In this episode of "Don't IEP Alone," special education advocate Lisa Lightner dives into the intricacies of IEPs and 504 plans, highlighting key red flags to watch out for in the process. From the misuse of 504 plans as an "IEP light" to language manipulation in accommodations and the crucial importance of a robust present level section, Lisa provides valuable insights for parents navigating the special education system. Tune in as she uncovers common pitfalls and offers practical advice for ad...
Apr 23, 2024•17 min
In this episode of "Don't IEP Alone," Lisa Lightner delves into the complexities and personal challenges of navigating autism awareness and advocacy. As a dedicated advocate and parent to a child with autism, Lisa shares her journey of supporting her son, Kevin, from early diagnosis to adulthood. She passionately explores the impact of self-advocacy on the options available for individuals with autism, candidly discussing how certain advocacy efforts have influenced government policies and suppo...
Apr 18, 2024•29 min
In this episode of "Don't IEP Alone," Lisa Lightner addresses the challenges of navigating behavior issues and suspensions in the school setting, particularly as the end of the school year approaches. She highlights the need to address the core issues behind a child's behavior and emphasizes the importance of engaging the child in finding solutions. Lisa acknowledges the complexities faced by parents and teachers, especially in the current climate, and offers practical advice on advocating for y...
Apr 16, 2024•17 min
In this episode of Don't IEP Alone, Lisa Lightner dives into the complex and often misunderstood topic of behavior in the school setting. She discusses the evolution of functional behavior assessments and behavior improvement plans over the years, shedding light on the flaws and misconceptions surrounding these processes. Lisa shares real-life examples of children struggling with behaviors in school and provides valuable insights into the root causes of such behaviors. She emphasizes the importa...
Apr 09, 2024•20 min
Welcome to "Don't IEP Alone," the podcast that provides support and guidance for parents navigating the world of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and special education. In today's episode titled, we dive into the essential concept of Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) and its significance in the IEP process. Host Lisa Lightner, a seasoned advocate and parent, sheds light on the intricacies of FAPE, its legal implications, and the critical role it plays in shaping the educationa...
Apr 02, 2024•13 min
Welcome to "Don't IEP Alone," the podcast that provides empowering and informative content for parents navigating the complex world of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). In this episode, Lisa dives into the fundamental question, "What is an IEP?" Expert advocate Lisa breaks down the intricacies of IEPs, shedding light on their significance, the legal framework, and the crucial role they play in the educational journey of children with disabilities. From understanding the federal definitio...
Mar 26, 2024•12 min
Read it instead: Can Students be Excluded from Field Trips for Behavior ? Sale I mention in episode: https://adayinourshoes.org/dont-iep-alone-academy/ Welcome to another episode of "Don't IEP Alone," where we discuss all things related to Individualized Education Plans. Today, our host Lisa Lightner delves into the controversial topic of excluding disabled students from field trips. She touches on the legal aspects, provides practical advice for parents facing this issue, and shares her insight...
Feb 28, 2024•27 min
In this episode of "Don't IEP Alone," we're diving into the essential topic of organizing your child's Individualized Education Program (IEP) paperwork. Host Lisa Lightner shares her firsthand experience and expertise, having worked on developing her own IEP organizer for over a decade. From useful tips on creating a thorough IEP planner to the benefits of quarterly updates and goal tracking, this episode offers practical advice to help parents become more effective advocates for their children....
Feb 22, 2024•14 min
Welcome to "Don't IEP Alone," the podcast that provides support and resources for parents navigating the world of Individualized Education Programs. In today's episode, "The Power of Words: Dyslexia Writing Solutions with Russell Van Brocklen," we delve into the challenges faced by dyslexic students and explore innovative methods for improving their writing skills. Our special guest, Russell Van Brocklen, shares his personal experience with dyslexia and his journey to develop a groundbreaking pr...
Feb 20, 2024•37 min
Welcome to "Don't IEP Alone." In this episode, we delve into the topic of regression, a concern many parents face when it comes to their child's education. Our expert speakers, Lisa Lightner and Monica McHale from the @Learning Disabilities Association of America, offer valuable insights and practical advice for parents navigating the challenges of regression, especially amidst the current pandemic. From discussing ways to gather data at home to understanding the impact of COVID-19 on IEP meetin...
Feb 15, 2024•1 hr
Welcome to the "Don't IEP Alone" podcast. In today's episode, we delve into the fascinating and often misunderstood world of ADHD. Our host engages in a dynamic conversation with a renowned pediatric neurologist Dr. Sarah Cheyette, specializing in ADHD, who shares invaluable expertise and practical guidance. From the impact of medication to non-medication strategies, the necessity of understanding a child's unique perspective, and the challenges of parenting amid a pandemic, this episode offers ...
