Learn Numbers in Sign Language with this Free ASL Numbers Printable
Learning numbers in ASL is one of the easiest ways to get started in learning ASL. Free worksheets for numbers 1-10 in ASL, coloring pages, free PDF.
Say “Hello” in Sign Language + Free Download ASL Flash Cards for 25 Common Words
Free Sign Language Flashcards for 25 Basic Sign Language Words in ASL. Get this free PDF download and begin learning sign language today.
Learn Colors in ASL with these Free Sign Language Colors Printables
Colors in ASL If you are trying to learn sign language, learning clusters or groups of words is a great way to start. Many people start with numbers in ASL, or fingerspelling. But learning common ASL words and practicing them throughout the day is a great way to build up your ASL vocabulary. The great…
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?
Sign Language Alphabet PDF: Download your Free ASL Fingerspelling Worksheets
Learning the ASL Alphabet is a quick way to get started in sign language and fingerspelling.
7 Audiologist-Recommended Noise Cancelling Headphones for Autism, ADHD, or Anxiety
These cool noise-cancelling headphones can help with Autism or ADHD focus issues, avoid sensory overload and reduce stress. Decibel ratings too.
10 Best Visual Timers for Kids with Autism or ADHD
Does your child benefit from a visual reinforcer? Then take a look at these online and other visual timers for kids who have sensory needs.
Overcoming Some Internal Bias: Yes, yes he runs.
Sometimes our own internal biases show up and reveal themselves in unexpected places.
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.
How to Get Your Free Lifetime National Parks Pass for Disabilities
Did you know if you have a disability, you may qualify for a FREE LIFETIME pass to our National Parks? Includes a printable list of activities for national parks.
19 Inclusive Sports Programs for Disabled Kids
Sports for Kids with Disabilities: List of Inclusive Sports Programs for Kids with a Disability, plus the benefits of sports for disabled kids.
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.
How and Why to Build Social Capital for your Disabled Child.
There are many scholars who think social capital is more important than any skill learned, especially for people with disabilities.
How to Have a 30-Day Kindness Challenge with your Family
Inspire your kids and yourself as you do a Kindness Challenge together. You can do these in November for World Kindness Day or anytime.
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.
What is Kinesthetic Learning? Does My Child Need It?
Many students learn better through movement and doing, rather than sitting and listening. Here’s how you can support your kinesthetic learner.
15 Best Sensory Toys for Adults
Here are some reader-recommended sensory toys for adults, including those with disabilities like autism, ADHD, and intellectual disabilities.
50 Best Teacher and OT Recommended Toys for Autism
A Special Education Teacher, OT, and others share their recommendations for the best toys for autistic and disabled children; plus how to use them effectively.
Interoception and your IEP: How to Improve Interoceptive Skills
Interoception and Interoceptive Skills Several years ago, I took my boys up to my Dad’s house. Kevin just walked into the room where we were, stood in the middle, and started vomiting. Since he doesn’t vomit often, he was upset by this and started shaking his head. It was like a vomit sprinkler. If that…
What is a Sensory Diet? (Examples)
A sensory diet may help a child improve their self-regulation skills. Read how, why, and getting a sensory diet added to your child’s IEP.
Holidays with a Disabled Child | 10 Tips for a Stress Free Season
10 Tips for you to have stress free holidays in your Special Needs Household. Ideas for both moms and kids…and everyone is happy!
Free Printable Christmas Thank You Notes for Kids (Fill in the Blank Templates)
These Christmas thank-you notes are fill-in-the-blank to make it easier for younger kids or those who struggle with reading or writing due to a learning disability.
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.
20 Best Christmas Books for Tweens, Teens, and Middle Schoolers for 2022
Best Christmas Books for Teens and Middle Schoolers 20 minutes a day! That has been browbeaten into me ever since I was pregnant. I loved it when they were small. But at this busy time of year, it can be tough to carve out even 20 minutes. That’s why I loved doing a Christmas book…
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.
15 Popular Fiction Books with Autistic or Disabled Main Characters
Great list of fiction books for kids with a character with autism, disabilities or just plain quirky. There are a few suggestions for each age group and ability.
How to Find a Dentist for Kids with Autism
Just because a dentist says they serve the disability population doesn’t mean that they serve all kids. Questions to ask and what to know about restraints.
Autism and Haircuts: How to Find the Perfect Autism Barber
My autistic child LOVES going to the barber. Yours can too. Here’s what to look for to find that perfect autism barber or autism haircut.
Small Time Change, Huge Disruption: Daylight Savings Time and Autism and ADHD
How to Successfully Manage Daylight Savings Time in the Neurodivergent Household: Autism | ADHD | Tips for Managing this stressful week (or weeks!)
The Hidden Costs of Special Needs Parenting
These extra costs don’t occur because my child is disabled. They occur because our society is not set up to support disabled people.
What is NVLD Non-Verbal Learning Disorder? (Symptoms)
Is your child struggling with pragmatics and other issues, but you just can’t find what fits their symptoms? Read about NVLD. It gave many parents that a-ha! moment.
40 IEP Goals for Reading and Reading Comprehension
Everything you need for Reading and Reading Comprehension and your IEP: IEP goals, strategies, evaluations, and more.
How to Improve Focus and Attention, Reduce Anxiety: 15 Activities and Foods
15 Activities and Lifestyle Changes you can make to improve focus and attention and decrease anxiety.
25 Disabled Elf on the Shelf Ideas (Autism, Wheelchair, Hospital)
Wheelchair and Hospital Elf Ideas I’ll admit, when Elf first came out, I loved him. Then I hated him. Well, not him, but I hated how competitive it was on social media. Seemed like every mom was trying to outdo all her friends with crazy Elf ideas. Now we’re back to loving our Elf on…
50 Easy, Last-Minute Elf on the Shelf Ideas (with pictures 2022)
You’re in bed and you think “I forgot to move the elf!” No worries, here are 50 super simple last-minute Elf on the Shelf Ideas, with photos. And no props!
The Difference between Charter School vs. Public School: A Guide for Families.
Before you enroll your child in any school, know the differences between a Public School vs. a Charter School. Outcomes matter!
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.
Crossing the Midline: 12 Activities for Adults and Older Kids
Crossing midline is often a skill that teams stop working on once the child hits tween years. But if your teen or adult needs the skill, here are some activities to practice crossing midline.
