I don’t want you to dread your parent teacher conferences. I really don’t. I get it–as both a seasoned special education advocate, and an IEP parent myself, I get it. It’s not always fun or ...

Navigating the IEP process can feel like trying to solve a puzzle with missing pieces. You know your child deserves more, but figuring out how to get there? That’s a whole different story. Whether you ...

The world of 504 plans can be confusing—what do they actually offer, and how do you ensure your child is getting the support they need? Whether you’re exploring a 504 plan for the first time or trying ...

The special education system is rigged against parents. It’s not your imagination. It is not an even playing field. Lately, I’ve been feeling very deflated. I have written to several people I know in ...

How does a child get an IEP or 504 Plan? Someone, usually a parent or teacher, has referred the child to be evaluated for an IEP or 504 Plan. That is the first step of the IEP process and 504 plan ...

Are you looking for Christmas apps that are both fun and educational? Well, I was and found it nearly impossible to get a good list. So I went digging and found my own. From Christmas social stories ...

I am so done with candy. I feel like from Halloween to Easter, it’s a non-stop barrage of candy and junk food. But my son has already asked me if we’re getting “one of those things where you open the ...

I’m sad that we’re not going to see some family members this Christmas. But I have to admit, I’m a little excited at being able to break some bad habits. Some parts of our family exchange a lot of ...

This question is one that I answer all the time. And mind you, I don’t have an answer for you. But if you’re asking–which is better an IEP or a 504? I can at least help you understand what each will ...

What is the Special Education Referral Process? The special education referral process is the first step in determining if a child qualifies for special education services under IDEA (Individuals with ...

Parents, let’s just put it out there. Sometimes we are so focused on getting our kids’ needs met (and justifiably so!) that we forget that there are two or three other points of view out there. Our ...

One of the most frustrating parts of my job as an advocate is knowing or remembering the little detaily things about special education laws for the various states. I actually live in the little corner ...