Chasing the Intact Mind with Dr. Amy S.F. Lutz
In this episode of “Don’t IEP Alone,” host Lisa Lightner and special guest Dr. Amy S.F. Lutz delve into the complexities of advocating for individuals…
IEP parent
IEP Homebound Instruction for Disabled Students: A Guide for Parents.
Wow. So I have to do a post on IEP Homebound Instruction for Disabled Students. Granted, I guess at some point, there will be a…
Walking at Graduation but not Graduating: What are the Rules or Law?
As one of my attorney friends said, “This question seems to come up every spring for the past 20 years.” Walking at graduation but not…
25 IEP Homework Accommodations for Parents and Teachers to Implement
Inside: Homework. Just saying the word elicits a lot of feelings. Here are some IEP Accommodations for Homework, including common questions and tips for implementation….
Free Printable Chore Chart for Kids that is Skills-Based, not Age-Based.
Inside: Most chore charts and lists of chores for kids are age-based. But, that doesn’t take into account disabilities or other issues that would have…
How to Have Meaningful Parent Participation in the IEP Process (IDEA 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, I’m…
How to Write an IEP
How to Write an IEP for Special Education, step by step.
How to Easily Collect Meaningful IEP Data | Free IEP Data Collection Sheets
Inside: Collecting IEP Data doesn’t have to be overwhelming. You can get our free IEP Data Collection Sheets, including templates and reusable forms. A few…
High School Certificate of Completion vs Diploma: Understanding the Differences.
If your child has an IEP, and is taking a life skills type of curriculum, you may have heard the term “certificate of completion” mentioned…
What is SDC in Special Education? A Simple Guide to Special Day Class, for Parents.
This is one area that I’m not often comfortable discussing–restrictive environments in the special education setting. See, I have K in a very restrictive setting….
How to get an IEP for your Child (Explained by a Parent IEP Advocate)
Inside: How to Get an IEP for your Child. Whether you’re trying to get an IEP for autism, get an IEP for ADHD or even…
10 Differences Between IEP and 504 Plan (and what is the same!)
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…
6 Replacement Behaviors for Hitting and Aggression
Inside: Hitting and Aggression are fast ways for your child to earn suspensions at school, or be socially ostracized by peers. Here are some replacement…
Why Are IEPs Important?
Inside: I hear from many parents who “don’t even want to bother” with an IEP. It’s a sentiment I understand, but you may want to…
Can an IEP Meeting be Held without a Parent?
Inside: Can an IEP meeting be held without parents? What does IDEA say about this, and what should you do if the IEP team is…
IEP Meeting Agenda: Samples and Templates for a Productive Meeting
Inside: It’s best practice, but not required, to have an IEP Meeting Agenda. Here are some samples and templates for IEP Meeting Agendas for you…
What are Visual Motor Skills and Visual Motor Integration? (+ how to improve!)
Inside: Learn what Visual Motor Skills are, how they differ from Visual Motor Integration and how to improve both; especially if your child has an…
12 Tips for Special Education Parent-Teacher Conferences | Video
Parent-Teacher conferences can look different for Special Education and IEP students. Here’s what to ask and what to know.
The Extraordinary Burden of IEPs on Moms.
Imagine this, parents. Imagine you are envisioning your child’s future, and the different pieces of his/her future are trading cards. And you say, “Ok, I will give you this card for safety, and in exchange, I get to keep all the cards for food.”
Ableism and Autism Moms
I am just steamed this morning. Nothing like waking up to see 250k special needs moms being ableists and wallowing in ableism. Have you seen…
What are the Required Components of an IEP?
Inside: Learn what IDEA says about the required components of an IEP. An Individualized Education Program (IEP) is a written plan that outlines the unique…
School Refusal: IEP Goals and Interventions for School Avoidance
What are we doing to our kids that so many of them are either a) having breakdowns and mom has to be called to come get them b) melting down after school to the point it interferes with normal household activities or c) refusing to go to school.
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.
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!
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!”
Perfect Attendance Awards: 8 Reasons why they’re a Bad Idea.
