Dr. Mae J. Balaban and Associates, LLC was born out of the continued necessity to reach out in our role as child advocates in order to make more parents aware of our growing resources in the areas of special education, clinical therapies in speech-language, specific learning disabilities, child psychology, and childhood disorders including ADHD, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Depression, Autistic Spectrum Disorders, Dyslexia, Adjustment Disorders, and Anxiety Disorders.
Our office is well-known throughout New Jersey to advocates, attorneys, school systems, and parents as a place where students with special needs will receive comprehensive, independent second opinions in the areas of psychology, speech-language, education, and behavioral and executive functioning, as well as social communication skills. In addition, Balaban and Associates contracts with school systems to provide related services in counseling and speech-language therapy, as well as offering private services in all of the above disciplines. We are, however, child advocates at heart and will do our very best to provide the necessary services to ensure that the unique needs of students with special needs and disabilities are met so that they can become independent, productive, well-adjusted, self-confident, and successful members of society. We truly believe that our children are our greatest natural resource and their needs deserve to be met within our educational programs.
Meet the Providers
Dr. Joseph Plasner, Ph.D.
School Psychology
Licensed Psychologist
Executive Director of Dr. Mae J. Balaban and Associates, LLC
Cogmed Qualified Provider
Teacher of Handicapped Certification
Dr. Plasner received his BA from Rutgers University and then went on to earn his M.A. from Montclair University with credits in psychology, special education, and learning disabilities. After receiving his M.A., Dr. Plasner earned his teaching certification in special education and his Professional Diploma in School Psychology from Kean University.
Continuing his pursuit of excellence, Dr. Plasner eventually earned his doctorate in School Psychology and then his license by the State of New Jersey to conduct private practice. As a professional who has dedicated his adult life to working with special needs children, and families for over 40 years, first as a special educator, then as a school psychologist, and finally as a licensed psychologist in private practice, Dr. Plasner has sought to make a difference in young lives.
He has been owner and director of Dr. Mae J. Balaban and Associates, LLC since 2001 where he has had the opportunity to provide independent, 2nd opinions to school systems and families throughout the state of New Jersey. Dr. Plasner is proud to call himself a child advocate as he has championed many years for the rights of special needs children to have a free and appropriate public education. His experience includes administering countless psychological evaluations, conducting school program assessments, providing child and family oriented psychotherapy for a variety of problems and disorders, having working with a team of professional within a mental health program convening parenting groups, and consulting with multidisciplinary professionals, schools, and parents offering solutions to academic, psychological, social, cognitive, and behavioral/executive functioning difficulties.
Deborah Ann Weyland, M.A., LDT-C
Learning Disability Teacher Consultant
Teacher of the Handicapped and Regular Education Certified
Deborah Weyland, a partner at Dr. Mae J. Balaban and Associates, LLC since 2002, earned a BA in Education with certification in Nursery School Education and Elementary Education (K-8) from Fairleigh Dickinson University. She received her Masters Degree in Special Education at Montclair State University along with her professional diploma as a certified Learning Disability Teacher Consultant. In addition, Ms. Weyland has earned numerous credits to complete her doctorate in the field of learning disabilities and special education.
Ms. Weyland has taught general education and special education classes from k-8 and served on the Child Study Team as an LDT-C in private and public schools throughout her 35 years within the educational system. As a private practitioner, Ms. Weyland always focuses on assessing the unique, individual needs of each client, from preschool through adulthood. She is a dedicated child advocate who encourages students to do their best while advocating for the provision of proper accommodations and modifications, in concert with instructional differentiation. She believes, that presented with appropriate learning situations, her students will become more self-confident and independent as they strive to reach their potential in order to meet with success in life.
Next Steps…
If you have concerns about your child’s IEP, the appropriateness of his/her special-education program/placement, and/or whether working memory and inattentiveness interfere with learning ability, don’t hesitate to call for a free consultation! We’re here for the benefit of your child!
Even if family finances are a problem, we may be able to help!