About Us

Ruth Bakken - IEP Beacon

Ruth Bakken is a dedicated special education advocate with over two decades of experience supporting neurodiverse learners and their families. A graduate of SEAT 2.0, the nationally recognized intensive training program for advanced advocacy skills, and a member of the Council for Parent Advocates & Attorneys (COPAA), Ruth combines professional expertise with lived experience to guide families through the IEP and 504 process with clarity and confidence.

As both an educator and a mother of five— three with diverse learning needs— Ruth brings a unique perspective to advocacy. She understands firsthand the challenges parents face and is committed to helping them find their voice, secure resources, and feel empowered in every step of their child’s educational journey.

Ruth earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Utah and began her career in 1997 working as an autism specialist. In that role, she collaborated with multi-disciplinary teams to evaluate, diagnose, and design research-based interventions, as well as develop treatment plans and IEPs. Her professional expertise deepened when she transitioned to the role of parent advocate after her own children were diagnosed with speech delays, ADHD, dyslexia, anxiety, dysgraphia, and other learning differences.

In 2018, Ruth became a certified Multi-Sensory Math Practitioner through the Atlantic Seaboard Dyslexia Education Center (ASDEC). She worked with students in grades 3–12 with dyscalculia, dyslexia, ADHD, autism, and processing disorders to build math confidence and conceptual understanding. Most recently, she served as Lead Assessment Specialist at Made for Math, where she assessed learner strengths and challenges and matched them with effective, individualized teaching strategies.

Today, Ruth’s mission is simple: to educate, support, and empower parents and neurodiverse learners so they can thrive. She partners with families to navigate the special education system, ensuring that every student’s voice—and potential—is recognized.