, sensory processing, adaptive skills, and social-emotional functioning.

    Evaluation options include:

    • Standard OT evaluations for children receiving private therapy services

    • Independent Educational Evaluations (IEEs) for families (Minnesota only) seeking an objective assessment of their child's school-based needs

  • Getting Started

    Not sure if NeuroJoy is the right fit? All prospective clients receive a complimentary 15-minute consultation to discuss your child's needs and determine how I can best support your family.

    Consultation Services

    In addition to ongoing therapy, I offer one-time or periodic consultative sessions for families seeking guidance without a weekly therapy commitment. These sessions require an evaluation to assess your child’s needs.

    • Assessment of your child's specific challenges

    • Practical strategies tailored to your home and school environments

    • Education on developmental skills and sensory needs

    • A written report with actionable recommendations for home and school.

    Whether you're looking for direction on sensory tools, advice on advocating for school services, or strategies to support daily routines, consultation sessions empower you with the knowledge and confidence to help your child thrive.

Schedule a Consultation

Consultations can be scheduled below using my Calendly link and will be completed via Video Call/Zoom meeting. If you’re interested in signing up for services without an initial consultation, please reach out via hello@neurojoytherapy.com or call by phone at 323-202-3147.

https://calendly.com/hello-neurojoytherapy/30min

"In every child lies an extraordinary world, waiting not to be changed, but to be seen, nurtured, and celebrated....""Neurodiversity is a profound reminder that humanity thrives in its differences...." "Growth happens when we honor differences and meet children where they are...."

"In every child lies an extraordinary world, waiting not to be changed, but to be seen, nurtured, and celebrated....""Neurodiversity is a profound reminder that humanity thrives in its differences...." "Growth happens when we honor differences and meet children where they are...."