Part 2 – Becoming autodidactic is the road to successful parent advocacy
Lately, the conversation on my FB page has been about mandated IEP team members and lawful excusals. There are many parents who don't know their rights when it comes to these issues and that's the...
Becoming autodidactic is the road to successful parent advocacy (Part 1)
There are many parents on my Facebook pages that write comments about what’s happening in IEP meetings. Many of these comments are so shocking to me and I am appalled with how many schools across...
Prior Written Notice: The little-known most powerful parent advocacy tool
Utilizing your right to demand a Prior Written Notice (PWN) is huge when used properly and not enough parents use it or are aware of what it is. When you make a request in writing or at an IEP...
Bullying Strategies for Children with Special Needs
One out of five children experiences bullying. Children with disabilities are more likely to be bullied than their peers. It was found that "35.3% of students with behavioral and emotional...
Responding to School Discipline
Childhood discipline can haunt kids later in their education. There are many school disciplinary actions inflicted upon students without giving parents any kind of say-so in the matter. It is a...
What you should do if your child refuses to go to school
If your child has repeatedly refused to go to school, please don’t wait to take proactive steps to address this behavior. School avoidance is when a child refuses to attend school or has difficulty...
The power of the Parent Input Section in the IEP
Do you know where to find the Parent Input section in your child’s IEP? If you’re like most parents, the answer is most likely “no”. One of the first things I do when I'm working with my clients is...
The straight-up facts about hiring a special education advocate
An advocate has the power to hold your child’s future in his or her hands. You need to do your due diligence if you want to make a wise choice regarding the person to whom you give this enormous...
What is TRANSITION PLANNING?
Transition planning is written into the very purpose of IDEA… “To ensure that all children with disabilities have available to them, a free appropriate public education that emphasizes special...
Is a mother to blame?
Over the years, I can’t tell you how many times I have had mothers tell me they were blamed for their child’s disability, anxiety, or behavior problems. Doctors take license to have the audacity to...