You’ve Been Booed Poem for Your Neighbors | Boo Poem Printable
The Halloween Boo! tradition is a great way to have fun + celebrate Halloween with your neighbors. Plan now and start it in early October,
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.
Legal Guardianship for Adults | How to Get Guardianship for Adults with Disabilities
There are many different options for Parents of Disabled Adults, including guardianship, conservatorship, supported decision making and POA.
25 Best Gifts that Autistic and Disabled Teenagers and Adults Actually Want | 2022
Gift for Disabled Teenager and Adults Teens and adults with autism and disabilities can be so hard to buy for! This post was crowd sourced from my friends and from members of our Facebook Group and what I could pull from Twitter. If you are buying a gift for autistic adults or a gift for…
31 Best Apple Picking Orchards | 2022 | NJ | PA | DE | MD
What is the BEST PLACE for apple picking near me? Check out these 31 apple orchards in New Jersey, PA, Delaware and Maryland. Pick your own apples, yum!
(Pictures) How to Best Visit the National Archives Museum in Washington, DC | Sleepover
The National Archives in Washington, DC is an amazing place to visit. We did the Archives Sleepover, and offering some local restaurant ideas too.
12 Family Friendly Tips for Visiting the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia
Tips for visiting the National Constitution Center especially if you are traveling with kids and disabilities. It’s a great outing, you should go!
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.
Special Education Acronyms PDF | 35 Most Common IEP Acronym List
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!
19 Playtime Fine Motor Activities for Babies: 0-12 Month Development
List of what fine motor skills your infant or baby should be developing, and 19 fun activities to practice and help them grow.
Video: Access Denied: The Effects on Discrimination in Education
A video discussion of the long term effects of discrimination and racism in public education.
I Don’t Need You to Tell Me How to Feel about Parenting a Disabled Child.
Parenting a Disabled Child This might be the biggest decision you’ll ever make as a parent. I’m talking about the decision to be happy. No, no, really, stick with me here. I know what you’re thinking. “All this deciding to be happy stuff is bullshit.” I used to think that too. But try it from…
Best Indoor Water Park in Pennsylvania: Travel Tips for Kalahari Resort in Poconos
Kalahari Water Park and Resort in the Poconos is definitely the best indoor waterpark in Pennsylvania. Here is a sensory friendly travel review.
Are There Different Levels of Dyscalculia?
Levels of Dyscalculia Dyscalculia is a condition that makes it difficult for people to understand math. Those with dyscalculia may find it challenging to solve mathematical problems, even if they seemingly enjoy the topic and concepts. Dyscalculia is one of the “Four Ds” as they are called-dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia and dyspraxia. In severe cases, dyscalculia…
Atlantic City Airshow Viewing: 10 Tips for Watching, including Practice Day
Should you go the Atlantic City Airshow? In a word, absolutely! We just got back from our 3rd or 4th time attending the Atlantic City Airshow and I am already counting down the days until next year. This year, we did something different. We attended the Atlantic City Airshow practice instead of the airshow. More…
Not All Hand Flapping is Autism | The Case for Stimming
Hand Flapping when Excited That is not Autism Let’s just get this out there–everybody, and I mean EVERYBODY stims. Yes, we all do it. But what it looks like for each person is different. Hand flapping is just one type of stim behavior. But since everybody stims, not every stim behavior is autism or sensory…
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 Levels has several corresponding Special Education Acronyms, depending on what your school or state uses. PL Present Levels PLOP Present Levels of Performance PLP Present Levels of Performance PLAAFP Present…
What’s the Difference Between an IEP and a 504 Plan?
504 Plan vs IEP Quite often, parents in our Facebook group will ask what is the difference between an IEP and a 504? Some schools will try to push the family toward a 504 plan instead of an IEP, some will even suggest that the student get both an IEP and a 504. So what…
504 Accommodations for ADHD | Or should you get an IEP for ADHD?
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 you have a child or student with ADHD. So I’m not going to go into the different types of ADHD and all that. This is going to focus on understanding…
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 appointment/checkup. And he was a baby, like 2 years old. We knew he was autistic and I wanted him in an ABA program. The neurologist said to me, “Just tell…
Teacher Shortages 2022 | How the Staffing Crisis is affecting your IEP | What to Do
Teacher Shortages I genuinely cannot believe that this story is not getting more press coverage. I just happened upon it while doing research for another project. According to my state’s Dept of Ed website, in 2010, the state was certifying about 17,000 teachers each year. For the 2016/17 school year, that number has plummeted to…
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 where it came from, but he did. He would ask me to put videos of her on my computer. So, when we were watching the Super Bowl one year, the…
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 next couple of years, but forever in some instances. I mean, will you ever eat birthday cake that someone blew on? Eeeuwww, I won’t. Restaurants got better at takeout and…
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 impairment Intellectual disability Multiple disabilities (MDS) Orthopedic impairment Other health impairment (OHI) Specific learning disability (SLD) Speech or language impairment Traumatic brain injury (TBI) Visual impairment, including blindness I can’t…
Is “Special Needs” Offensive? The new term to say instead of Special Needs.
Special Needs vs. Disability Several months ago, I did a blog post about People First Language, and why it shouldn’t be mandated. Certainly not by non-disabled people. At the end of that post, I said this: Up next: I’ll be tackling “special needs.” Because that vernacular is seeing a shift too. Stay tuned. Because many people…
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 that in a minute. The question “can I get an IEP in high school?” can be answered with a short “Yes.” However, the issue itself has many layers, so I…
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 sports-something on Instagram, and it was the first day of NBA free agency. “Mom, what does resigned mean?” I explained to him that it means to quit, as in quitting…
10 Best Fidget Toys | Where to Buy Cheap Fidget Toys for School 2022
Best Fidget Toys I recently participated in a local consignment sale. My youngest son had quite the collection of fidget spinners. That was a short-lived trend, wasn’t it? I’m kinda glad it’s over. For him, anyway. But, for some kids with ADHD, Fidget Spinners and Fidget Toys are therapeutic. I just hope that the trend…
20 Best Kid-Friendly, Fun, Family Farms | PA | Philadelphia | DE | MD
Farms Near Me for Kids to Visit We just love visiting farms. Both of my kids love animals, Kevin in particular. There are many local farms and animal farms to visit with children in Pennsylvania. I think I have taken my kids to visit every farm on this list! With the pandemic, make sure you…
How to Build a Meaningful IEP for Autism | Autism IEP Goals | Sample IEP for Autism
IEP for Autism For almost 10 years, readers have been asking me questions about an IEP and autism. It’s quite common in our Facebook group to have a Mom pop in and say “We were just told we were getting an IEP for autism, what should I ask for?” For 10 years, I have resisted…
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 for families. Then, they have a child who requires an IEP. That brings on their private school reality check, as far as private schools and IEPs and special education. So…
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 a less than a favorable hand, that can mean doing battle with your school district over what type of education your child receives. And sometimes that battle leaves us no…
How to Get a 1:1 Aide/Para added to your child’s IEP.
