Home - The Special Needs Specialist

What is it?

Expand the possibilities for people with special needs.

The Special Needs Specialist is an 8-week online program for professionals and families to expand their concept of optimal potential regarding the special needs person.

Created for professionals who work with the special needs population.
Created for families who live with and care for a member of the special needs population.
Created for individuals who are interested in working with the special needs population in the future.

Students can earn 14 continuing education credits through the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards. Students can earn a certificate as a Special Needs Specialist.

Taught by Dr. Erin Jacobs Stagner, DC, MS, MSHAPI, a special needs chiropractor and mom to a daughter with autism.

Who is it for?

Are you caring for a special needs person?

If you work in the special needs community, have a desire to
serve the special needs population that is ever expanding,
and believe that special needs people deserve equality just
like any other person, then being a Special Needs Specialist
might be for you.
Special Needs Specialists are:
- Professionals (Doctors, nurses, and allied health
  professionals)
- Educators (Teachers, assistants, early child/preschool
  workers)
- Families (with kids who have autism, sensory processing
  disorders, ADD/ADHD, Asperger’s)
- Personal Aids/Private Sitters
- Cosmetologists/Barbers/Hairdressers

Why do it?

Benefits and Outcomes

By completing The Special Needs Specialist program, certificate holders can expect to:

Earn a Special Needs Specialist certification of completion and 14 hours of continuing education
Receive progressive training on how the special needs brain works
Learn to adapt neurotypical scenarios for non-neurotypical people
Stop feeling like you cannot communicate about what’s going on with your child/patient
Gain insight into neurological development of the brain
Consider advances in the treatment of neurodevelopmental disorders

What You Get

Learn at your own pace.

Join live classes and connect with like-minded individuals.

This course runs over 8 weeks. Each week you’ll complete a module consisting 2-4 lessons. Lessons are delivered via online pre-recorded videos 10-15 minutes long. Each lesson builds on the previous module’s content.

To receive the next module, you must pass a quiz over the current material. A passing grade is 80%. You will have ongoing access to all online content so you can learn at your own pace.

Three live question and answer group calls where Erin answers all your questions happen on Zoom. You can log in via phone or online and calls are recorded.

When you register, you will receive login instructions to the online course.

Bonuses:

1 Handouts for each module so you’ll always have the most important information right at your fingertips.
2 An ever-expanding library of resources, including research papers, books, articles, TED talks, and interviews.
3 Interviews with professionals and parents of special needs people, experts in gut-brain health, primitive reflexes, and alternative medicine.
4 Private student-only Facebook group for networking and additional questions and answers.
5 Access to Dr. Erin Jacobs Stagner - 12 years of being a professional and special needs parent, speaker and teacher.

The Curriculum

Week One: Groundwork
- Definitions – To be able to have a clear discussion, everyone needs to be on the same page
- Goals – Let’s talk about a game plan, you can’t get where you’re going without a map
- History and Statistics – The changing landscape of special needs over the last couple decades
Week Two: Background
- Brain Ins and Outs – Basic brain anatomy and physiology
- Nervous System Nuts and Bolts – Movement of information to and from the brain
Week Three: Rapport
- Environment – How to accommodate and appreciate special needs people in the world
- Expectations – Let’s be open and honest about what parents want and what professionals wants
- Your story – We’ll craft a document together that puts all the information in one place
Week Four: Senses
- Near Senses – The trinity of sensory information to the brain
- Far Senses – The 5 senses you learned in elementary school explained
Week Five: Evaluation
- Where are we? – Chronological Age compared to Neurological Age
- Where should we be? – 6 areas of age-appropriate functions
Week Six Primitive reflexes
- Why haven’t I heard of these before? – Why primitive reflexes are often overlooked
- Crawling, Walking and Creeping Along
- Eating, Grasping and ADHD
- The Moro Reflex – The Mac Daddy of Them All
Week Seven: Diets
- The Top 6 – Learn the 6 most dangerous things we eat every day
- ADHD & Diet – Discussion of key instigators in behaviour issues
Week Eight: At Home
- Exercises – How can we stimulate the brain to work more efficiently?
- Patterning – From crawling to creeping to walking and the areas of the brain we use for each

About Erin

Who is
Dr. Erin Jacobs Stagner?

