Daphne Zacky Bold
An Advocate Like No Other
Special Education Consulting & Advocacy
An Advocate Like No Other
It can be overwhelming to determine the best course of action when your child is struggling academically at school. As parents, we trust schools to identify concerns early and provide the appropriate support. But today’s education systems are often overwhelmed, and too many children slip through the cracks before anyone realizes there’s a problem.
That’s where I come in.
With experience on both sides of the IEP table, advocating within school districts and now standing alongside families, I understand how special education decisions are made and, more importantly, how to challenge them when necessary. I help parents cut through the confusion, delays, and discouragement to secure the services their child is legally entitled to and truly needs.
With Daphne, your child can not only meet expectations but also exceed them, both in school and in life.
My mission is to provide you with the knowledge and tools to better empower you as your child’s strongest advocate.
Daphne Helps You Navigate Your Child’s Journey
How Daphne Helps
Meredith
A Preschool Parent Seeking Clarity
When Meredith first contacted me, she was overwhelmed. Her 3-year-old son, attending a private preschool, had been referred for a district evaluation due to speech delays. The school district recommended a secluded special education classroom—something that felt far too restrictive, but Meredith didn’t know what alternatives existed. Trusting her instincts, she reached out for support.
During our consultation, I reviewed the assessments and quickly identified gaps in data, questionable recommendations, and overlooked developmental strengths. With a short window before their next IEP meeting, we developed a plan rooted in their son’s needs and the family’s long-term vision. I guided them through available service options, helped shape their advocacy voice, and prepared them to confidently engage with the IEP team.
The results were powerful: the district agreed to a more inclusive placement with targeted supports. Two years later, their son is thriving in general education kindergarten with minimal services, having far surpassed initial expectations. Meredith’s story is a testament to the difference informed advocacy can make.
Rose
A Mother Advocating for Her Anxious 3rd Grader
Rose reached out to me in tears. Her daughter, a bright student in a dual language program, was struggling with increasing anxiety—especially around math. What began as academic challenges soon impacted her self-confidence and friendships. The once vibrant child was becoming withdrawn, and despite concerns, the district determined she didn’t qualify for special education services.
When I reviewed the reports, it was clear that critical pieces were missing. I requested additional data and identified gaps in the district’s evaluation. With that, we formally requested an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) at public expense—and it was approved. Rose was able to select a qualified assessor, and her daughter was finally given the thorough evaluation she deserved.
Today, with appropriate supports in place, Rose’s daughter is thriving in her general education classroom. Her confidence has returned, and she’s once again engaged in both learning and friendships. Advocacy made all the difference.
Daniel
Advocating for Support in Private School
Daniel, a gifted first-grader attending private school, was recently diagnosed as Autistic. While thriving academically, he struggled with focus and regulation in the classroom. His parents feared he might not be able to stay in a setting where he felt connected.
Through collaboration with the private school and public district, we secured a district-funded evaluation and one-on-one support to meet Daniel’s needs—without removing him from his school community.
Today, Daniel is thriving with the right accommodations, and his parents continue to play a vital role in advocating for his ongoing success.
Clients Love Working with Daphne
“It’s impossible to overstate how impactful it is to have Daphne’s help on this special education journey.
At the start, I thought: “I’m an educated person with a good career. My school district is one of the best in the country. The school we are zoned for is more than willing to provide services. I should be able to navigate this on my own.” By the very first meeting, I saw how wrong I was.
There was no way I could have known about all the different tests, all the different standards, all the different options for addressing the needs. More notably, even the knowledge of head of special ed, the vice principal and the special ed teachers at the excellent school we are zoned for paled in comparison to Daphne’s. She constantly gave input and came up with ideas that impressed them. So much so that they now ask me whether Daphne will be joining our follow up meetings.
It’s clear Daphne knows what’s she’s doing. It’s also obvious she cares so much.
My kids’ educators are well-meaning, but Daphne goes way beyond. And thanks to that combination of incredible insight and unparalleled care, Daphne gets results—and is an invaluable ally in our children’s special ed journeys.
“It is not an overstatement to say that Daphne's expert guidance and support have single-handedly reduced my child's suffering in school.
Daphne's credentials and experience speak for themselves; what is less obvious, however, but equally important, is her remarkable ability to educate, guide, and advocate on behalf of families. Like most parents, I came to the assessment and evaluation process with little understanding of how the system works, and significant apprehension about seeking services for my child.
Daphne took the time to get to know my child, her strengths and areas of improvements, and understand our family's values and priorities.
She informed us of our options and made recommendations based on her experience, but also listened to us to ensure that the strategy we pursued was appropriate for our child, and our family. Daphne's empathy, coupled with her deep knowledge of the system proved to be invaluable. Because of Daphne's deep network of contacts, dedicated support, and tireless advocacy, our child is finally receiving the services to which she is entitled.
I could not have done this without Daphne and would wholeheartedly and unequivocally recommend her to any family that is on this journey.