S2E32: Navigating School Systems and Advocating for Your Child with Justin H. Dove

Hello, and welcome back to The Parent Doctor Podcast. I'm your host, Dr. Marissa Caudill. Please rate and follow this podcast to help spread this resource, and be sure to visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠theparentdoctor.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to sign up for my ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or join the monthly ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠book club⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, both are FREE!

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In this episode of The Parent Doctor Podcast, I’m thrilled to welcome Justin H. Dove, a licensed educational psychologist and the school psychologist at my kids’ school here in Los Angeles, The Mirman School. Justin is not only a deeply compassionate clinician and advocate, but also someone whose work is rooted in social justice, neurodiversity-affirming practices, and equitable access to education. 

In our conversation, Justin shares insights from his 15 years of experience in public, charter, and independent schools across the country, and breaks down what actually happens when parents raise concerns about their child’s learning, attention, or emotional wellbeing. We demystify what school psychologists do, how IEP (Individualized Education Program) and SST (Student Support Team) processes work, and why it’s so important to assume positive intent when partnering with educators.

We also explore the challenges families face navigating between public and private school systems—especially when kids are twice-exceptional (gifted + neurodivergent). Justin explains how parents can request an evaluation (even if their child is in private school), what accommodations are considered “reasonable,” and how to handle delays or resistance without immediately going into fight mode. You'll also hear his powerful take on the difference between a diagnosis and a label—and how we can talk to our kids about ADHD, autism, or learning differences in affirming, empowering ways.

If you’ve ever felt confused about how to get help for your child at school, or you’re unsure whether speaking up might limit their opportunities, this episode will give you clarity, courage, and tools to advocate without fear. Justin reminds us that special education isn’t a place—it’s a menu of services—and that every child deserves to learn in a way that honors who they are.

You can access Justin’s Special Education Evaluation Request Templates here: a General version for families outside of California and a California-specific version.

If you’d like to reach out to Justin, you can contact him via email at [e-mail], or connect with him on social media:LinkedIn and his Website. 

Thanks for tuning in!