This is a culmination of 12 years of searching as a special needs parent for anything that would help my daughter as well as countless hours of research and learning from others in different fields.

My passion in life is to empower professionals and families to expand their concept of optimal potential in regards to special needs people.

I believe that there is often miscommunication between providers and families about the degree of assistance available for special needs people as well as the different types and forms of evaluation. There is constantly new information and research available however, it’s not always presented or written effectively for providers or parents.

The Special Needs Specialist is here to provide an opportunity for parents and professionals to better communicate about the care and treatment of the special needs population as well as to open doors for both professionals and parents to think outside the box.

I hold three degrees including a Doctorate in Chiropractic, a Masters in Sports Science and Rehabilitation and a Master in Human Anatomy and Physiology Instruction. After years of teaching both high school and community college, I realized that there is an entire group of people who can use the information I’ve spent years looking for to better the lives of their children and the children they serve.

Praise

“Dr. Jacobs Stagner is extensively trained, deeply experienced, and contagiously passionate about the care of special needs children. Her life’s mission is to help special needs families reach their unique optimal potential. She has a POWERFUL message that will transform your hearts and minds, while igniting hope and possibility.”

Dr. Barbara Eaton

26 March 2019
“Natalie has had tremendous positive changes since she started seeing Dr. Jacobs. Her overall muscle tone has improved. Her face and lips have relaxed. Even her demeanor has changed for the better, and her personality is shining! We have been able to decrease her medication because she’s doing so well! I am a believer! Dr. Jacobs has a gift!”

Stephanie Hernandez, RN

19 March 2019
“Experts say there is an Epidemic of Sick Children. 54% of our kids are sick and suffering from chronic illnesses. Neurodevelopmental disorders like ADD, ADHD, and Autism are on the rise. Our environment is causing this unacceptable situation. Dr. Erin Jacobs Stagner is my friend and colleague. We both have special daughters. Dr. Stagner and I have trained with some of the best doctors in our industry. Dr. Stagner’s Special Needs Certification Course will bring tremendous value.

To the parents who want to better understand “why my child does what he does.” To the doctors and nurses who want to learn “new ways to evaluate our SPED kiddos.” To the advocate who want to be ignited with “passion to serve our community.” You don’t want to miss out because the information Dr. Erin Stagner presents is a real game changer!”

Dr Sara Guido

Family Chiropractic Clinic

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the cost?

The Special Needs Specialist is a continuing education certification course designed for professionals and families. The enrollment fee is a ONE time payment of $795 USD.
2. How much time will it take?

Plan to set aside about 3-4 hours per week during the 8-week program including live group calls. Each module contains 2-4 lessons with 6-8 short videos of 10-15 minutes in length.

Modules are released upon an at least 80% passing grade of quizzes so you won’t be overwhelmed.

There are 3 group calls/webinars of 60 minutes. You can access via phone or internet. All calls are recorded and uploaded to the site for those who cannot attend.
3. What time are the live calls?

Live webinars/calls are held via Zoom on Tuesdays or Thursdays at 10AM CST or 3PM CST. Questions may be submitted at least 8 hours in advance should you be unable to attend the live call.
4. Can I apply for CEU/CME?