Guidelines and Justification for a 1:1 Aide/Para on an IEP. Some schools call them 1:1 aides, some call them paraprofessionals. Here in my state, we call them PCAs. Yes, another special education acronym. But, regardless of what your state calls it, you landed here because you think that your child needs a 1:1 during the…
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 clear, there are no IEPs in college. A student can get a 504 plan, but is not entitled to special education in college. But, it certainly is a realistic goal…
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 it, we must. If you are expecting that your disabled child will live independently, this is something they likely will encounter–sexual urges and the opportunity to act upon them. Have…
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 parents, said it was too overwhelming. So, I’m breaking it down. This way, teachers and parents can use it as a guide for what their child needs to be independent…
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, and your interoception is different because of your neurodivergence, you may not notice these things. But, others will! That’s for sure. And some things, like managing your medication, can be…
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 and parents, said it was too overwhelming. So, I’m breaking it down. This way, teachers and parents can use it as a guide for what their child needs to be…
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 my Dad just dropped me off somewhere 150 miles away and expected me to figure it out. They never gave me any instruction, just expected me to learn by watching….
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 make one thing clear. That is, remember, IEPs are all about the “I.” Any student who has life skills listed as an area of need can have life skills IEP…
Anxiety and Summer Camp | Sleepovers
Summer Camp and Anxiety Summer is here and for many kids, that may mean sleep away camp or sleepovers at a friend’s or grandparent’s house. But what about the anxious child? How can we help them enjoy this experience and alleviate some of their anxious fears? First, let me say, I would not force. If…
5 Strategies to Advocate for Persons with Mental Health Issues.
Mental Health Advocate Mental health, depression and suicide are all the chatter following Kate Spade’s death. In honor of that, I am updating a post from 2012 that talks about advocating for friends and loved ones with a mental illness. It doesn’t have to be complicated or time consuming. Just a few minutes out of…
How to Get Your Autistic Child to Try New Foods (written by an autistic person!)
A dangerous, yet common, misconception in regard to autistic kids is that they will eat if they’re hungry enough. The reality is that hunger, appetite and sensory input all battle each other. Autistic individuals often have interoception that is quite different from what their parents or the adults in their lives are experiencing. Interoception is…
Do you have an IEP Emergency Plan? School Shootings | Weather | Evacuation
Evacuation Plan on your IEP When I was in school, we regularly had nuclear drills. We either hid under our desks or ran to a shelter in the school’s basement. We’re fortunate. We laugh about it now. We can laugh about it because first, nuclear war never happened. And second, the idea that being under…
5 Games to Improve Executive Functioning Skills | ADHD | Autism
Game to Improve Executive Functioning Neurodivergent individuals often struggle with executive functioning, because their path to the same destination looks different from the path neurotypical individuals may go through. Instead of trying to get from Point A to Point C, they’re trying to get from Point A to Point Z in alphabet soup. They know…
Free Summer Bucket List for Kids and Teens | Printable | 2022
Summer Bucket List Ideas for Kids I’m so glad you clicked! I am so tired of seeing summer bucket lists with things like “take the kids to Singapore” or “Climb Mt. Kilimanjaro.” Hey, good for you if that’s your thing. I don’t think for my kids, that will be on their summer bucket list for…
25 Disability Awareness Activities for Kids of all Ages.
Teaching Your Child about Peers with Disabilities. What better day than today to publish this post. Today is the first day of Developmental Disabilities Awareness month. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: “We hold these truths to be self-evident: that…
Is Your 3rd Grader Struggling? It’s Probably the Matthew Effect in Reading.
Matthew Effect | Matthew Principle Ask any Special Education Advocate, and I bet they all will tell you that they have a huge chunk of clients that are in 2nd, 3rd or 4th grade. I can remember periods of time when all my clients fit into that category. Coincidence? Unfortunately, no. It’s the Matthew Effect….
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 just that what each person needs to be taught varies greatly. But, if your child has an IEP, and depending on their skill set, a “life skills classroom” or “life…
5 Popular Stim Toys for Autism or ADHD | Cheap | DIY | Chew
Stim Toys Quality stim toys can be hard to find, since fidget toys and chewy jewelry, or chewelry, is trendy. Even the higher priced ones don’t always promise quality, or the ones with great reviews just aren’t within your budget. Several popular stim toys can be made at home from everyday household objects, or using…
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 the days. As part of adulting, we need to teach our kids practical money skills. Money as a topic usually falls under functional math. However, for kids with IEPs, it…
How to Redirect Self Injurious Behavior | Autism
Self Injurious Behavior and Autism Self-injurious autistic behaviors do not illustrate why stimming, or self-regulatory behaviors, are bad. Stimming is harmless by default and crucial to autistic individuals’ ability to self-regulate and cope with everything in their life and the world. Instead of seeking to stop autistic stims altogether, self-injurious behaviors can be redirected to…
Autistic Shutdowns
You might have heard about autistic meltdowns, but what about autistic shutdowns? The two terms are often used interchangeably by non-autistic autism professionals, but autism meltdowns and autism shutdowns are two completely different things. Difference between Autistic Meltdowns and Autistic Shutdowns Autistic shutdowns are NOT meltdowns, and recovering from them is not the same either….
What is Emotional Self Regulation? 18 IEP Goals for Self-Regulation
Emotional self-regulation is a necessary executive functioning skill that all kids need to develop. Some will require direct instruction.
What is Summer School? What Do you Do in Summer School Programs?
