Educational Consulting

Every learner's mind works differently. For gifted, twice-exceptional (2e), and neurodivergent students, the difference between struggling and thriving often begins with a plan built around how that particular student learns. Educational consulting at Zaretsky Wellness helps families and schools develop and implement that plan.

Dr. Lisa Zaretsky, Ed.D. brings decades of classroom, special-education, literacy, and cognitive-diversity experience to this work. Her background includes New York State Permanent Certifications in Reading Education (K–12), Special Education (K–12), and General Education (N–6), an academic certificate in Gifted and Twice-Exceptional Education, a doctorate in Cognitive Diversity and Leadership, and associate membership in the Association of Educational Therapists.

How we help. We review existing evaluations, assessments, and reports and help families understand the findings, recommendations, and potential next steps. We can help identify questions or apparent gaps that a family may wish to discuss with the evaluating professional, school, or another qualified provider. When additional evaluation or specialized services may be useful, we can recommend that the family consult an appropriately qualified professional.

We also help families assemble and coordinate support teams, facilitate collaboration among families, schools, and outside providers, attend team or school meetings, and support communication about accommodations, instructional approaches, learning strategies, and implementation. For students, we can develop strength-based success plans addressing study skills, organization, self-advocacy, and daily school routines.

Educational consulting is non-clinical guidance, education, and coordination. Zaretsky Wellness does not conduct psychological, psychoeducational, medical, or diagnostic evaluations or testing; make or independently interpret clinical diagnoses; provide psychotherapy or other treatment; or offer legal advice or representation. Any evaluation or report remains the work of the professional who prepared it. When testing, clinical care, or legal advice may be appropriate, we will recommend that the client consult a qualified professional.

Frequently Asked Questions About Educational Consulting

 

What is educational consulting?

Educational consulting provides personalized guidance for students, families, and educators to support academic, social-emotional, and educational needs. At Zaretsky Wellness, we develop individualized strategies that honor each student's strengths, interests, and unique learning profile while empowering students and families to navigate challenges and make informed educational decisions.

 

Who can benefit from educational consulting?

Educational consulting is ideal for:

• Gifted learners
• Twice Exceptional (2e) students
• Neurodivergent learners, including those with ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and other learning differences
• Students struggling with motivation, executive functioning, or school engagement
• Parents seeking guidance on educational planning
• Schools and educators looking for individualized student support

What does "Twice Exceptional (2e)" mean?

Twice Exceptional (2e) refers to students who are both gifted and have one or more learning, developmental, or neurodevelopmental differences, such as ADHD, autism, dyslexia, or anxiety. These students often have significant strengths alongside areas of challenge that require individualized support tailored to their unique learning profile, strengths, and needs.

What does neuroaffirming mean?

A neuroaffirming approach recognizes and respects neurodiversity as a variation in how people think, learn, and experience the world. Rather than trying to "fix" differences, we help children and families develop strategies that support success while honoring their individual strengths, needs, and ways of engaging with the world.

What services are included in educational consulting?

Educational consulting may include:

• Individualized educational planning
• Gifted and Twice Exceptional (2e) learner support
• Executive functioning strategies
• School collaboration 
• Parent consultations 
• Academic accommodations guidance
• Learning profile interpretation
• Social-emotional support planning
• School placement and fit guidance
• Transition planning
• Educational goal setting and progress review

Do you work directly with schools?

Yes. When appropriate and with family consent, we collaborate with teachers, administrators, school counselors, psychologists, learning specialists, and other educational professionals to help create supportive learning environments and facilitate effective communication between home and school. 

We provide support across a broad range of educational needs and circumstances. Areas of support may include, but are not limited to, school communication, educational planning, school advocacy, IEP and 504 Plan discussions, learning accommodations, executive functioning support, gifted education, twice-exceptional (2e) learners, school placement considerations, academic planning,school transitions,, and strategies that promote academic, social, emotional, and personal growth. Services are individualized based on the student's needs, goals, educational setting, strenghts,and unique learning profile. 

Can educational consulting help if my child is struggling in school?

Absolutely. Educational consulting can be beneficial whether your child is experiencing academic challenges, social difficulties, executive functioning concerns, school avoidance, or emotional stress, learning differences, or when their current educational environment is not meeting their needs. Educational consulting helps identify underlying factors, clarify goals, and develop individualized educational plans, recommendations, and strategies for success.

My child is gifted but isn't performing well in school. Can you help?

Yes. Gifted learners may underachieve for many reasons, including boredom, perfectionism, anxiety, executive functioning challenges, learning differences, or being Twice Exceptional (2e). We work to understand the whole child and develop strategies that increase engagement, confidence, and academic success.

Do parents participate in the process?

Yes. Parent collaboration is an important part of educational consulting and a key part of our approach. We work closely with families to better understand each child's strengths, needs, learning profile, and educational goals and ensure strategies can be effectively implemented both at home and in school, creating consistency and long-term success.

Are virtual educational consulting sessions available?

Yes. Virtual consultations provide flexible, convenient support for families regardless of location, allowing us to collaborate effectively through secure online sessions.

How is educational consulting different from tutoring?

Tutoring focuses primarily on teaching academic subjects or improving grades. Educational consulting looks at the bigger picture by addressing learning styles, executive functioning, motivation, emotional well-being, school fit, accommodations, and individualized strategies that support academic, social, and personal growth.

What can I expect during the first consultation?

During your initial consultation, we'll discuss your child's strengths, challenges, educational history, learning history, goals, and current concerns. Together, we'll identify priorities and develop personalized recommendations and strategies to support educational goals, social-emotional well-being, and overall development.

How do I get started?

Scheduling an initial consultation is the first step. Together, we'll assess your child’s unique needs, identify priorities.and develop personalized recommendations and strategies designed to support educational, social-emotional, and developmental growth while empowering both students and families.