What is an Inclusion Classroom? How to Tell if your Child’s Classroom is Inclusive.
Inside: How do you know if your child’s inclusion classroom is truly an inclusive environment? Let’s break it down so you know what to look for.
IEP and Special Education Knowledge
This is why you’re here, right? You need IEP information or advice.
The IEP process is not for the faint of heart. If your child has an IEP, please heed my advice–as I am a Special Education Advocate having attended hundreds of IEP meetings since 2009.
The ‘IEP Special Education’ category is dedicated to providing information and resources for families and individuals navigating the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) process.
Here, you will find a wealth of resources on understanding the IEP process, from developing the IEP to working with schools to implement it.
- Understanding IDEA and your Parental Rights
- Tips and tactics for Better, More Productive IEP meetings
- IEP Goals, IEP Goal Ideas, IEP Goal Bank
- IEP accommodations and 504 accommodations
- IEP strategies and interventions
- IEP Complaint and IEP Dispute options
- Section 504 Plans
Our expert authors share their knowledge and experiences to help you understand your rights and advocate for the best possible education for your child.
Whether you’re just starting the IEP process or looking for tips and tricks to make it smoother, this category has you covered.
Parents must commit to learning and using the IEP process to meet their child’s needs.
And I’m making it easier for you. I have hundreds of articles about IEP topics and common IEP parent questions. I explain things in a language you can understand, and offer solution steps.
Stay informed and equipped with the latest resources on IEP special education.
4 Functions of Behavior and your FBA/Behavior Plan
If parents (and teachers!) have a better understanding of the four functions of behavior, the history behind the philosophy, and the many flaws, you can be a better advocate for a child exhibiting behaviors.
What is ADHD Overwhelm and How do you Overcome It?
ADHD overwhelm can be a daily struggle for those affected. Learn about coping strategies, self-care techniques, and seeking support to manage symptoms.
How to Write an IEP
How to Write an IEP for Special Education, step by step.
How to Write Meaningful and Measurable IEP Goals
Inside: Learn how to write effective IEP goals with this step-by-step guide. Discover the formula for writing measurable goals and objectives tailored to your student’s…
19 Work Completion IEP Goals and Examples
Inside: Discover how setting Work Completion IEP goals can help students with disabilities improve their academic performance and achieve success in school and beyond. Includes…
30 Task Initiation IEP Goals and Strategies (Task Avoidance)
Inside: Task Avoidance Behavior (lack of task initiation skills) is often associated with Autism and ADHD. Here are some IEP goals and strategies to assist…
IEP Goals not Met? Proving IEP Goals Were not Developed or Made with Fidelity.
Inside: Learn how to understand and troubleshoot an IEP if the child is repeatedly not meeting IEP goals. And, Proving IEP Goals Were not Developed…
After School Restraint Collapse and How To Get your IEP Team on Board.
The After School Meltdown, we’ve all seen it. Here’s what to know about after school restraint collapse, and getting your IEP team on board to support your child.
Can You Have an IEP and a 504?
Learn what an IEP provides and what a 504 provides, and why it’s not a case of “more is better. Your child should not need both.
10 Differences Between IEP vs 504 (chart)
Inside: Learn the key differences between a 504 and an IEP, so you can make the right decision for your child. Quite often, parents in…
Is an IEP a Legal Document?
Inside: Yes, an IEP is a legally binding document. Understand the framework and laws behind IEPs and what to do if you have a legal…
What Qualifies a Child for an IEP? How does a Student Qualify for an IEP?
What Qualifies a Child for an IEP? What is an IEP student? Is it only for learning disabilities, and what are they? All explained by a Special Education Advocate.
Discrepancy Model vs RTI Model for IEP Eligibility, Explained.
A discrepancy model may be used to determine IEP eligibility. Some states still use the RTI model. Learn what the difference is and how it applies to your child.
When do IEP Minutes have to be made up?
How do you calculate IEP minutes or IEP service minutes? When do IEP minutes have to be made up? How are IEP minutes determined?
How long is a benchmark goal on an IEP?
How long is a benchmark goal on an IEP? And what is the difference between IEP goal benchmarks and IEP goal objectives?
What is a Paraprofessional?
What is a Paraprofessional? Understand hiring requirements, salary and what they can offer your child.
What is SLD Specific Learning Disability on an IEP?
SLD Specific Learning Disability is one of the IDEA eligibility categories. Here’s what you need to know about characteristics of SLD, examples and definitions.
How to Get a 1:1 Aide/Para Added to an IEP.
What to know about getting a 1:1 aide or para on your child’s IEP. From what qualifies a child for a 1:1 aide to getting the para on the IEP.
35 Common Special Education Acronyms, Terms, and Glossary (with PDF)
Is your head spinning at IEP meetings because of all the acronyms? Here are some of the most commonly used Disability and Special Education Acronyms. Free printable!
Revolutionizing Accessibility: 100 Low Tech Assistive Technology Solutions for Classrooms
100 Examples of Low Tech Assistive Technology in the classroom; suggestions for reading, writing, autism, dyslexia and much more.
Other Health Impairments: What is OHI on an IEP? (definition + examples)
What is OHI on the IEP? A thorough explanation of the Other Health Impairments eligibility category, including ADHD and its listing under OHI Eligibility.
What is Assistive Technology? 15 IEP Goals for Assistive Technology and AAC
Inside: Take a deep dive into learning about AT Assistive Technology, and how it differs from AAC. And 15 IEP goals for assistive technology.
List of 504 Accommodations for Anxiety
A printable list of Accommodations for Anxiety for an IEP or 504 Plan, to get you on the path to a more peaceful and calm day for your child at school.
Printable List of 504 Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
Inside: Browse, print, and use this comprehensive list of 504 Accommodations for Students with Disabilities.
11 Examples of IEP Violations and What to Do Next (IEP Complaint Options)
Uncovering the Two Types of IEP Violations: Are Your Child’s Rights Being Upheld?
Dear IEP Team: Don’t Call Me Mom.
Does your IEP team call you “Mom” at IEP meetings? Are you comfortable with that? Let’s explore the pros and cons to this common gesture, and ways to change it if you wish.
Denied an IEP or 504 Because Grades are Good? What To Do When “His Grades Are Fine!”
What to do if you are denied an IEP because “his grades are fine!”
