Laurie H. Warner

I am the founder and lead advocate for Beyond the Gray Area, LLC., educational consulting. My passion to advocate for children with special needs began in college where I obtained my Masters in Special Education from the University of Arizona. As a special education teacher, I have worked with families to develop Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), 504 Accommodation plans, and have attended hundreds of IEP and 504 meetings over my 27 year career.  A turning point in my life and in my career was when my son acquired a brain injury at the age of three. Now I was both an advocate for my son and a special education teacher. I am keenly aware of what it is like to sit on both sides of the table. As a special education teacher, it is tough to navigate the special education system. As a parent, it is even tougher. I am very aware of the tremendous joys and devastating heartaches that come with working with children and young adults with special needs. 

When my son aged out of the system the question became what now? For me, a new passion was born; what happens after high school? As a transitional consultant, I will  work collaboratively with parents and young adults who have completed high school to plan for what is next and guide them through the transition through one on one meetings, college visits, obtaining employment and vocational counseling. 

As all parents who have raised a child with special needs understand, the opportunity to have a social calendar that rivals their peers, who do not have the same needs, is a challenge. I noticed that the lack of social interaction for young adults with special needs is a clear and pervasive problem, yet unnecessary with a little guidance and support. We will work with young adults who have lived in the “gray area” as well as their parents, to develop a plan to meet their social needs.

At Beyond the Gray Area, LLC, We will provide advocacy for all school age children and facilitate the transition and social emotional guidance for young adults. Our mission is to advance these kids "beyond the gray area" to a bright new world.