Meet a Mom! Meet Allison Hopkins, a Licensed Psycho-Educational Specialist, Nationally Certified School Psychologist, and South Carolina Board of Education Level 2 School Psychologist. Allison is the founder of Charleston Educational Services, which specializes in providing families with high quality evaluations and support. Allison has been working with children and adults with special needs and diverse abilities for 20 years. She is passionate about empowering families, acting as a resource, and providing a holistic approach to give children a safe and healthy environment where they can personally develop, maximize independence, and expand upon their success. Allison resides in Charleston with her husband and her two daughters. Read more below about Allison, her life in the Lowcountry, and her biggest takeaway from her business on how parents can make the best decisions for their families.
Where are you originally from and how long have you been in Charleston, SC?
I grew up on Long Island and moved to Charleston in 2012 to pursue graduate school at The Citadel.
Tell us about your family
My husband, Brian, is originally from Mount Pleasant and works for HITT Contracting. We met in 2012 and have been together ever since. Our days and nights were filled with the beach, fishing with friends, and downtown life. Fast forward to today, and we have two little girls, Magnolia and Georgia. They love fire trucks, singing, and keeping us busy with their playful energy.
One thing people would be surprised to know about you?
We lived in Washington D.C. right before COVID hit and at that time I was going through the intensive interview process to be an FBI Field Agent. Timing is everything!
What’s your favorite thing about raising a family in Charleston?
We love Charleston because of our family and friends. The year-round sunshine is a must for our family so we are always outside to play or enjoy a meal.
Tell us about your business, Charleston Educational Services, and when & why you decided to start this business.
Charleston Educational Services is dedicated to providing families with high-quality evaluations and support. I offer psychoeducational evaluations, executive functioning coaching, and parent support and advocacy. I started this business part-time when I was two months postpartum, driven by my passion for working with children and their families. I love working directly with children because testing helps families better understand their child’s needs and can be an access point for the services necessary for them to thrive.
For my executive functioning coaching clients, it’s incredibly rewarding to see them light up when they succeed on a big test or project through effective planning and studying, or when they become more organized and have their materials ready to turn in. These little wins boost their confidence, and I truly enjoy watching their growth over time. In the school system, I conducted evaluations, provided behavioral and therapeutic support, supported teachers, partnered with parents, and was part of the leadership team. Now, in my own practice, I have the opportunity to create a more personalized experience for families, allowing me to offer tailored support and make a greater impact on each individual’s needs.
Can you tell us more about your background in Education?
As a teenager I volunteered and worked at Camp ANCHOR, which is a year round recreational program that serves over a thousand children and adults with special needs on Long Island. My experiences and relationships through ANCHOR have been a formative piece of my identity. I attended James Madison University in Virginia to study Communication Sciences and Disorders with a minor in Special Education. After college I worked in a special education preschool and had an amazing mentor who led me to ABA and School Psychology. I was an ABA therapist (BCaBA) for children with Autism on Long Island and here in Charleston during grad school.
After completing my graduate studies, I moved to Washington D.C. working as a school psychologist across schools in the city. I have had the privilege and opportunity to work with all types of families, schools, and communities. My passions and areas of interest include Autism, early intervention, ADHD, executive functioning, adolescent self-esteem, and maternal mental health. I am deeply committed to supporting families and individuals in these areas to help them thrive and overcome challenges.
What types of services does Charleston Educational Services specialize in and provide to local families in Charleston?
As a Licensed Psychoeducational Specialist and Nationally Certified School Psychologist I provide families with comprehensive psychoeducational evaluations. Psychoeducational evaluations are a tool for understanding your child’s unique cognitive, academic, and social emotional behavior skills. Psychoeducational evaluations are helpful to families who have concerns related to neurodivergence such as giftedness, Autism, ADHD, a learning disability (like dysgraphia, dyscalculia, or dysgraphia). Evaluations can also be diagnostic for developmental delays in early childhood or mental health conditions like anxiety or depression across age spans. I also offer executive functioning coaching, parent support and advocacy services.
How can a parent learn more about helping support their child with your services?
I try to make it easy for busy parents! You can call or text 843-410-8822, email [email protected], book directly online, or submit an inquiry form on www.charlestoneducationalservices.com and I’ll reach out to you. Follow us on instagram @CHSEducationalServices for updates on community events. We have something in the works for Autism families coming up in February.
What is your biggest takeaway from this business and helping local families?
My biggest takeaway is that parents can make the best decisions for their families when they have meaningful data and information with a clear understanding of their options. My goal for my kids is that they have the skills they need to navigate their social relationships, academics, mental health and pursue their own goals.
Tell us more about your work/life balance within motherhood.
Balance isn’t quite the right word for my work-life situation, but juggling toddlerhood and a small business has been a master class in prioritization, time management, and flexibility. While I wear many hats and there’s always something to be done at home and work, the most important thing to me is being fully present and engaged with my own children and the children I work with, ensuring they know I’m truly listening and involved.
Who has most influenced you to be the mom that you are today?
My wonderful parents, Susan and Bill, their unwavering support and unconditional love are things I hope to make my own girls feel. I’m incredibly lucky to have my mom and dad nearby, and in this season of life, I have a deeper appreciation for everything they do for me and my girls.
One thing you wish someone would have told you about motherhood?
It unlocks a whole new level of humor.
What advice would you share with a new mom or other moms?
Turn up the volume on that intuition. If you need help, ask for help and be open to receiving it. If you are struggling with your mental health, you are not alone and things will get better with the right support.
We love supporting local businesses – favorite places in Charleston to…
Have Dinner with Family: Home Team BBQ
Grab a Drink with Friends: Shem Creek
Have a Date Night: Graze
Spend time together as a Family: Annie’s Donuts, Citadel Beach House, Firetruck Museum, Downtown, or whatever event is happening that weekend
Outside Activities: Every park around town
Grab coffee: Vintage Coffee
