How to Be a Better IEP Advocate for your Child.

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IEP Help for Parents

Hi there and welcome! You have found what has been called some of the best, most helpful, parent-friendly and practical IEP meeting advice for parents. Since my first blog post in 2011, it has really evolved. Glad you’re here!

You should bookmark this page and come back to it as a reference. The amount of information surrounding IEPs can be overwhelming, so take it one step at a time. Remember, you didn’t get to this point in just a day or two, it won’t be solved in a day or two.

I usually think of IEPs in three main categories.

Want better IEP meetings? It’s just one step in the process, but it’s an important one.

What is an IEP? An IEP is a complex document, with many working parts. Learn them!

If you need ideas for IEP Goals and Accommodations, click here.

If you want to dig deeper, I have more categories below.

A Day in our Shoes ~ Don’t IEP Alone

• Join our Facebook Group. (this is what you should do if you have specific questions about your child)
• Listen to the IEP Podcast
• If you would like more information about me as a blogger or my PR page.
• FTC guidelines and have disclosure policies
• I want to buy the IEP organizer I’ve been hearing so much about!

Where can I find a special education/IEP advocate?

• Start with your state’s Protection and Advocacy group. Call and ask if they have Special Education Advocates.
• Call around to other advocacy groups such as the Arc, NAMI, CF Foundation, etc. Many times these groups will be able to direct you.
• Do an internet search. Some places call them parent mentors, parent partners, parent buddies and so on.
• Some professional organizations like COPAA maintain a list on their website.
• Wrightslaw has Yellow Pages.
• Pennsylvania has Right to Education Task Forces in every county. By law, these are parent-led groups and often have knowledgeable parents leading them or participating. A good resource to find advocates.

Thanks for visiting!

• About
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Lisa Lightner

Special Education Advocate at A Day in our Shoes

Hi, I'm Lisa, owner and main writer for this site. I live in Chester County, PA with my husband and two boys. I am a Special Education Advocate and Disabilities Consultant, run this blog and the Facebook group and manage to squeeze in time for lobbying. Thanks for reading!

Join me.

Latest posts by Lisa Lightner

• The Special Education Placement Decision Making Process, explained. - November 20, 2019
• 35 “Fun” Names for Seclusion Rooms at Schools. - November 19, 2019
• What Parents Need to Know: IEP Testing and Evaluations| Re-evals | IEEs | Timelines - November 19, 2019