Stephanie Dawson, M.S.

Stephanie Dawson is an experienced educational advocate, educational diagnostician, and psychometrist with more than 30 years of experience supporting children, adolescents, and families navigating special education and related services. As Director of Educational Advocacy Services at Fairfax Mental Health and Wellness, Stephanie brings extensive expertise in special education law, school-based programming, educational assessment, and individualized planning.

Throughout her career, Stephanie has supported hundreds of families across multiple states, including extensive work throughout Northern and Central Virginia. Her experience includes Loudoun, Fairfax, Prince William, Culpeper, Spotsylvania, Fauquier, Alexandria, Arlington, and Stafford. She helps families navigate IEPs, 504 Plans, evaluations, placement decisions, and concerns related to the provision of a free appropriate public education (FAPE).

Stephanie has worked with students with a wide range of learning, developmental, behavioral, and emotional needs. She regularly collaborates with parents, educators, school administrators, attorneys, private practitioners, and other professionals to develop thoughtful, individualized educational plans and address concerns in a constructive and collaborative manner.

Her background in educational assessment further strengthens her advocacy work. Stephanie has extensive experience administering, reviewing, and interpreting educational evaluations, identifying areas of academic and functional need, and helping families understand how assessment findings can inform educational programming and support. Her work as a psychometrist also includes administering and scoring standardized cognitive, academic, neuropsychological, and behavioral measures under the supervision of a licensed psychologist.

Stephanie is passionate about helping families understand their options, participate meaningfully in the educational process, and advocate effectively for the services and supports their children need to thrive. She believes effective advocacy combines a strong understanding of special education law and assessment with collaboration, clear communication, and a genuine appreciation of each student as an individual.

Stephanie holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from George Mason University, postgraduate coursework in Special Education, a Virginia Postgraduate Professional License in Special Education (K–12), and a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Western Governors University. She is a member of the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA) and is committed to bringing her decades of experience, extensive knowledge, and family-centered approach to the FMHW team and the families it serves.