Perfect Attendance Awards Perfect attendance awards are a terrible idea. I get it–I get why they were developed. To encourage kids with chronic absenteeism to…
Why Are School Vouchers and School Choice Bad? Lots of Reasons.
You don’t find failing public schools and charter schools in wealthy neighborhoods.
What are Age-Appropriate Interests for a Developmentally Disabled or Autistic Adult?
Autism and Age-Appropriate Interests “Who gets to decide what is an age-appropriate interest for a disabled or autistic child?” This is an issue that has…
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…
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 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,…
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…
Dear IEP Team, Let’s Talk about Trust.
One Mom’s Perspective of the IEP Process. I have always made clear that my interest is in my child, his well-being, and his functioning on…
Why Every Parent Should Get Involved in Special Education Lobbying | IDEA Re-Authorization
Citizen and Parent Advocacy I think we’re in this for the long haul. I wrote this right after the 2016 election, in hopes of inspiring…
The Battle Fatigue of Disability Parenting.
Special Needs Mom Burnout On Tuesday, when my son came home from school, his newly revised IEP was in his backpack. All 54 pages of…
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…
8 Ways the Special Education System Really is Stacked Against Parents.
8 Ways the Special Education System Really is Stacked Against Parents. The special education system is stacked against parents. It’s not your imagination. It is…
I’m tired of talking about my son’s health.
I know they mean well. People. They ask. But the holiday season just ended and I.am.exhausted. Mentally, not physically. Emotionally. My son has significant health…
It’s OK to ask us about my son’s disabilities. No, really, it is.
Questions about Disability A few weeks ago, my younger son (non-disabled) had a friend over to play. We’ve known this family for about 6 months….
7 Things ALL Schools need to STOP doing, right now.
Public Education Reform I call myself a Public Education supporter. I advocate, I lobby, I educate myself on the issues. Public education benefits our society,…
13 Questions to Ask School Board Candidates | IEP | Special Education
Questions for School Board Candidates “I’d go, but what would I ask?” I always encourage IEP parents to attend candidate forums. But that is the…
Parents, Before you go to the News Media with your IEP issues….
You should tell the media about this! It’s a really common piece of IEP advice. And, I get it. Our kids are treated horribly sometimes….
{Educational Surrogate Parents} What, Why and How to become one.
Become an IEP Educational Surrogate Have you heard of being an IEP educational surrogate parent? Many times parents ask me how they can give back…
Hey IEP Moms! You complain too much!
Hey, Special Needs Moms-You complain too much! Really, you do. I mean, c’mon already. Aren’t you tired of all the complaining? I am. No, really,…
One Mom’s IEP Battle, and What She Discovered.
The Special Education Battle. I woke up this morning and put my armor on. I am weary and broken, but there is still a war…
Do we need to change the way we introduce our disabled children?
How do you introduce your Disabled Child? Do you know what an elevator pitch is? I attend lots of workshops for bloggers and PR stuff,…
Are you a disability tourist?
 “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” Gandhi. I’m taking a year long training program to become a Certified Special…
The PARC Decree and the most under utilized disabilities resource in PA.
In a post I did yesterday, I highlighted a bit of history from the Disability Rights movement and how we got to where we are…
{Thoughtful Thursday} and someone gets to come in last place
Like many parents, while my kids are young I am trying to introduce them to a variety of extra-curricular activities. It can be tough when…
my submitted testimony for the Special Education Funding Commission
Today I testified before our state’s Special Education Funding Commission. This group of individuals has been charged with the responsibility of evaluating the special ed…
Meeting the Governor for signing of HB 2
It’s hard to believe, but over two months have passed since I went with my boys and Kevin’s TSS over to Bucks County for the…
Our day in Harrisburg lobbying for SB 1115~Special Education Funding Reform
Yesterday was such an exciting day for me and Kevin. We were invited to join the Education Law Center and Arc of PA in Harrisburg…
Letter to editor regarding Pennhurst
Most of you have already seen this Letter to the Editor that I wrote to the Daily Local. I’m putting this on here more for…
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