504 Plan Accommodations for Juvenile Arthritis
If your child has juvenile arthritis, they may require a 504 plan and 504 accommodations to be successful at school. Here are some juvenile arthritis accommodations.
How to Effectively Communicate with your School IEP Team
Professional, accurate, written communication is essential to the IEP and Special Education Process. Tips to get you on the path to having your concerns heard.
What is an IEP Team? Who are the required IEP Team Members?
What does IDEA say about required members of an IEP team? And what are their roles and responsibilities? All explained by an Special Education Advocate.
Who Attends an IEP meeting? Can I exclude people?
Who Attends IEP Meetings I have a friend and there are 18 school staff people at her IEP meetings. I’ve mentioned many times before how…
How to Write Word Problem IEP Goals (with examples)
IEP Goals for Math Word Problems For many of us, reminiscing about our school days and doing word problems does not bring happy memories. Finally,…
50 Math IEP Goals and Objectives (Printable List PDF)
Math IEP Goals I will never forget this one day when Kevin was a preschooler. We had an IEP meeting, and one of his proposed…
48 Social Skills IEP Goals for all Ages, including Objectives.
Social Skills IEP Goals It’s no secret that many kids with disabilities struggle socially and struggle to build and maintain friendships. When Brian tells me…
What to Do When the School Wants to Remove IEP Services
Can the School Remove Supports and Services from the IEP? This is probably the number one reason that parents dread IEP meetings. Right? For the…
School and IEP Retaliation: The Shocking Truth About Schools’ Dark Side.
When Your School Calls CPS Sometimes I hear the stories and think “How, how did we get here?” And, many times I’ve seen a parent…
IEP Laws and IDEA Regulations, Explained: IDEA Laws for all 50 States
IEP Laws and Regulations Several years ago, I was at a fundraiser. It was for an agency that assists disabled people. So, naturally, they had…
Free Printable IEP Meeting Checklist: How to Prepare for an IEP Meeting
IEP Meeting Checklist This is an ancient post that I have been meaning to update for ages. I see the image show up on Pinterest,…
Setting SMART Goals: Examples, Worksheets and Templates
Inside: Learn everything you need to know to start setting SMART goals, including the SMART goals acronym, smart goal examples and smart goal worksheets. Goals…
What is Proprioception? IEP Strategies and Accommodations
Tell me if you’ve heard of a scenario like this. It’s the perfect example of a child who lacks proprioceptive skills. Students are in a…
What is IDEA Child Find?
“That’s a Child Find issue.You need to report them for Child Find!” If your child has an IEP, chances are you have heard these phrases.
25 Impulse Control IEP Goals and Accommodations
Many students struggle with Impulse Control Disorders, secondary to other learning disabilities. Here are goal and accommodation ideas to add to an IEP or 504 plan.
20 Do’s and Don’ts for an IEP Meeting (especially if it’s tomorrow!)
If your IEP meeting is tomorrow, you don’t have much time. Read these sanity-saving tips so that you’re ready, but not overwhelmed.
What are Temporal Words? (includes anchor chart)
Some studies show that autistic people may struggle with the perception of time. Remember, time can be abstract, so it is our responsibility to give…
5 Must Read FAQs About Transferring an IEP if you Move
Does your child’s IEP transfer from state to state? Can you remain in the same school if you move? Here’s what you need to know about transferring an IEP.
What are the 6 Principles of IDEA? (and How to Apply at every IEP Meeting)
6 Principles of Special Education I have to open this post with a shout-out to blog reader Mike T. He emailed me a link to…
Inflectional or Inflected Endings: Charts, Examples, and IEP Goals
Many of our learning-disabled kids struggle to communicate. The causes vary, from expressive or receptive language disorder to hyperlexia, processing, or even dyslexia. If you…
How to Easily Track IEP Goals and Monitor IEP Progress.
IEP Goal Tracking IEP data tracking and progress monitoring in special education are among the most important things about an IEP. And yet tracking IEP…
Are You Gaslighted at School or IEP Meetings? {Spoiler Alert: Probably!}
Gaslighting at School I remember the first time I was gaslighted at an IEP meeting. It probably wasn’t the first time, but it was the…
8 Tips to Prevent and Get Out of Truancy Charges
I looked at the mom/client sitting next to me at truancy court and gave her hand a squeeze. She looked up and gave me a…
What is FAPE? 8 Special Education Court Cases that Defined our Kids’ Rights.
FAPE This trend is really bothersome to me. I have recently had conversations with several different parents who are unfamiliar with the term FAPE or…
504 Plans, explained.
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act is a federal law designed to protect the rights of individuals with disabilities in programs and activities that receive…
What is Dysgraphia? Symptoms, Treatment and 17 IEP Accommodations
IEP for Dysgraphia “Dysgraphia? What’s is dysgraphia? I’ve never heard of it!” This is a scenario that has come up many times to parents in…
Title 1 Schools and Your IEP, Explained.
When the ESEA was enacted over 50 years ago, one concept borne out of that was Title 1 and Title 1 schools. Despite being around…
48 IEP and 504 Accommodations for Trauma or PTSD
IEP or 504 for Trauma or PTSD It’s amazing how we go through life, just doing what we do, not knowing what we don’t know….
When an IEP Team Tells a Parent, “We Don’t Do That Here.”
We don’t do that here. I got two inquiries recently that are very similar. Both parents asked for something on their child’s IEP and were…
Can Schools Only Offer a Virtual IEP Meeting instead of In Person? | Sample Virtual IEP Meeting Agenda
Virtual IEP Meetings In the first quarter of 2020, we had no idea how much our lives were going to change. Not just for the…
53 Measurable IEP Goals and Objectives for Writing and Written Expression
IEP Goals for Writing Parents can certainly assist the IEP team with developing goals. One IEP area that I find parents and teachers struggle with…
35 Common Questions about IEP Meetings, Answered by a Special Education Advocate
IEP Meeting Questions Over the past decade, I have attended hundreds of IEP meetings and met with hundreds of families. And, with the large chat…
23 Food Allergy Accommodations to Include in your 504 Plan
504 Plans for Food Allergies On this website, you will find many articles that discuss the overuse of 504 plans. They were never intended to…
40 IEP Goals for Executive Functioning Skills
Executive Functions IEP Goals Executive function is an umbrella term for cognitive processes such as planning, working memory, attention, problem solving, verbal reasoning, inhibition, mental…
Printable List of Executive Functioning Accommodations for an IEP or 504 Plan
If your child is struggling with executive function disorder, here are some accommodation and strategies to add to your IEP or 504 plan.