What is Summer School? Summer school has a terrible stigma in this country. And, wrongfully so in my opinion. First, the whole concept of children having summers off is rooted in farm work. In today’s society, children are rarely needed in the summer months to help on the family farm. With the exception of maybe…
9 Clever (and Fun!) Summer Camp Themes | 2022
Summer Camp Activities (Note: this post was originally written during the 2020 pandemic, so the first couple of paragraphs may not apply. The summer camp ideas and summer camp activities are still great ideas!) Well, here we are. My son has been out of school for 2 days, but still has managed to log 1143…
10 Mental Health Tips for IEP Moms
Mental Health Tips for Moms Being an IEP mom is no easy task. In addition to all the other mom chores we do, we have the added burden of learning the cumbersome IEP process. And it’s a process that isn’t exactly parent friendly. It’s no wonder our mental health can decline. Mental health should not…
6 Must Do First Week of School Activities for Special Education | Teachers and Parents
First Week of Special Education I’m a crazy over planner. While everyone is just trying to get through to the end of a school year, I’m already planning for the first week of school activities in special education for next year. I know, it’s a bit over the top. But here’s the thing. By the…
10 Outdoors Activities for Autism | How to Get Autistic Kids and Adults Outside More Often
Outdoor Activities for Autistics Today really reiterated to me that I need to get back to the outdoors and get my kids outside. I had my son at the eye doctor and she is an expert in her field (at a local children’s hospital). She said that they are seeing an increase of young kids…
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 on IEP goals. After all, depending on the disability, the child may have needs in reading, writing, vocabulary and much more. And, reading is so much more than reading. It’s…
What to Do About IEP Retaliation Including When They Call CPS.
The school called CPS on me! Sometimes I hear the stories and think “How, how did we get here?” And, many times I’ve seen a parent seek assistance and many parents chime in, “That’s illegal, they can’t do that!” Sigh. I wish it was that simple. Yes, it is illegal. But IEP retaliation happens. School…
3 Best Adaptive Bikes for Autistic Teens | Adults with Disabilities
Autism and Riding a Bike I get a surprising number of inquiries about this. Ever since I posted a photo of my son riding our adaptive bike, people ask me what it is and where we got it. First, let’s start by saying, just because a child has autism, does not mean that they cannot…
10 Ways to Help Children with Low Self-Esteem
Kids and Self Esteem All children are different and unique in their own ways, but one thing that all children have in common is the need for love and acceptance. When a child feels like they are not good enough, it can be difficult for them to succeed in life. Many of our kids have…
Sensory Friendly Philadelphia | 50 Fun Places and Activities for Kids on the Spectrum
Sensory Friendly Philadelphia If you’re the parent of a child with sensory sensitivities, you know that it can be challenging to find activities and attractions that both you and your little one can enjoy. I live near Philadelphia and we just love it here. There are so many autism friendly places and activities. You will…
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 beast and can make you scream. I’ve addressed issues similar to this in other posts, but a common theme that I encounter with parents is unrealistic expectations. What do I…
Knoebels Amusement Park: Secrets to Know Before you Go!
Knoebels Amusement Park One of my favorite places to visit is Knoebels in Elysburg, PA. I have been going there ever since I was a toddler, and my (now deceased) grandmother even went there as a child. It’s that kind of place. Even though it’s a 2+ hour trek for us now, we make sure…
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 the need to get on my soapbox for a moment. If you don’t want to read my rant, feel free to skip past the photo. Ok, so here goes. 504 Education…
ARFID | A Family Guide to Overcoming ARFID
ARFID “Mom, I don’t want another ham and cheese sandwich for lunch.” “Well, you don’t eat anything else for lunch. Give me something else to put in your lunchbox, and I’ll do it.” And so began our journey with ARFID. A few quick facts about ARFID. Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder Was renamed in DSM…
5 Free Google Organization Apps that help Manage the Disability Household
Google Organization Apps Let’s face it, when you have a disabled child, Moms and Dads become caseworkers. I’ve never seen one person, let alone a child, generate so much paperwork. Then you add in annual IEP dates, annual and biennial medical appointments, biannual evaluation dates, MA renewal, Rx renewals….it’s exhausting and overwhelming at times. But,…
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 if you know that they are there, and have the opportunity to remove them, you’ll be faster yet. Hurdles. It’s a good analogy in these IEP scenarios. I mean, you’re…
Fairmount Water Works | 5 Reasons You Need to Visit this Amazing Little Gem in Philadelphia
Fairmount Water Works I recently had the opportunity to visit the Fairmount Water Works. And I can’t believe I’ve never gone before! It has so many amazing things to offer. We put it on our list of things to do every summer. It’s a great day trip if you want to visit the Philadelphia art…
Seizure Disorder | 6 Things I Wish I had been told about my Son’s Seizure Disorder
Seizure Disorder I’ve been having some real “beat myself up” moments about Kevin and his risk for seizures. Things I should have known. Or could have known. Or wish I had known about seizures and seizure risk. Do you use the Timehop app? I do and I love it. If you are not familiar, what…
Cellulitis from a Bug Bite? Yes! Here’s What to Look For.
Cellulitis from a Bug Bite Can you get cellulitis from a mosquito bite? Cellulitis from an insect bite? In a word, yes! It’s happened to us. Twice! Despite our snow squalls here in PA yesterday, I have seen mosquitoes already this year. My son has always had the worst time with bug bites, fly bites,…
Tuckerton Seaport Museum | 5 Reasons You Should Go!
Tuckerton Seaport Museum This past Saturday, we were invited to a blogger event at the Tuckerton Seaport Museum. I knew my 4-year-old would love the Pirate Festival, and he did. I didn’t tell him we were going until about 48 hours beforehand and it was all he talked about. He talked about finding treasure and…
Rocking Horse Ranch Resort | Highland, NY | Is it worth the money?
