Pediatric Services

Pediatric Advocacy Services

“Helping every child move toward their brightest future.”

At Stepping Stone Advocacy Services, we specialize in supporting families navigating the challenges of spectrum pediatric services, including autism, ADHD, sensory processing disorders, and other neurodivergent conditions. Our experienced patient advocates are also here to assist with medically complex pediatric cases, helping families coordinate care, understand medical options, and access vital resources. Whether your child has multiple diagnoses or requires a specialized treatment plan, we are here to guide you every step of the way. Virtual advocacy services may be available, making expert support accessible no matter where you live.

Interventions

Examples of how we help clients

Medical Guidance

Educate clients about new diagnosis & medical condition
Coordination and care oversight for families
Managing changes in health condition(s)
Serve as point of contact with medical staff

Decision Support

Discharge planning & transition of care
Occupational Therapy Home Safety Assessments
Selecting applicable specialists for client’s plan of care
Coordinate transfers between facilities & providers
Research diagnoses and secure second opinions

Recovery & Wellness

Explore alternative treatments as indicated
Connect clients and families with additional resources
Encourage client participation with prescribed treatments
Manage client stress & grief following medical events

Medical Billing Navigation

Auditing medical bills Negotiating lower out of pocket expenses Providing education on how to navigate the insurance and claims arena

Care Giver Support

Enhance quality of life for clients & family
Schedule and attend medical appointments
Coordinate home care options based on client needs
Identify relevant education for client & family

PEDIATRIC INTERVENTIONS

Navigating complex medical diagnoses and treatment options

Coordinating care among pediatric specialists, therapists, and primary care teams

Assisting with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and 504 accommodations in school settings

Helping families access early intervention, developmental services, and special needs resources

Supporting communication between families and healthcare providers

Preparing families for hospitalizations, procedures, or transitions of care

Emotional support for families facing serious illness, disability, or end-of-life care

Guidance on insurance coverage, appeals, and financial assistance programs

LORI IS EXTREMELY TALENTED!

What a great use of Lori’s talents!

I worked with Lori for several years during my career as an orthopedic surgeon. I know her to be not only compassionate and understanding but also a tireless advocate for what is right.

In difficult situations she was unwavering in her quest to enable me to provide the best possible care for my patients. She knows the system and how to work through it (and around it whenever necessary

LORI JUMPED RIGHT IN

If you are in need of a patient advocate, I would highly recommend Lori Schellenberg. She is extremely knowledgeable, effective, and professional. Knows when to be strong and forceful yet loving and caring with your loved one and your family. I was concerned about an elderly family member who had several severe falls, was forgetting to take medication, not eating healthy and not keeping up with housekeeping yet insistent she was fine and staying in her home. Even though Lori lived out of state she made phone calls on our behalf, made several recommendations to help us provide what our loved one needed and was an intermediary when it was necessary. Lori’s knowledge of geriatrics, continuous care/assisted living facilities, the health care system, long term care insurance and hospice is invaluable. She helped us put together a plan that provided the best and continuous care necessary for our loved one and our family. We are extremely thankful for her help and look forward to continuing to work with her as our loved one moves through the next phases of her life’s journey, thus enabling us to create loving memories.

LORI JUMPED RIGHT IN

My husband underwent nasal surgery 6 months ago, after he had a negative sleep study test and was referred to an ENT doctor due to continued fatigue and snoring.

Unfortunately, he developed two different serious infections, and we were concerned about his ongoing treatment with the ENT. In fact, we were very anxious because he wasn’t getting better but the surgeon was not clear with us as to what to do next.

When describing what was going on, Lori jumped right in, when she found out my husband was actually at the surgeon’s office at that time, and still did not understand the situation. She recommended that my husband ask to have the surgeon come back into the room, and to call her so that she could speak to the surgeon with my husband in the room. Lori was very professional and knowledgeable in her approach with his surgeon. She established a treatment plan, in a way that my husband could understand, and why this was the plan. She also discussed the “what ifs” the current treatment plan did not work. He ordered further tests to be completed prior to his next appointment, if he did not improve.

She followed up with my husband and I to make sure we understood the plan.

By advocating for my husband, Lori relieved a lot of anxiety and stress that this current medical concern was causing, and they felt more confident in the surgeon’s care.

We highly recommend Lori and Stepping Stone Advocacy Services, if you are experiencing a medical condition, and don’t know where to turn for answers. She is experienced and professional, yet able to discuss medical terms in a way that we understood.