Yes. The course offers 14 hours of CEU/CME which is recorded after course completion. The Special Needs Specialist is an approved provider of CEU with the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards. Please check with your organization/accreditor.
5. What are the learning objectives/outcomes?
1. Describe the definitions of special needs people by the major organizations
2. Understand neurotypical brain anatomy and basic function
3. Understand the basics of how the nervous system works
4. Describe the current accommodations for special needs people
5. Describe the expectations of parents and professionals for communication
6. Craft a document that can be used to collect information regarding previous diagnoses and/or testing
7. Discuss the role of sensory information into the brain and how it is acquired and processed
8. Expand the definition and integration of the five far senses
9. Be able to distinguish between chronological age and neurological age
10. Recognize the six areas of evaluation and age-appropriate functions
11. Describe the role of primitive reflexes in the treatment of special needs population
12. Understand the role of primitive reflexes in neurological development of children
13. Describe the six most likely foods to cause inflammation in the body
14. Explain and implement elimination diets
15. Discuss the connection between ADHD and diet
16. Understand how to propose primitive reflex work to families or professionals
17. Discover home exercises for sensory integration and motor development
18. Obtain a better understanding of possible treatments
6. Are there any prerequisites to enroll?

No background is needed for this course. This course is designed for families or professionals.
7. I’m not a doctor - is this going to go over my head?

My mission is to make this content as simple as possible and relevant to your life. Feeling nervous is completely normal– your brain interprets excitement and nervousness the same way. There is a private Facebook group for all enrollees so you can share, support, and learn from each other.
8. Is there anybody who shouldn’t do this?

This 8-week program is designed primarily for families with special needs members or professionals who work with the special needs population. My teaching assumes some prior knowledge of special needs; however, the goal is to make this content as simple as possible.

Join us and explore the world of special needs. The Special Needs Specialist is designed to offer information to professionals and families to assist in the best care for the special needs population. I do not offer treatment of any specific disease/disorder/dysfunction, merely information to consider for potential options.
9. Satisfaction Guarantee

I want you to be satisfied with the information you receive here for the money that you spend. I offer a 30-day refund period if you believe the information is not quality and/or does not match the description. Refunds will not be provided outside of this 30 day time period. After day 30, all payments are non-refundable.

Help them reach their full potential

What is it?

Expand the possibilities for people with special needs.

Who is it for?

Are you caring for a special needs person?

Special Needs Specialists are:

Why do it?

Benefits and Outcomes

What You Get

Learn at your own pace.

Join live classes and connect with like-minded individuals.

Bonuses:

The Curriculum

Week One: Groundwork

Week Two: Background

Week Three: Rapport

Week Four: Senses

Week Five: Evaluation

Week Six Primitive reflexes

Week Seven: Diets

Week Eight: At Home

About Erin

Who is
Dr. Erin Jacobs Stagner?

Praise

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the cost?

2. How much time will it take?

3. What time are the live calls?

4. Can I apply for CEU/CME?

5. What are the learning objectives/outcomes?

6. Are there any prerequisites to enroll?

7. I’m not a doctor - is this going to go over my head?

8. Is there anybody who shouldn’t do this?

9. Satisfaction Guarantee

Contact Us

Help them reach their full potential

What is it?

Expand the possibilities for people with special needs.

Who is it for?

Are you caring for a special needs person?

Special Needs Specialists are:

Why do it?

Benefits and Outcomes

What You Get

Learn at your own pace.

Join live classes and connect with like-minded individuals.

Bonuses:

The Curriculum

Week One: Groundwork

Week Two: Background

Week Three: Rapport

Week Four: Senses

Week Five: Evaluation

Week Six Primitive reflexes

Week Seven: Diets

Week Eight: At Home

About Erin

Who is Dr. Erin Jacobs Stagner?

Praise

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the cost?

2. How much time will it take?

3. What time are the live calls?

4. Can I apply for CEU/CME?

5. What are the learning objectives/outcomes?

6. Are there any prerequisites to enroll?

7. I’m not a doctor - is this going to go over my head?

8. Is there anybody who shouldn’t do this?

9. Satisfaction Guarantee

Contact Us

Who is
Dr. Erin Jacobs Stagner?