Rocking Horse Ranch Over Labor Day weekend, my parents invited us to join them at the Rocking Horse Ranch in Highland, NY. Rocking Horse Ranch Resort is an all-inclusive resort. You pay one rate for all the food, lodging and activities. I love having the opportunity to try new places and review them from our…
DIY Weighted Doll | Easy | Budget-friendly
DIY Weighted Doll File this under, “If I can make a DIY weighted doll, anyone can.” Because I am NOT crafty. I’ll show you step-by-step how I made a DIY weighted doll for my child. Easy to make and any soft stuffed animal or doll can be used. Recently someone suggested that I get Kevin…
Hopewell Furnace | 7 Essential Tips to know before you go with kids
Hopewell Furnace Recently I took both of my boys up to Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site. It is located in Berks County, in Elverson. It was a cool and cloudy afternoon for July so it was not a pool day. Since we were fresh off the heels of our trip out west to some National…
Disability Moms | 9 Habits of Happy, Strong, and Successful Disability Moms
Disability Moms Yesterday I had a lovely phone conversation with someone whose child was recently diagnosed with a disability. We have mutual friends who referred her to me. She’s been having a bit of a struggle just finding a group that she feels comfortable with as far as our different parenting. I think we all…
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. It is very serious, and in my opinion, should only be done as a last resort. This means that you have exhausted all other means of the IEP process including…
Liar
When your Child Lies As I often begin many articles, I state “this has been coming up in the Facebook group a lot lately.” And, it has. I’m going to try to present this issue (lying and ADHD or other disabilities) as succinctly and unbiased as possible. But, to me honest, it’s very triggering for…
5 Best Things to do in Orlando with Kids, that are not Disney!
Things to do with Kids in Orlando Right around Easter, my husband found out that his company was going to send him to Orlando for a week. Taking the kids to Orlando has always been on our to-do list, but not a super high priority. We were able to put together a nice trip in…
Easy Fundraisers for Schools | 8 Non-Cash Ways to Donate to Schools
Easy Fundraisers for Schools It’s back to school time, and I swear, every time I turn around, I’m writing another check for this or that. I only have 2 kids, I don’t know how larger families do it, or those with less income. You want to help, right? But we cannot support every fundraiser that…
Disabled Child Grandparenting | Including Extended Family in your Disability Household
Disabled Child Grandparenting Disabled Child Grandparenting? That’s a phrase you never heard even 20 years ago. Now, grandparents want to know. It’s their nature to want to help. So how do you involve your extended family in disability parenting? Paying attention to grandparents and other extended family members, as it pertains to having a disabled…
Buying a Home While Disabled | 11 programs that help People with Disabilities buy Homes.
Buying a Home While Disabled Buying a home while disabled may feel impossible but here are 11 programs available to help you. I’ve compiled a list of various state and federal resources that may help you buy a home if you are disabled. I was recently asked this question. “Are there any programs that can…
Chester County Special Education | Best School Districts
Chester County Special Education Omigosh, if I had a nickel for every time I was asked this! Ok, this is not the answer you want to hear. But I cannot in good conscience make a recommendation for you. I’m sorry. I’ve thought this over for a few days and even consulted with some good friends….
Wraparound Services | What are they? | How do I apply?
Wraparound Services As I’ve navigated my way through the disability community over the past fifteen years, I’ve noticed a trend. That is, NO ONE TELLS YOU ANYTHING! Don’t get me wrong, if you ask, you usually are helped. At least that has been my experience. But how do you even know what to ask for?…
Implied Consent | Why Parents Need to STFU about their Disabled Kids.
Implied Consent Have you ever been tagged in a completely unflattering photo on Facebook? I mean the kind when you look at it, you groan and debate in your head if the person will notice if you untag yourself? It’s awful, right? Social media and smartphones have brought us a whole new set of societal…
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 AAU basketball team. I was looking at the website and he was on his phone, and he was describing things to me and asking me questions (what size do I…
Elopement and Autism | Causes | Solutions | IEP Goals
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 the fun kind of elopement. The kind where you run off to Vegas or some tropical island and marry your love. This is the type where your child is so…
Ridin Hy Ranch | 5 Things to Know Before you Go!
Ridin’ Hy Ranch Is Ridin’ Hy Ranch disability-friendly? Ridin’ Hy Ranch is an all-inclusive resort nestled in the mountainside of Adirondack State Park, in New York. I’ll share my review and what it is like to stay at this resort with a child with disabilities. I thought I’d share a few things I learned while…
Pets in the Classroom Grant | How to Get a Free Pet
Pets in the Classroom Pets in the classroom are now easy for every teacher to get. The benefits students receive just by having a pet in their own classroom are life-changing. I’m going to share with you how to get one for free. “Nothing else that blinks!” That used to be my household rule. Nothing…
Trunki Suitcase | Everything You Need to Know
Trunki Suitcase The Trunki Suitcase is so much more than a carry-on suitcase. The Trunki Suitcase transforms ordinary luggage into an adventure for children. This suitcase is a must-have if you are traveling with little ones. They can sit on the suitcase. They can easily pack it. It’s small enough for them to pull the…
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 process. Look, not judging here. Mostly. Ok, so I am getting a little judgy here. But here’s the thing. Not knowing and using your IDEA given rights is detrimental to…
Earth Day Scavenger Hunt | Free | Printable | PDF
Earth Day Scavenger Hunt Earth Day is a great time to get the family outside and learn about the environment around us! One fun way to do this is to go on an Earth Day Scavenger Hunt. You can make a list of items to find, such as leaves of different colors, acorns, or rocks….
7 Earth Day Crafts for Kids | Free | Printables
Earth Day Craft for Kids Earth Day is the perfect opportunity to get your kids involved in some fun and unique crafts. There are so many different Earth Day crafts for kids you can pick from in this printable. They’ll love learning about Earth day through these crafts. These Earth Day crafts will keep your…
23 Free Easter Egg Coloring Pages | Mandala | Preschool to Older Kids
Easter Egg Coloring Pages I recently shared another set of Easter coloring pages. Specifically, those free downloadable printable coloring pages were mostly Easter Bunny Coloring Pages. And, I got some requests to share coloring pages for older kids. Kids who might find the Easter Bunny to be a little too babyish for them. One reader…
6 Free Coloring Pages for Easter | Easter Bunny | Printable | PDF
Easter Coloring Pages When holidays come near, any parent or teacher will tell you, kids get antsy! Especially if a holiday like Easter is associated with time off from school and work. Like Spring Break. At home or at school, it can be hard to keep kids focused on school work. Especially if they know…
15 Easter Basket and Gift Ideas for Older Kids
Easter Gifts for Older Kids You know, this time of year, it’s lovely to think back to Easter egg hunts and sitting on the Easter Bunny’s lap for photos. (does any kid really like that?) But, there comes an age when any mention of those activities gets you an eye roll. Followed by a “Mo-om,…
43 Accommodations for Anxiety to Add to a 504 Plan or IEP
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.