Executive Dysfunction Test: What IEP Assessments to Consider
Which IEP Tests will look for Executive Functioning Deficits? Executive functioning skills have been quite a buzzword and trend in special education over the past…
504 Accommodations for ADHD (PDF List)
504 Plan ADHD It is estimated that 5-12% of all American kids have some type of ADHD. If you found this Accommodations Guide, chances are…
How to Build a Meaningful IEP for Autism (PDF Sample IEP for Autism with Goals)
IEP for Autism For almost 10 years, readers have been asking me questions about an IEP and autism. It’s quite common in our chat forums…
What is an IEP? And does your child need one?
IEP For as much time as I spent talking and teaching parents about IEPs, I don’t think I’ve ever actually explained what an IEP and…
Is My Teacher or Therapist IDEA Qualified? What if the teacher is not a good fit for my child?
How to Find Out if a Teacher or Therapist is Certified “How do I check if a teacher or therapist is qualified?” “I bet she’s…
What is Self Regulation? 18 IEP Goals and Accommodations for Self-Regulation Skills
Emotional self-regulation is a necessary executive functioning skill that all kids need to develop. Some will require direct instruction.
Why IEP Parents Should Never Agree to the “Let’s just Wait and See”
Let’s Just Wait and See I’d be willing to be my house and my car that 99% of all IEP parents have experienced the “Let’s…
Can a School District Refuse to Evaluate a Child for Special Education?
Refused IEP Evaluations Let me be blunt. If your child’s IEP evaluations suck, the rest of your IEP will be garbage. Without good evaluations, the…
My IEP is Not Working (what to do next)
How do I know if the IEP is working? Your child getting an IEP is not the final step in your IEP journey. It is…
What does LEA stand for in Special Education? Understand the LEA Role at your IEP Meeting.
Who or what is the LEA in Special Education? What does it stand for? Can I exclude them from my IEP meeting?
30 Measurable IEP Goals for Handwriting, including OT, Fine Motor and Fluency
IEP Goals for Handwriting | Handwriting issues can be much more than a fine motor planning issue. It could be dysgraphia, dyslexia, vision issues, or something else entirely.
15 Super Relatable IEP Memes for Moms | IEP Meeting Memes
Looking for that perfect meme to describe how you feel about IEPs and IEP meetings? Here you go–everything from Hey Girl to Escape Room to RBF.
Can IEP Assessments and Evaluations be Done Virtually? What is a Virtual IEP Evaluation?
Now that quarantine is over, many school districts are still providing many evaluations and support virtually. Here’s what parents need to know.
Free IEP Goal Bank with 1000+ Measurable IEP Goals and Objectives separated by Domain
The Ultimate IEP Goal Bank! A free list of IEP Goals and IEP Objectives separated by category or area of need; includes a PDF of IEP goals.
Your Child’s Strengths | 127 Student Strength Examples to Swipe for your IEP
Sometimes we get so wrapped up in getting our kids’ needs met, we forget to address a Student’s Strengths. What are your child’s strengths? Grabe these ideas for your IEP.
Understanding the Emotional Disturbance IEP Category: IEP Goals, Accommodations, Examples
Emotional Disturbance on your IEP: Understand the criteria for this category, plus a list of IEP goals, accommodations, and teaching strategies.
39 Behavior Goals for an IEP including Work/Task Completion
If your child has negative behaviors at school, they should receive an FBA and a Behavior Plan. Here are behavior goal ideas for your IEP.
40 IEP Goals for Reading Comprehension, including Strategies
Everything you need for Reading and Reading Comprehension and your IEP: IEP goals, strategies, evaluations, and more.
Off the Books Suspensions: What to Do When the School Calls You
Does your child keep getting sent home from school? Is the school constantly calling you to come pick them up due to behaviors? That’s an informal suspension.
IEP Transition Goals Bank: Developing Meaningful Goals beyond “Food, Filth and Flowers.”
Parents, you need to take ownership of the IEP transition goals and process for your child. Here’s how to start.
I Was Offered a 504/RTI/MTSS When I Asked for an IEP | Next Steps
You think your child needs an IEP. The school offered a 504, RTII or MTSS. So, what’s the difference, and what are your options? Next steps for parents.
IEP Present Levels of Performance PLOP | Examples | Checklist
IEP Present Levels Ask almost any Special Education Advocate, and they’ll tell you that Present Levels is the most important section of the IEP. Present…
Why a Doctor’s Note is not the IEP Slam Dunk you Think it is.
Do IEP Teams have to honor Doctors’ Notes? I won’t ever forget the interaction I had with one of Kevin’s neurologists. We had a regular…
Inference for Kids | Definition | IEP Goals and Objectives | Resources
Inference Definition for Kids “Mommy, is that Lady Gaga?” When my youngest was a toddler, he LOVED Lady Gaga. I have no idea why or…
What Are the 14 IDEA Disability Categories? Does it Matter Which Box is Checked?
14 Categories of Disabilities in IDEA There are 14 categories of disabilities listed in IDEA. Autism Deaf-blindness Deafness Developmental delay (DD) Emotional disturbance (ED) Hearing…
Can you get an IEP in High School?
