An advocate would be a local person, so not someone you could find through a national site like Wrightslaw. Ours is an "educational advocate," definitely not an attorney. She is very useful in making sure we have an understanding of what each school meeting is for, how to handle it, and what we need to accomplish. Most critically, when we feel something isn't happening that should, she works that out with the district staff BEFORE the meeting, so that during the meeting we can actually get things done.
Theoretically I would be capable of doing this job myself, I've mastered a lot by now, but for some reason it goes much better to have this kind of brokering by a third party; they listen to the advocate differently. It is also so much better for my stress level.
If insurance won't cover a private eval, talk to the most well-reputed professional's office staff and ask them about funding. Our county has two separate non-need-based programs that would fund an eval for developmental issues. One of those programs also funds some aspects of treatment. There are need-based programs too. Obviously, this too depends on where you are, but local professionals should know what to tell you; they deal with this all the time.
DeeDee
