About Susana Ruiz

Welcome to Spectrum of Love Advocacy. My name is Susana Ruiz a mother of two unique, loving, and good-hearted young men with special educational needs.

My eldest was diagnosed in first grade with a specific learning disability, and my youngest was diagnosed at 2 years old with Autism. I am a former Elementary Teacher, Developmental Specialist, and now a Special Education Advocate.  

I have personally experienced the many challenges parents encounter advocating for their child with special needs in the school system.  My experience is unique in that I have learned to navigate those systems with the knowledge of my role as a Parent, Teacher, Developmental Specialist, and Special Education Advocate. 

Throughout my advocacy, I have maintained good working relationships with school professionals.  I pride myself on engaging in productive, creative, and collaborative conversations.  Building strong relationships at the IEP table is conducive to building strong IEPs.

My mission is to make special education advocacy accessible to ALL families, empower parents to advocate for their child, and provide parents with strategies to support their mental well-being.   

Experience

General Education Teacher

  • First Grade Teacher

  • Bilingual / Dual Immersion 

  • Summer School ESY Teacher (1st-3rd Non-Categorical class)

Developmental Specialist Early Start Program (0-3 Years)

  • EasterSeals Bilingual Specialist 

  • EasterSeals Autism Behavioral Services

  • HOPE Bilingual Specialist

Trainings & Qualifications

Special Education Advocacy Training 

  • Special Education Advocacy Training (SEAT 2) -COPAA (Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates)

  • CA Parents for Change Public Policy Advocacy-Parents Helping Parents

  • WrightsLaw Special Education Advocacy Training

Special Education Training

  • Early Start Institute  I, II, III (Early Intervention 0-3 yrs)

  • Battelle Developmental-Assessment Instrument Training 

  • Summit Behavior Management for Parents of Children with Special Needs  

  • ESPA training at Stanford (Early Support Parent Autism)

  • PRT-Speech Language Therapy Level 1 and 2 (Parent-led speech-behavioral therapy) 

  • Stanford/CHC Executive Functioning Advocacy Training 

  • IMSE Multi-Sensory Approach to Literacy for Special Education (Phonological Awareness)

Special Need Parent Wellness Training

  • YEAS Yoga Teacher Training for Children with Autism

  • Stanford Mindfulness Skills for Autism Parent Training (MBSR)

  • Stanford AMOR Method (Stress Management Skills for Autism Parents)

  • Niroga Institute - Dynamic Mindfulness Teacher /Trauma-Informed Yoga (CAESL)

  • Blue Fitness Yoga Teacher Training (African- American yoga experience) 200hr RYA

  • Art of Yoga - Trauma-Informed Practices for Marginalized Youth

Program improves resilience for parents of kids with autism

Our family’s feature with Stanford Medicine