High School IEP Surprisingly, I am asked the question about IEPs in High School quite often. More than I am comfortable with, but more on…
What is Phonemic Awareness? | IEP Assessments | 5 Fun Effective Strategies for Parents
Phonemic Awareness The other day, my 13-year-old sports son fan and I had a short but confusing discussion. I knew he was looking at a…
10 Common Q&A about Private Schools and IEPs | Special Education
Private Schools and IEPs This topic makes me sad. Because it’s so super deflating for parents. Many times, attending a private school is a tradition…
Due Process Hearing in Special Education | 6 Tips from a Hearing Officer
Can you Win a Due Process Hearing without a lawyer? We’d do anything for our kids. Anything. And since some of us have been dealt…
40 IEP Transition Goals for Students on the Path to Postsecondary | Jobs
IEP Transition Goals for Postsecondary or Job I was leery of how I could use the word “postsecondary” and not create any confusion. To be…
30 IEP Goals Addressing Sexual Relationships
Sexual Relationship IEP Goals Sexual relationships are a part of every adult’s life. Whether or not we want to think about it or talk about…
50 IEP Goals for Safety and Community Participation
Personal Safety and Community Participation Originally, I had this giant article with a list of over 300 independent living skills. Many of you, teachers and…
42 IEP Goals for Personal Hygiene and Medications | Menstruation
Personal Hygiene IEP Goals Personal hygiene skills is something that many of us take for granted. If you do not pick up on social cues,…
41 Independent Living Skills and IEP Goals | Shopping and Banking
Shopping and Banking Independent Living Skills Originally, I had this giant article with a list of over 300 independent living skills. Many of you, teachers…
50 IEP Goals for Independent Living Skills | Transportation | Renting
Transition IEP Goals We all want our kids to live as independently as possible. Sometimes when I think about it, I kinda can’t believe that…
100 Functional Life Skills IEP Goals | Independent Functioning
Independent Functioning IEP Goals for Life Skills Before I get started with this list of Life Skills Functional Goals for an IEP, I want to…
What is a Life Skills Classroom? Is it the Same as a Resource Room?
Life Skills Classroom | Special Education Resource Room I really hate the term life skills. I mean, after all, we ALL need life skills. It’s…
55 Functional Money Skills and IEP Goals | Modern Money Skills
Functional Money Skills Remember when we were little, and we thought nickels were worth more than dimes, just because they were bigger? Ah, those were…
Vocabulary IEP Goals
Once a child has been identified as a student with a learning disability, it can be tough for the IEP team to come to agreement…
The IEP Team Met Without Me!
The IEP Team had a Meeting without You. Let’s be honest, not everyone fully understands the IEP process and what it entails. It’s a complicated…
How to Get a 504 Plan | 3 Easy-to-Follow Steps
How to get a 504 Plan Before I get to the steps of how to ask for a 504 plan for your child, I feel…
IEP Issues | 7 Issues Most Parents Are Causing
IEP Issues Hurdles slow you down. If you know they are there, you can run faster than if you don’t know they are there. But…
Due Process Special Education | 6 Critical Points to Consider Before Filing
Due Process Special Education Should I file for special education due process? Special Education Due Process is one of a parent’s rights in Procedural Safeguards….
Auditory Processing Disorder | APD | IEP Goals | Accommodations
Auditory Processing Disorder The other day, my younger son and I were on my tablet. We were choosing team gear to purchase for his new…
Sample IEP Goals for Autism Elopement
Autism and Elopement One concept or behavior that you may be exposed to as an IEP parent is elopement. Unfortunately, I am not talking about…
How to Have Meaningful Parent Participation in the IEP Process
IEP Parent Participation Nothing disappoints me more than when I hear about a parent not learning the IEP process and maximizing their rights in the…
Working Memory IEP Goals | Examples | Accommodations
Working Memory IEP goals Does your child struggle with Working Memory issues, and you want them added to the IEP? Have you heard parents talk…
IEP Goal Considerations for Middle School and High School Students | Accommodations
Middle School and High School IEPs Before we get started on things to think about for your middle school IEP or high school IEP, there…
History of Special Education in USA | Timeline
When was IDEA passed? IDEA was first passed in 1975 as Federal legislation. However, its history began much before that. The history of special education…
The Many Flaws of School FBAs and Behavior Plans
FBAs and Behavior Plans FBAs and Behavior Plans are a common component of IEPs. And, after 12 years of advocacy, I’m seeing the same issues…
Special Education Terms and Terminology | PDF | IEP Terms to Know
Special Education Terms Look, since this is a monster of an article, I’ll be brief. I’ve been sitting on this for literally years–years ago someone…
How to Hire an IEP Attorney for Your Special Education Dispute
IEP Attorney For many families, there comes a time in your IEP journey that you and the school reach an impasse. You’ve gone back and…
Maybe the Most Important IEP–>Preschool IEP to Kindergarten IEP.
Special Education Kindergarten When you hear most special ed parents discussing “transition,” most of the time they are talking about the older transition when the…
How to Not Cry at your IEP Meeting.
How to Not Cry at your IEP Meeting. Is it any wonder that Moms cry at IEP Meetings? Pretend I’ve invited you to your child’s…
Pros and Cons of Homeschooling | Can I Get an IEP if I Homeschool?
Pros and Cons of Homeschooling In recent years, many of us were thrown into some version of homeschooling that we never planned on. Those experiences…
IEP Vision Statement Examples | Samples | Free Workbook
Why your IEP needs a Vision Statement It’s called the Black Hole of 21. Once you are comfortably settled into the IEP world and get…
Can a School or IEP Team Demand Access to Medical Records or Information?
Can a School Demand Medical Information? I can’t believe that I am even doing a blog post on this topic. But it’s only Tuesday and…
The Secret that will have you Stop Stressing over IEP Meetings. Yes, really.
How to Stop Stressing over IEP Meetings I was waiting in the lobby. Mom pulled into the parking lot, made her way towards me. “I’m…
What is an IRLP? Individual Remote Learning Plans, explained.
IRLP Individual Remote Learning Plan Yesterday a blog reader asked if I could further explain IRLP. IRLP stands for Individual Remote Learning Plan. It’s a…
How to Navigate Sex Ed and an IEP
Sex Ed and the Disabled Child Yep! I’m going there! This topic makes some people uncomfortable and I know it’s difficult to even think of…
Is AngelSense Legal in Schools? Can I add it to my IEP?
AngelSense My friend and fellow advocate Susan loves to tell this story. One morning she woke up and her son was gone. He is autistic…
Fine Motor IEP Goals | 50 Fine Motor Goals for All Ages
Fine Motor Skills on your IEP Remember this? Did you know that way back when…when Tupperware invented this toy, that you were using fine motor…
Epilepsy IEP and 504 Plans | Accommodations | Examples
Seizure Action Plan I could handle the not talking. I could handle the stimming. I could handle the developmental delays. And the picky eating, and…
Retaking Tests | Why IEP Teams Should Rethink this Accommodation
Retaking Tests Accommodation Allowing a student to retake a test is a very common IEP accommodation. And, at first glance, it seems like a reasonable…
IEP and 504 Accommodations for Distance and Online Learning.