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 about working memory skills, but you’re not sure what they are? Ok, remember these? I’m dating myself a bit, I know. But these are a great example of how we…
Free Visual Schedule Templates for Autism | Picture Schedules for Home Activities | PDF
Visual Schedules and Autism How stressed out are you by daily routines? What about your kids? I mean, it’s something that we do, as a household, every.single.day. Why does it have to be so stressful? Most of us do not use visual schedules at home though many kids use them at school. These free printable…
The White House Easter Egg Roll | 2022 | What to Know Before You Go
White House Easter Egg Roll One really fun and memorable activity for families is the White House Easter Egg Roll. The 2022 White House Easter Egg Roll is always the Monday after Easter. This year, that is April 18. To get tickets to the White House Easter Egg Roll, you must literally win the lottery….
Bumble Bee Preschool Activities 🐝 Free 🐝 Printable
Bumble Bee Activities I think everyone has a love/hate relationship with bees, right? I mean, they’re essential to the planet, but many are afraid of them. But, we can’t appreciate and save what we don’t know–so it’s important to teach bee appreciation early. And, contrary to popular belief, bumble bees rarely sting people! If you…
Easter Jokes for Kids 🐣 Printable PDF
Easter Jokes for Kids Hey, here’s a fun little freebie for you–printable Easter lunch box jokes. These funny Easter jokes and jokes about the Easter bunny are guaranteed to bring a smile to your face. Enjoy! Just scroll past the image and you’ll find the pages to print, or just scroll and read them! Print…
A Weighted Blanket Causing Pain or Back Pain? Yes, yes it is.
Weighted Blanket Causing Pain Weighted blankets. They seem harmless enough, right? So we started using them. I purchased two for our household. In less than 6 months, they caused me so much hip and back pain, I’m tossing them. We are no longer using weighted blankets in our home. So I thought I’d explain why….
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 are a few things parents should know. First, middle school or high school is not a concept addressed in IDEA. IDEA does not require nor call for anything special to…
🍀 10 Easy St. Patrick’s Day Crafts, Activities and Worksheets 🍀
St. Patrick’s Day Easy Crafts So, you all know that I’m not normally a fan of labeling things with a chronological age. When you’re working with disabled students or adults, skill sets can vary widely. And, to label a teenager who has a lot of needs and limited skill sets as a ‘preschooler’ is infantilizing,…
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 and learning disabilities is an interesting one. It was activists and allies who paved the way, and we must soldier on for them. While I don’t excuse anyone’s behavior or…
ASL for Thank You + 25 Common Words | Free PDF Worksheets
ASL for Thank You Many people don’t know this, but ASL or American Sign Language, is the 4th most common language used here in the USA. It’s also becoming more and more common for parents to use sign language with babies and toddlers before they have verbal words. We used sign language with Kevin as…
Recycling Worksheets for Kids | PDF | Printable
Recycling Worksheets All right, so before you download and print these recycling worksheets for your preschool or classroom…let me address the irony. Yes, it seems hypocritical to offer a school activity that has a theme of ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ or recycling, and said activity is on paper. But, hang with me…what better time to present…
🌎 Earth Day Color by Number Pages | Free | PDF
Earth Day Color by Number I am a huge fan of multi sensory learning, and surrounding kids with language and content. Numerous studies indicate that it helps kids learn. And, it can be applied to any content. Like Earth Day! Adding in a kids’ activity like color by number activity can also reinforce the concept…
Daily Affirmations for Kids | Free PDF
Daily Affirmations for Kids Honestly, the first and only time I really followed anything about daily affirmations was a satire account for Philadelphia. It just listed nuisances we find in daily life around here, it’s a pretty funny Instagram account. Then, I have this friend. He’s contributed to this site before, as he is a…
Fastnacht Day 2022 | History | What is Fastnacht Day?
Fastnacht Day I remember one time I had to go into Center City for something. And, if I am near it and have time, I always go to Reading Terminal Market. If you’ve never been to Beiler’s, you must go if you are in the city. So I went to RTM and got donuts at…
Was Dr. Seuss a Racist? See the drawings and judge for yourself.
Dr. Seuss was Racist Dr. Seuss is a prolific children’s book author and global icon. And Dr. Seuss has a history of racial baggage that educators should understand when introducing his writing to their students. From Tolerance dot org This knocked the wind out of my sails yesterday. Not sure how it didn’t hit my…
Pączki Day 2022 | When is it? What is Pączki Day?
Pączki Day I just love Pączki Day. It truly is one of my favorite holidays. And, you get to celebrate it, twice! What’s not to love about two entire days dedicated to eating donuts? What is Pączki Day? When is Pączki Day 2022? And what do I mean by celebrating it twice? How do you…
Mardi Gras Coloring Pages | Mardi Gras Masks | PDF | Free
Mardi Gras Coloring Pages I honestly just love Mardi Gras and Fat Tuesday, even though I’ve never even been to New Orleans or Rio. It’s a fun little holiday that usually happens right at a time when you’re really sick of winter and need a lift. Mardi Gras is so colorful and can be a…
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 over and over. Most importantly–they often don’t work. The same kids are being suspended, failing grades, and being ostracized by both peers and staff. I’m going to outline some common…
12 Inspirational Family Movies | Gratitude | Making a Difference | Giving Back
Movies: Making a Difference and Giving Back I hate when I have to rework posts due to creeps. With all of the buzz out there about the misogynist creeps in Hollywood, I am updating this post. I certainly do not want to promote anyone’s career who acts like that. And certainly, they don’t deserve to…
Spot the Difference | Printable Worksheets for Kids | Free PDF
Spot The Difference We love spot the difference worksheets. My whole extended family is really into worksheets and puzzles. They’re great when you need to take a screen break but want to work on some skills Visual clutter is something many kids with learning disabilities struggle with. Spot the Difference worksheets can help with that….
20 Free Bird Coloring Pages | Bird Word Search | Bird Watching for Kids
Bird Watching Coloring Pages and Activities Calling all bird nerds! Here is a huge list of Backyard Bird feeders and bird watching activities for kids. A great way to get your kids to appreciate and conserve nature is to engage them in bird watching, have them build a bird feeder or other fun activities. We…
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 asked if I would publish it on my site. I am just now getting around to this giant PDF list of special education terms. Not all IEP terms and acronyms…
Sesame Place PA | Review | Best Insider Tips | Crowds and Calendar
Sesame Place Travel Tips Let’s be honest. Sesame Place is an expensive outing and chances are, a special occasion trip for your family. So you want to make the most of it, right? I’ve been to other parks and our trip was a disaster because we wasted our day waiting in lines, we didn’t know…
Basketball Word Search 🏀 Worksheets 🏀 NCAA 🏀 FREE PDF 🏀
Basketball Word Search We are just all about the basketball around here! My younger son loves it and plays in two different leagues. We love watching March Madness and the NBA games. Of course, since we spend so much time talking about basketball, I wanted to involve Kevin, beyond taking him to his brother’s games….
