There’s no question that, for most parents, their children’s education is a top priority. Yet the complexities involved with choosing the best school, program, or college can often be confusing, frustrating and overwhelming.

Utilizing the services of an educational consultant may be an essential step in helping families assess their options and make informed decisions. Consultants not only provide individualized attention, they also share their objective opinions and vast knowledge of suitable educational opportunities.

Independent educational consultants offer a wide range of services that include assisting children with special needs, helping families decide on the best private school or guiding high school students through the college application process.

Some consultants have specialties such as working with children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder or learning disorders; others advise those who have a child at risk or in crisis.

“An educational consultant helps a family create a road map or a plan of action in order to move forward,” Nancy Cappelloni, a Tiburon-based educational consultant, says. “The consultant is an advocate for the parents, making recommendations and helping them follow through, providing a bridge between home and school, and then putting all the pieces together.”

Depending on the issue at hand, most consultants begin with an evaluation to gain a better understanding of the student and his or her needs. An initial meeting may include discussion about the child’s history, topics that are of immediate concern, and hopes for the future. After assessing test scores, reviewing transcripts and gathering information from family, teachers and therapists, consultants analyze the situation and offer unbiased advice based on their professional judgment.

Where school counselors typically serve a large number of students, educational consultants act as personal advocates for children and their families.

“School counselors know resources in their particular school and the larger local community; when parents call me, they are at wit’s end,” explains Anne Lewis, a certified educational planner in Santa Barbara. “Their child needs more than they have found locally or the child needs to be away from influences in the community. My knowledge of schools – whether they are schools for children with different learning styles or emotional and behavioral difficulties – is nationwide.

“In my practice, I am one-third counselor in that I advise parents, one-third librarian in that I have extensive resources, and one-third detective in that I search for the match of the student to the school.”

Because the family – and particularly the child – spends a significant amount of time with the consultant, and because these professionals vary in their experience, expertise and personal style, it is imperative to take great care in choosing a consultant. A friend or relative may refer some parents to a consultant, while others find a compatible consultant by asking medical professionals, members of a school’s admissions staff or working through a professional organization like the Independent Educational Consultants Association.

When looking to hire a consultant, parents need to understand the specific services offered and the fee structure for each. In addition, key inquiries include the consultant’s qualifications and training, specialties and availability as well as how meetings will be conducted.

Although working with a consultant may not be the first thing that comes to mind when navigating your child’s education, seeking professional assistance may propel your child – and your whole family – in a positive new direction.