Online and Virtual Learning Accommodations Some kids really struggle with online distance learning, and need some accommodation ideas. Particularly those with attention, sensory, and other…
How to Get Extended Time on Tests | IEP | 504 | Best Practices
Extended Time on Tests Back when I was in high school (and no, not leaning on my cane and wagging my finger) we did not…
How do I get Shortened School Days with an IEP or 504 plan?
Modified School Days and IEPs If your child has an IEP or 504, can they get a shortened school day or modified school schedule as…
IEP School Refusal | Goals and Accommodations for School Avoidance
School Refusal and Avoidance Think about this for a minute. What is the worst job you ever had? The job you hated more than anything?…
IEP Compensatory Education | Compensatory Services | Definition | How to Request
Compensatory Education and Compensatory Services If your school district does not give your child the special education services they are supposed to, you may be…
Yes, your child can be tested for Dyscalculia | List of Dyscalculia Tests
Is there a Dyscalculia Test? This is a scenario that has been coming up more frequently lately. As parents become more informed, we are better…
What are Social Awareness Skills? | Definition | Examples | EQ
Social Awareness You know how when we were little, and you wanted a sleepover with a friend, and one of our parents would come home,…
How to Request IEP Evaluations | 25 IEP Request Letter Samples
Sample Letter to Request IEP Evaluations You will definitely want to bookmark or pin this post. I have often said that one of the biggest…
IEP Testing and Evaluations | What IEP Tests should I ask for?
IEP Evaluations Different variations of questions come up about IEP evaluations all the time. Parents are unclear about timelines, what tests to ask for and…
IEP Re-Evaluations | What Parents Need to Know | Timelines
IEP Re-evaluations Ok, so here we go. I used to have IEP re-evaluation information in my post about IEP evaluations. But, I’ve since decided that…
Can I See the School’s Video of an Incident with my Child? | Your Rights Explained.
Watching a School’s CCTV of your Child If you ask the average American, they will tell you that their activities are captured by a video…
IEP Advocate | Should You Hire One? Where to Find One.
IEP Advocate “$2000?!?!” my husband exclaimed. “Do we really need this for him?” “Become an IEP/Special Education Advocate!” the flyer said. We were looking at…
What is Specially Designed Instruction in Special Education? | Examples | SDIs
Specially Designed Instruction Specially Designed Instruction, or SDIs, is actually one of my favorite things to talk about when it comes to IEPs. The name…
Yes, a School can put IEP Parents on a Communication Plan.
Communication Plan for Parents I remember I was working with this client one time. We had held an IEP meeting, and we were wrapping up…
50 Kindergarten IEP Goals | Reading | Math | Writing
Kindergarten IEP Goals and Objectives So, there’s a reason why I am now just doing this post after the blog is more than 10 years…
10 OSEP Dear Colleague and Guidance Letters every IEP Parent should Read.
OSEP Dear Colleague Letters Parents, here is another great tool for your advocacy toolkit. And yes, another issue that was brought to my attention in…
Redshirting Your Kindergartener | Pros and Cons with an IEP
Delaying your Child’s Kindergarten One popular theme among parents is redshirting your kindergartener. That is, the practice of not enrolling them in kindergarten the year…
35 Self Advocacy IEP Goals | Self Determination | PDF | Examples
Self-Advocacy IEP Goals We do so much for our kids, and we mean well. But time marches on whether we want it to or not….
How to Stay Positive when you Hate IEP Meetings | IEP Gossip
IEP Negativity Recently there was a lively discussion in our Facebook group. A teacher said something inappropriate to a student. Not sexual or anything like…
5 Times when Parents Must Write to their IEP Team.
The IEP Process As many of you know, along with this website, there is a very large Facebook group. And, at least once a week…
Can we make up missed therapy? | 5 Tips for Handling Missed Therapy Time at School
What can I do about missed therapy hours at school? I hear this question a lot. And this is an area where there is a…
Are IEPs just for academics? {Spoiler Alert: No!}
Yes, your IEP can Have Academic and Non-Academic Goals. Today, I had heard this phrase three times before 6 am. Yes, really. See, every morning…
7 Red Flags that your IEP is Garbage. {and what to do about it!}
I’ve attended more IEP meetings than I can count. Or even care to count. I get it–parents only call in a Special Education Advocate when…
How to Understand your Child’s IEP Evaluations | Preparing for an IEP Eligibility Meeting
Interpreting IEP Evaluations For me, both as a Special Education Advocate and a Parent, I find the hardest part of the IEP process to be…
What is Written Expression?
Written Expression Writing is not a simple task. It involves a complex process of using and coordinating various cognitive processes. Thus, a lot of students,…
How to Get Started with an IEP For Your Child.
Getting Started in the World of IEPs IEP stands for Individual Education Plan. It is just what it says. Children with disabilities are entitled to…
Advocate’s Tip: These Few Short Sentences on your Child’s IEP Could Prevent Suspensions.
Important items that must be on your child’s IEP. “I got a call to pick up my daughter today because she put a child in…
What is An IEP Vocational Assessment | An Important Part of IEP Transition
IEP Vocational Assessment “She likes to braid hair.” Several years ago, I was an Educational Surrogate for a teen in a neighboring county. That sentence…
Following Directions and Learning Disabilities | Accommodations and Strategies for School and Home
Following Directions Many people — kids and adults — have trouble following directions. They don’t seem to “listen” when they’re asked to do a task, whether it’s…
For Parents: Receptive Language vs Expressive Language Disorder | Receptive vs Express Language Skills and Strategies | IEP Goals
Receptive vs Expressive Language If your child is being evaluated for Early Intervention or Special Education Services, you may be introduced to the terms ‘receptive…
Common Parent IEP Mistakes + How to Fix Them | IEP Tips for Parents
IEP Tips for Parents Raise your hand if you just LOVE going to IEP meetings. (waits) No one? Raise your hand if you drink a…
Gifted with an IEP | Understanding 2E Kids | Twice-Exceptional | Gifted Students with Learning Disabilities
Understanding 2E Kids Twice-exceptional or 2E kids have both exceptional abilities and disabilities. In some ways, they are gifted. However, they may also face developmental…
ESY | Extended School Year | ESY Eligibility Criteria | ESY Services
ESY Extended School Year What is ESY? ESY (extended school year) is anything that extends beyond the normal six hours a day, 180 days a…
When your child misses school because there is no nurse or aide | Action Steps for Parents
When your Aide or Para is Absent This issue has me really ticked off lately. Mostly because of how often it is happening. “I’m so…
What Happens if Parents refuse to sign the IEP?