10 St. Patrick’s Day Activities for Kids ☘️ Free ☘️ Printable 🌈
St. Patrick’s Day Activities Growing up, I don’t have great memories of St. Patrick’s Day. My dad would play record albums of Irish Folk Music like the Clancy Brothers and drink too much. Yep, the stereotype. It never occurred to me until I had kids that St. Patrick’s Day Activities for kids existed. I had…
St. Patrick’s Day Color by Number | Free | Printable
Color by Number St. Patrick’s Day I have posted several other St. Patrick’s Day coloring pages, but kept this one separate. That is because the color pages are color by number, but still with a St. Patrick’s Day theme. Color by number can not only be fun for the kids, but can also practice and…
St. Patrick’s Day Preschool Arts and Crafts 🌈 Easy 🌈 Pop Up Card
St. Patrick’s Day Arts and Crafts If you’ve been to a card store lately, you know how expensive they can be. So why spend $5 or $7 on a pop up card, when this St. Patrick’s Day craft is so easy to make? I’ve included photos and step by step instructions. It really can be…
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 forth and had many meetings over many months. Now, you’re staring down an IEP that you don’t think is sufficient for your child. Or, maybe there was one egregious incident–either…
Assistive Technology AAC and your IEP | Goals | Examples
Assistive Technology AAC Questions about Assistive Technology are some of the most common ones that we receive as advocates. How do I get an AT device? How do I know which AAC or Assistive Technology device to choose? Who pays for assistive technology? Assistive Technology is a support or service that has many names. Many…
The Ultimate List of Executive Functioning Skills and Tasks | 2022
Executive Functioning Checklist While we have come a long way in recognizing and supporting skill deficits in kids, when it comes to learning disabilities, I find that when it comes to executive functioning issues are too often thought of as “won’t” instead of “can’t.” Executive functioning skills rule our daily lives. And when a child…
St. Patrick’s Day Word Search ☘️ Word Scramble ☘️ Free PDF
St. Patrick’s Day Word Search Here we go with another fun activity to incorporate all kinds of skills with a fun holiday. This time, I’m sharing two free PDFs-a St. Patrick’s Day word search and a St. Patrick’s Day word scramble. Since my site largely focuses on kids with various learning disabilities, please be mindful…
Free Printable St. Patrick’s Day Bingo Cards ☘️
St. Patrick’s Day Bingo Bingo is one of my family’s favorite things to do. Mind you, I’m a middle aged adult, and I’ve only recently discovered the joy of bingo. Mostly due to my youngest son. For whatever reason, he loved playing any kind of bingo at a very young age. Then, one time we…
Valentine’s Day Word Search 💗 Free 💗 Printable 💗 PDF 💗
Valentine’s Day Word Search Hi there and Happy Valentine’s Day! Sure, it’s a corny holiday. But, a holiday dedicated to celebrating love and friendship? Count me in! This Valentine’s Day Word Search is a free printable in PDF format. Just download it and there you go! If this word search puzzle is either too easy…
☘️ St. Patrick’s Day Coloring Pages ☘️ Free ☘️
Free St. Patrick’s Day Coloring Pages Happy St. Patrick’s Day! These free St. Patrick’s Day coloring pages will keep kids happy and occupied for an afternoon or even longer. Coloring is a great fine motor skill, so why not incorporate some holiday fun? The St. Patrick’s Day coloring pages are all free for you to…
ASL ☘️ St. Patrick’s Day Words ☘️ Worksheets
ASL Signs for St. Patrick’s Day Depending on which set of statistics you look at, ASL or American Sign Language, is the 3rd or 4th most popular used language in this country. Many people are unaware of this. Pretty amazing, huh? While it is predominantly used by the Deaf community, teaching sign language to babies…
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 child is either graduating or aging out of the system. But, the kindergarten transition is important and so often overlooked. I’m not scolding parents, I get it. Many times we…
St. Patrick’s Day Lunch Box Jokes ☘️ Printable ☘️ FREE
St. Patrick’s Day Lunch Box Jokes Looking for a fun activity for kids for St. Patrick’s Day? Why not print and use these adorable lunch box jokes? Not just for lunch boxes–put them in homework, backpacks, near their phone or device, even a coat pocket!
Fry’s First 100 Words | PDF | Printable
Fry’s First 100 Words I recently provided you all with some of the Dolch sight words and some activities to go along with the Dolch list. But, actually, there is more than one frequently used list of sight words. Another one is called Fry’s First 100 Words. You may recognize some of this list as…
Teaching Music to Students with Learning Disabilities | Free Music Note Worksheets
Teaching Music to Students with Learning Disabilities We all know that music has tremendous health and wellness benefits that extend far beyond just enjoying music. There are countless studies out there that students who study music often perform better than their peers in other areas too. If your child has an IEP or disability of…
Executive Functioning Tests | What IEP Assessments to Look For.
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 decade. When a student lacks executive functioning skills, both parents and teachers can identify the behavior. We know what it “looks like” when a child cannot organize themselves, manage time…
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Free Story Map Graphic Organizer | Worksheet | Examples | PDF
Story Map Graphic Organizer Most people have read a book, and then went to see the movie. Or, saw the movie and then went back and read the book, right? Chances are, that is a book that you can recall with more detail that other books you have read. Because it was a multisensory approach…
What is a Frayer Model? | Example | Blank Template
What is a Frayer Model? A FRAYER MODEL is a graphic organizer that helps students clarify the meaning of vocabulary words they encounter while listening, reading, and viewing texts. They can be used before reading to activate background knowledge, during reading to monitor vocabulary, or after reading to assess vocabulary. The Frayer Model is a…
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 have caused many parents to reevaluate their IEP situation, their family situation and wonder…should I just homeschool my child? Making the decision to homeschool your child is huge and one…
Free Activities to Teach Symmetry | Winter Theme
Symmetry Activities When snow and ice come around, many schools move to an online format. It can be hard to keep kids engaged when all they want to do is go out in the snow! One way to overcome this is to use winter and snow themed activities to teach the skill you’re trying to…
💘 Valentine’s Lunch Box Jokes 💘 Printable 💘 Free
Valentine’s Lunch Box Jokes Hey, here’s a fun little freebie for you–printable valentine’s day lunch box jokes. Print them, clip them….and put them wherever you want to insert a smile in someone’s day. In the lunch box of course, but also on the bathroom mirror, on a car dashboard, in a briefcase or backpack. Enjoy!
