About Dr. Berlin

Dr. Dawn Berlin is an experienced consultant, advocate, and academic with over 30 years of expertise at the intersection of education and disability advocacy. Holding a Ph.D. from UCLA, she brings a deep, research-based understanding of behavior, learning, and communication to results-driven collaborative work with families and schools.

As a faculty member at California State University and lecturer at UCLA, Dr. Berlin developed and taught courses in classroom management, special education law, student assessment, inclusion, and instructional strategies. Her teaching and administrative experience ranges from preschool through adult transition programs across the continuum of services from general education through residential treatment centers and juvenile justice programs.

As an advocate, Dr. Berlin partners closely with families to help them navigate the complexities of special education. She offers a calm, student-focused perspective, helping parents clarify their priorities, understand their rights, and work effectively with schools to enable meaningful student progress.

In addition to her advocacy work, Dr. Berlin consults directly with school districts to strengthen special education systems and practices. She supports districts in areas such as IEP compliance, capacity building, and systems development—offering guidance through program reviews, staff training, and the design of sustainable, student-focused procedures. Her collaborative approach empowers district teams to improve outcomes while building internal capacity for long-term success.

With a career grounded in scholarship, experience, and heart, Dr. Berlin brings clarity, compassion, and deep expertise to every partnership she forms—whether with families, educators, or district leaders.