What happens if I don’t sign the IEP? Short answer: Nothing. In most cases. Only 2-3 states require a parent’s signature on the IEP to…
Do I have to tell the IEP team about my child’s medication? Can Schools Force Medication? | IEP and 504 Issues
Can Schools Force or Recommend Medication? Can Schools force medication? Can a teacher ask a student if they took their medication? Can a school tell…
What is RTI in School? What does it mean? RTI vs. MTSS
RTI Response to Intervention | MTSS What is RTI at school? Who determines what RTI looks like for a kid? Can a parent refuse RTI?…
Can a School Suspend a Student with an IEP? | 5 action steps, with or without an IEP or 504 Plan
Can you Suspend a Student with an IEP? It happened again. You were at work, in the middle of…working. And the phone rings again. You…
IEP Progress Monitoring with Accelerated Readers? | AR Books | Reading Levels
AR Reading Levels The other day I did a post on the OG Approach and I thought that talking about AR Reading Levels would be…
Orton Gillingham Approach | What is it? | IEP Tips | Certification
Orton Gillingham If your child has dyslexia or is a struggling reader, you may have had someone suggest Orton Gillingham to you. Or perhaps suggested…
Your IEP Meeting | What to Bring | What to Expect
What to Expect at an IEP Meeting My first IEP meeting did not go well. Well, wait. Kevin has been receiving services since he was…
IEP at a Glance Template | Free | Printable | Editable
IEP at a Glance When I was a special educator in Maryland, we provided an IEP Snapshot to all of our general educators who had…
How Long Can a Child be on a School Bus? + Tips for IEP Issues.
Maximum Length of School Bus Ride Did you know that some school students, particularly those in rural areas such as Reservations, may ride the school…
Manifestation Determination Meeting | What It Is | How to Prepare | Examples
Manifestation Determination Speaking to you as a parent, I hope that you never have to know what a Manifestation Determination is. Or that you never…
When does an IEP end? IEP Age Range
When does an IEP end? When does an IEP end? How do you end an IEP? What is the IEP age range?I know what you’re…
What are IEP Related Services in Special Education | Definition | Eligibility
What are IEP Related Services? According to IDEA, these are the related services in Special Education. audiology counseling services early identification family training-counseling and home…
How Long Does the School Have to Respond to an IEP Meeting Request? What about an Emergency?
Parent Request for IEP Meeting Timeline IDEA does not define this. Some state special education regulations have set a time limit on how long the…
Special Education Timelines | When Should the School Respond to IEP Requests or Evals?
IEP Timelines How long does a school have to: respond to IEP email? schedule an IEP meeting? evaluate my child? begin services in a new…
Requesting an IEP Meeting | Who | How | Letter Templates
How to Request an IEP Meeting This one should be filed under “blog posts I never thought I’d have to do.” I never realized how…
What to Do if you Disagree with your IEP Team about Goals.
I don’t want that IEP goal. I know I’ve told the story several times. The story of my first IEP meeting with my school district….
Educational Autism | What’s the difference between a Medical and a School Diagnosis of Autism?
Educational Autism I’m sure if this has happened to you, it sure felt like a gaslighting moment. You have a child. The child sees various…
4 Phrases that Create more Chaos than Cooperation in IEPs.
Confusing Legal IEP Terms There are some words in the IEP process that seem to create more chaos than cooperation. And darnit parents, there are…
57 Functional Communication IEP Goals | Transition | Vocation | Recreation
Functional Communication Goals One of the biggest obstacles that some IEP students have is lack of appropriate, functional communication. A lack of functional communication is…
Should I Bring Food to the IEP Meeting? | Pros and Cons
Should I bring donuts to the IEP meeting? I understand you want to be nice. You want to be the “cool parent.” But I still…
What to Wear to a Parent Teacher Conference or IEP Meeting
Does it matter what you wear to an IEP meeting? Yes. “I have an IEP meeting tomorrow, should I dress as a Storm Trooper?” Uh,…
{Study Skills} IEP Goals | Accommodations | Note Taking
Organization/Study Skills IEP Goals I’m a good learner, but I’m terrible at studying. Always have been. Other than re-reading chapters and notes and rote memorization,…
Special Education Classroom Observation: Rules for Parents Visiting Classrooms
Special Education Classroom Observation “Can I observe my child’s classroom?” I’ve been hearing this one a lot lately. And unfortunately, this issue often brings out…
Toilet Training and Older Kids | IEP Goals | School Protocols | Diaper Recommendations
Toilet Training an Older Child I am wildly passionate about kids being toilet trained if it is a possibility. I never dreamed I would be…
When you Cannot Afford an IEP Special Education Advocate or Attorney | Tips for Parents
Cost of IEP Advocates/Attorneys Your child is struggling. As a mom, you’re stressed and you’re frustrated. You want to hire an IEP advocate. Everyone keeps…
What is an IFSP? | A Parent Guide to Early Intervention Services | IDEA Part C
Early Intervention IDEA Part C Kevin is my first born. Like many new moms with internet access, I was um, shall we say ‘hypervigilant’ about…
Child Being Bullied at School? | Advocacy Tips | Legal Rights | Gebser Letter Example
Bullying at School Bullying at school. I hate it. It’s gross and happens everywhere-on the bus, at school. My standard disclaimer is that I am…
Parent-Teacher Conferences | What to Ask | Special Education | Distance Learning
Parent-Teacher Conference Like other areas of our life, Parent-Teacher conferences can look different for a child with an IEP. A Parent-Teacher meeting can be stressful…
Does my child have to ride the Special Ed Bus to get Transportation on our IEP or 504?
Special Education Transportation “It’s the bus. It’s always the bus!” My former supervisor used to say that so often. So many issues around a school…
IEP Cover Page | Double-Check This Item on the Front Page of your Child’s IEP.
IEP Cover Page Imagine for a moment that you are a teacher and it’s the first day of class. Every child is wearing a baseball…
Yes! Parental Consent is Required to Change an IEP.