Executive Functioning Skills | IEP Goals, Objectives, Accommodations
Executive Functioning IEP Goals Executive function is an umbrella term for cognitive processes such as planning, working memory, attention, problem solving, verbal reasoning, inhibition, mental flexibility, multi-tasking, initiation, and monitoring of actions. Executive functioning describes a set of mental processes that helps people to connect past experience with present action. Wikipedia If your child or…
{I Have a Dream} Martin Luther King Jr. Activities and Projects for Kids
Martin Luther King, Jr: I Have a Dream. MLK Day can be fun, serious, educational and thoughtful. Here are activities and projects for kids to make the day memorable, including “I have a dream speech” activities. I say to you today, my friends, that in spite of the difficulties and frustrations of the moment, I…
How to Have an Inclusive Valentine’s Day | Special Education Valentine’s Day Activities
Inclusive Valentine’s Day Soon, all across the country, children will exchange Valentines with their classmates. Love it or hate it, Valentine’s Day is here and I don’t see it disappearing anytime soon. Sure, it kind of is a holiday that was made more important by the marketing machine. But I see nothing wrong with a…
Valentine’s Day Directed Drawing Activities | Free | Printable PDF
Valentine’s Day Directed Drawing I like Valentine’s Day for a lot of reasons. Sure, I can concede that it’s partly a made-up holiday fueled by the American marketing machine and consumerism. But, I can’t hate on a day dedicated to celebrating love and friendship. Plus, it’s a bright spot in a dreary part of the…
180 Printable Lunch Box Jokes | Free | Tween | Holidays | Summer
Lunch Box Jokes If you asked my son, he’ll tell you that he’s too old for me to be putting things in his lunch box, like printable lunch box jokes. He’s 12. He rolls his eyes at dad jokes, which are plentiful around here. And, he dutifully packs his own lunch every evening. It’s part…
6 Reasons to STOP Assigning a Mental Age to Disabled Students
Mental Age I guess it’s a coping mechanism. Or a way of trying to parent and better understand our kids. But it’s also an antiquated practice that needs to go. I’m talking about assigning a mental age to our kids. In particular, this happens with students who are intellectually disabled or autistic, or both. You…
How to Create Calming Classroom Decor | Decrease Visual Clutter | Increase Focus
Calming Classroom Decor Look, I love teachers. They are totally underappreciated and the whipping boy for “all things bad” with society and schools. But classroom decor? Yikes! Lots of room for improvement based on some of the classrooms I’ve been in. And, attending IEP meetings all over the Philadelphia region, I’m in a lot of…
Snowman ☃️ and Snowflake ❄️ Coloring Pages | Free | Worksheets | Preschool + Toddler
Snowman Snowflake Coloring Pages Once the holidays are over, it’s time to start thinking about snowflakes and snowmen. I find them just as festive as the holidays and I keep many snow themed decorations up until about Presidents’ Weekend. Since I try to make everything multi sensory for Kevin, it’s only natural that I would…
Free Groundhog Day Activities for Kids | How Accurate is Groundhog Day?
Groundhog Day Activities I’m born and raised in Pennsylvania, so maybe I have a skewed vision of Groundhog Day. I mean the day, not the movie. Groundhog Day is a big deal here, as the whole world looks to the little town of Punxsutawney PA every February 2. Punxsutawney Phil has been predicting the weather…
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 to know other moms, you’ll hear complaining and worrying about “transition.” Transition means many things, but in our world, it means the time period when the child is completing 12th…
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 it has already come up three times in our Facebook group. We’ve had several situations where a school or IEP team member has asked or demanded medical information or access…
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 so nervous!” she whispered. “Don’t be. We got this.” And we did. My mind drifted to other parents in our Facebook group who often express similar sentiments before a meeting….
Dine with Astronauts at Kennedy Space Center | Is it worth it? Review.
Kennedy Space Center Reviews The last full day of our Florida trip was spent visiting the Kennedy Space Center. This wasn’t on our original agenda, but I picked up a brochure at the Nickelodeon Resort lobby and the more I read the brochure, the more I wanted to go. I was particularly interested in the…
35 Common IEP Meeting Questions {answered by a Special Ed 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 Facebook group, the other admins and I have answered literally thousands of questions about IEP meetings. Sure, the I is for Individual. Still, I see a lot of commonalities. Common IEP…
7 Virtual Playdate Ideas | Hospital and Homebound | Preschool
Virtual PlayDates The Covid pandemic has made some permanent changes in how we live. Doing everything from school to family dinners virtually started out as a survival mechanism, but is probably here to stay. Many companies are not bringing employees back to an office to work, opting to keep them at home. The same goes…
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 new concept and document as a result of the pandemic. And, I am going to explain what an IRLP is, however, I do so with great hesitation. And that is…
11 Healthy Marriage Tips when you have an IEP
Healthy Marriage Tips My visiting mother-in-law walked away uncomfortably as my husband yelled at me. “WHY are you doing this?” What was I doing? A county coordinator from the 0-3 program had just left our house. She came to take our initial information and explain how the evaluation process worked. She explained the different people…
Fun + Free New Year’s Resolution Activity for Kids
New Year’s Activities for Kids It can seem like such a drag to suggest that you print and do worksheets with your kids over holiday break. I get it! Sometimes the last thing we want to do is more ‘homework.’ But sometimes these activities can not only break up boredom but have tremendous value too….
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 our typical children as sexual beings, let alone our children with special needs. But, like it or not, they will mature, they will go through these changes, so it’s up…
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 and has limited speaking ability. Before panic was able to set in, a neighbor called to say they had found him. He was sitting on their living room couch. It…
How To Get a Photo ID for your Disabled Child
ID card for your Disabled Child Does your child (with or without disabilities) have a photo ID card? Why not? Have you ever thought of getting one for them? Having a photo ID card for your child can be a great resource and can help you avoid hassles. It also can be a great teaching…