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Fernando L. de Urioste
Director of Advocate Services
Education Advocate
A native Texan and graduate of the University of Texas, Fernando has over six years of experience working for the Austin Independent School District, predominantly as a Social Communication Resources and Services (SCORES) Teacher and Case Manager for middle school students on the autism spectrum. He has also held various positions in K-12 special education programs including: Social Behavior Skills (SBS), Life Skills, and the Preschool Program for Children with Disabilities (PPCD.)
Fernando is no stranger to the ARD process and has experience with accommodations for a broad scope of student needs such as autism spectrum, emotional dysregulation, OHI, Down Syndrome, intellectual disability, OT/PT, speech and language services, and Section 504 services. He also earned his accreditation as a Certified Orientation & Mobility Specialist for persons with visual impairments after completing his coursework at The Virginia Murray Sowell Center for Research and Education in Sensory Disabilities at Texas Tech.
Fernando lives in Austin with his wife Rachel and their two dogs, Blanka and Pogi. He enjoys yoga, biking, and making music.
Fernando specializes in providing information, training and creative support to families and communities in:
1) IDEA Procedural Safeguards which include due process hearings, complaints to TEA, mediation and resolution sessions
2) OCR complaints and processes that address discrimination, retaliation, harassment, and Title IX
3) Educator Misconduct
4) Parent Rights under the Texas Education Code Chapter 26
5) District Level 1-2-3 Parent/ Student Compliance/ Grievance Process
6) FERPA Complaint
7) PPRA Complaint
8) DAEP/ JJAEP Hearings ( Change of placement/discipline hearings
9) MDR - Manifestation Determination Reviews under 504 /IDEA
10) ARD (Admission/Review/Dismissal), IEP, and 504 Process
Education:
BA in English, University of Texas at Austin
Member of:
Council of Parents, Advocates & Attorneys (COPAA)