Can an IEP be changed without parental consent? For the purposes of this post, it assumes that you (parent) already have an initial IEP in…
Parent Training on your IEP | Yes, it’s a thing!
Parent Counseling and Training on an IEP One little-known feature of IDEA is the section on parent training. Parents are often unaware that they can…
Can I get an IEP in College? What to know about 504 Plan Accommodations.
IEP in College? No, there are no IEPs in college. That’s a statement of fear that I hear from a lot of parents. And, it’s…
Community-Based Instruction CBI | IEP Goals | Data Collection
CBI on your IEP Since my son has had CBI on his IEP for almost a decade, I can always spot the CBI trips when…
40 Sample IEP Counseling Goals | IEP Counseling Related Services
Should your Child Have Counseling IEP Goals? Student counseling is listed as a Related Service in IDEA. Actually, Parent Counseling and Training is too. But…
How To Write a Parent Concerns Letter for your IEP that Gets Noticed | Templates
How to Write IEP Parent Concerns. I’m going to wag my finger at you–from this day forward, you do a Parent Concerns Letter for your…
How to Request Homebound Placement | Examples | Sentence Starters
Homebound Placement during the Pandemic Normally, I’m against homebound IEP placement for most students. After all, it is one of the most restrictive placement options….
All About IEP Goals | Parent FAQs, answered.
IEP Goals How many goals should an IEP have? Who writes IEP goals? Can parents submit IEP goal ideas? What if my child doesn’t meet…
What does LRE stand for in Special Education? | Least Restrictive Environment Continuum, explained.
What is LRE Least Restrictive Environment? Students must be educated in the least restrictive environment to the maximum extent possible, and cannot use budget issues…
Can a Parent Record an IEP Meeting? | Recording Laws for 50 States
Recording School IEP Meetings Can you (audio) record your IEP meeting? It’s a question that I’ve seen parents and advocates discuss quite a bit. And…
FERPA vs. HIPAA | Only one applies to IEPs!
HIPAA vs FERPA It’s exhausting. This comes up so often in the group and it’s exhausting. Every few weeks, a teacher will say something, or…
IDEA Procedural Safeguards | The IEP Parents’ Rights Document that most Parents never read.
Special Education Procedural Safeguards Ok, finger-wagging time. Because I know that a very large percentage of parents are not reading your IEP Procedural Safeguards. I can…
3 Indications that You Have an Insufficient 504 Plan at School. (And How to Make it Right!)
Student 504 Plan 504 Plans certainly have their place in our education system. After all, they guarantee access to a student’s education, when a disability…
IEP Unilateral Placement | What is it? How do I do it?
IEP Unilateral Placements One of the greatest IDEA misunderstandings among parents is the concept of Unilateral Placements. There is a lot of misinformation about them,…
How to Help Kids with Dyslexia | Creating Meaningful, Measurable IEP Goals
IEP for Dyslexia Dyslexia is a type of learning disability that is a language-based disorder characterized by problems learning to read or interpret words, letters…
Understanding IEP Eligibility | A Guide for Parents | Flowchart
IEP Eligibility Your child has an IEP. Or they do not. Perhaps they were found ineligible. Maybe you were offered a 504 or RTI instead…
What happens after an IEP Meeting? And what to do next.
AFTER the IEP Meeting It seems that many parents anticipate and prepare for an IEP meeting and then that’s it. Often, it’s very anti-climatic, all…
What can I ask for on my child’s IEP? And how do I get my team to agree?
What to Ask for on your IEP “I don’t know what to ask for on my IEP!” That question comes up often in our Facebook…
IEE Independent Education Evaluations | When, Why and How to Request One.
IEE Independent Education Evaluations IEE stands for Independent Education Evaluation. It is a provision of IDEA, listed in the Parents’ Rights Booklet, or Procedural Safeguards….
Should you Move to a Better School District for your Child’s IEP?
Should you move to a more IEP friendly school district? It’s not a very popular trend, but this does happen occasionally. Families who move from…
Section 504, IEPs and Sports | Extra-Curricular Activities | What to Know for Inclusion.
Section 504 and Extracurricular Activities The short answer is yes. “Participation in extracurricular athletics can be a critical part of a student’s overall educational experience….
Goals, grades, and your IEP. What’s most important?
Goals, Grades, and Special Education I was in a heated IEP meeting one time, and a teacher angrily blurted out, “What do you want from…
Divorce, Custody and Your IEP | What to do when you and the Ex don’t agree.
IEPs and Divorce Sometimes the ‘happily ever after’ just isn’t. Things change and you find yourself divorcing, and rebuilding a life you thought was forever….
My child has an IEP Behavior Plan. He’s still getting in trouble.
IEP Behavior Plans: Not Working This is coming up more frequently in the Facebook group. Your child had an FBA, they have a behavior plan…
How to Get an Effective Behavior Plan on your IEP | FBA
Functional Behavior Assessments FBA In the IEP process, there is little that bothers me more than when I hear about one of our kids repeatedly…
14 Tips for Writing an OCR Complaint that gets Noticed | IEP | 504
OCR Complaint I know, we complain too much. What can I say, it’s a complaints-based system. One of the remedies that parents have in special…
Why More Parents Should Consider Facilitated IEP Meetings.
Facilitated IEP Meetings My very first experience with a facilitated IEP meeting was not a good one. Things were very tense between the parents and…
Parents, You are the IEP Police. Yes, you!
IEP Parent Participation This is a concept that I really need parents to grab on to and internalize. I hope that this brings you that…
Neuropsych Evals and Your IEP | Do you need it? | How to get one.
Neuropsych Evaluations If your child has an IEP, and you’ve been immersed in the world of special education, at some point you have probably heard…
Walking at Graduation when you’re Not Graduating (because of an IEP 13th year).
Can you walk at graduation without graduating from high school? As one of my attorney friends put it, “This question seems to come up every…
What’s the Difference between IEP Accommodations and Modifications? | Examples
Special Education Accommodations Special Education Accommodations, Modifications and Supports/Services: All three of those are a huge concern for parents. I know this because it’s often…
Special Factors in the IEP | Parent and Team Considerations
Special Factors in the IEP Most of the questions that we receive as educational advocates are about the implementation of the IEP. Let’s face it….
How to get an IEP for your Child, explained by a Special Education Advocate.
How to get an IEP. Gather your thoughts about your child and their struggles at school. Decide if meeting with the teacher is appropriate to…
No-Meet IEP Addendum | What is it? | How to Use it.
IEP No-Meet Amendments In making changes to a child’s IEP after the annual IEP Team meeting for a school year, the parent of a child…
Can a Parent Refuse Special Education Services? What happens next?
It doesn’t happen as often as it used to, but this Special Education Stigma scenario still happens. It goes like this: Parent recognizes that their…
How to get Meaningful IEP Data | Examples | Collection | Sheets
IEP Data Collection A few weeks ago, Michelle wrote a post about IEP Progress Monitoring. In that post, she references “collecting data” several times. And,…
Homework and IEPs | Accommodations and Tips for parents.
Can you get homework accommodations on an IEP? Short answer: YES! I know many families who are tired of the tears, the battles and the…
What to do if your School or Teacher is Violating the 504 Plan | 8 Action Items for Parents
Not Following 504 Plan Ok, your child has a 504 Plan. You provided the necessary documentation and they drew it up. You think it’s pretty…
When your Charter School Rejects your Child based upon their IEP Needs.
Charter Schools and IEPs-Special Education Charter Schools and IEPs or Special Education is a very misunderstood concept, even though the law is pretty clear. Some…
How to Prevent your School from Taking Away Recess as Punishment | How to Add to IEP
Taking Away Recess as Punishment ‘Can the school take away my child’s recess?’ ‘They withhold his recess as punishment!’ If you found yourself saying these…
Is your Child’s IEP sufficient? How to tell, for parents.
Fixing your Child’s IEP Plan. I get it-school IEP plans are confusing, cumbersome and overwhelming. Most parents come to me with nothing more than a…
The Special Education Placement Decision Making Process, explained.
Special Education Placement Not only is IEP placement one of the most debated topics among parents, it’s also one of the most contentious issues you…
Stay Put, Pendency and IEP: Explained by a Special Education Advocate.
IEP Stay Put (a) Except as provided in §300.533, during the pendency of any administrative or judicial proceeding regarding a due process complaint notice requesting a…
IEP Meeting Checklist for Parents | Be Prepared and Confident!
IEP Preparation Checklist As an advocate, I have attended literally hundreds of IEP meetings. I know you, Moms. You’re stressed and anxious. But attending all…
Why Zero Tolerance School Policies are Bad for Special Education.
Effects of Zero Tolerance Policies in Schools I will never forget that mom’s face. Never before have I seen a woman be carrying so much…
Restraint and Seclusion of Special Education Students: Essential Resource Guide for Parents.
Restraint and Seclusion in Schools “Every child deserves to be treated with dignity, be free from abuse, and treated as a unique individual with individual…
How Long should an IEP Meeting be?
What is the Length of Time for an Average IEP Meeting? How long is an IEP meeting? How long should an IEP meeting be? There’s…
What is a Job Coach for Disabilities? How to Get it Added to your IEP.
Job Coach for Special Education The statistics are abysmal. Last I checked, the unemployment rate for adults with disabilities is around 70-80%. That is, fewer…
How, When (and Why?) Do You Remove an IEP?
Can an IEP be removed? One of the, ahem, benefits of this job is that I get to talk to all kinds of parents. That…
Yes, the IEP Meeting MUST be held at a time convenient for parents.
What does IDEA say about parents attending IEP meetings? Whew, can we please put this issue to bed, once and for all? Because I have…
How {and when!} to Request your Child’s School Records. {including IEP files}
School Educational Records We were seated around a huge U-shaped setup. I was directly across from the school district’s attorney, though we were a good…
When should I receive a Draft Copy of the IEP or Evaluations?
Draft IEP Timelines “Well, Mrs. Lightner, we are not going to be making any changes to this IEP today. Oh lordy. Do I remember that…
7 Real-Life Examples of Misogyny at IEP Meetings.
The misogyny of IEP meetings. I receive a surprising amount of criticism for catering to women on this blog. Or, writing about them and to…
Yes, your child with an IEP can go on the field trip.
Excluding Students from Field Trips Imagine this–your school is planning a field trip. But, they call you and say “Oh, I’m sorry, your child cannot…
Worst.IEP.Advice.Ever.
Wanna hear the Worst IEP Advice? The worst IEP advice I’ve ever heard: “Make sure you cry at the IEP meeting, it shows them how…
Yes, you should consider Special Education Mediation for your IEP Dispute.
Special Education Mediation Mediation, meee–deee-aayyy-shun! I’m singing that in the Cat in the Hat tune. Have you seen that episode where he sings about hibernation?…
What to Do when your School or Teacher is not following the IEP.
My school is not following the IEP! It’s a common parent complaint. Your school, teacher or IEP team is not following the IEP. In non-compliance. Here…
{IEP and Email} What to Know Before You Click “Send.”
IEPs and E-Mail Email. How did we live without it? IEPs are relatively new, not even 50 years old. Obviously, e-mail is even newer. And,…
7 Things you Never Want to Hear at an IEP Meeting.
Be on Alert for these phrases at your IEP Meeting. You’re sitting in your IEP meeting. Things seem to be going well. Everyone is pleasant…
IEP Homebound Instruction: A Guide for Parents.
IEP Homebound Wow. So I have to do a post on homebound. Granted, I guess at some point, there will be a blog post about…
What to do when your desired (out-of-district) IEP placement rejects your child.
IEP Placement: Private and Out-of-District Ahhh…you’re finally there. After months (maybe years!) of IEP meetings, you and your school district have agreed that your child…
PWN in Special Education: The little known game-changer in the IEP process.
Prior Written Notice-PWN How many times have you heard phrases like these, at IEP meetings, when you’ve suggested something? “I don’t get it…I did everything…
Can/Should an IEP Student fail or repeat a grade?
Before you agree to have your child repeat a grade…. This question comes up in a lot of different formats. Sometimes the parent wants their…
8 Popular Reading Programs {+how to get them in your IEP!}
Reading Programs “How do I get Wilson Reading Program added to my child’s IEP?” That’s a question that comes up a lot in the Facebook…
They said my child is too old to be considered for “developmental delay.”
Developmental Delay It’s weird, right? Your child has had an IEP for years, and his disability classification has always been Developmental Delays. Now, all of…
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