Feb 13, 2024•53 min
Welcome to the "Don't IEP Alone" podcast with Lisa Lightner, where we bring you expert insights and strategies to support your child's educational journey. In today's episode, "The Role of Executive Functioning in Learning Unveiling Strategies with Tera Sumpter, SLP," we delve into the crucial role of executive functioning in learning and unveil practical strategies to support children with executive function challenges. Our guest, Tera Sumpter, a speech-language pathologist specializing in exec...
Feb 08, 2024•1 hr 2 min
In this episode of Don't IEP Alone, host Lisa Lightner interviews Julie Walters from The Connected Parent. Julie shares her journey as a neurodivergent parent raising two children with IEPs and how her experiences led her to create The Connected Parent, a national online platform that connects families with disability-related services and resources. Julie offers insight into the challenges of finding specialized services and the importance of creating a supportive community for individuals with ...
Feb 06, 2024•14 min•Season 3Ep. 24
In this episode of "Don't IEP Alone," host Lisa Lightner speaks with Rachel Solomon, a young entrepreneur from Massachusetts with cerebral palsy. Rachel shares her inspiring journey of independence and her winning idea for a business called Quick Change. Her idea addresses the challenges of obtaining and maintaining medical equipment, like walkers, through a subscription-based service. Rachel discusses her experience with the NFFTY entrepreneur contest, her plans for the future of Quick Change, ...
Jan 30, 2024•19 min•Season 3Ep. 23
Welcome back to "Don't IEP Alone," with Lisa Lightner where we provide support and guidance for parents navigating the complex world of Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings and special needs advocacy. In today's episode, we hear from Kelley Coleman, a parent, advocate, and author who shares her personal experiences and expertise in parenting a disabled child. Kelley's insights shed light on the challenges of obtaining support and services for disabled children, and she emphasizes the ...
Jan 25, 2024•28 min•Season 3Ep. 21
Welcome back to "Don't IEP Alone," with Lisa Lightner where we provide support and guidance for parents navigating the complex world of Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings and special needs advocacy. In today's episode, we hear from Kelley Coleman, a parent, advocate, and author who shares her personal experiences and expertise in parenting a disabled child. Kelley's insights shed light on the challenges of obtaining support and services for disabled children, and she emphasizes the ...
Jan 23, 2024•27 min•Season 3Ep. 21
Welcome back to Don't IEP Alone! In today's episode, we have Maria Slavin, the Founder of In-Sync and Social, LLC, and Exceptional Moms Coaching, with over 20 years of experience in occupational therapy. As a trusted clinical and educational consultant in the Philadelphia area, Maria specializes in social-emotional learning and self-regulation, offering a combined sensory and behavioral approach through her private practice. A certified life and executive coach, Maria is dedicated to helping ind...
Jan 18, 2024•17 min•Season 3Ep. 20
Welcome back to Don't IEP Alone! In today's episode, we have Maria Slavin, the Founder of In-Sync and Social, LLC, and Exceptional Moms Coaching, with over 20 years of experience in occupational therapy. As a trusted clinical and educational consultant in the Philadelphia area, Maria specializes in social-emotional learning and self-regulation, offering a combined sensory and behavioral approach through her private practice. A certified life and executive coach, Maria is dedicated to helping ind...
Jan 16, 2024•26 min•Season 3Ep. 19
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 with severe autism and other disabilities. They share personal experiences, discuss challenges with terminology and language, and highlight the difficulties faced by families in navigating service models and regulations. The conversation also addresses the need for policymakers to understand and address the unique challenges of profoundly affected...
Jan 09, 2024•53 min•Season 3Ep. 18
Welcome to "Don't IEP Alone," the podcast that provides support and guidance for parents navigating the world of Individualized Education Programs. In today's episode, we'll be sharing 12 valuable tips for special education parent-teacher conferences during IEP season. Whether you're a seasoned veteran or new to this journey, these insights will help you approach these important meetings with confidence and clarity. From setting expectations and communication strategies to addressing concerns an...
Dec 19, 2023•40 min•Season 3Ep. 17
Welcome to another empowering episode of the "Don't IEP Alone" podcast! I'm your host, Lisa Lightner, and today, I am thrilled to have a special guest, Nicole Santiago, from Family Adventures. Nicole shares her incredible journey, transitioning from a dedicated Spanish teacher to becoming an advocate for children with diverse learning needs, driven by personal experiences with her own three children, each facing unique challenges. In this episode, we delve into Nicole's inspiring advocacy work, ...
Dec 07, 2023•26 min
Welcome, everyone! I'm Lisa Lightner, and I'm thrilled to bring you another episode of "Don't IEP Alone." Whether you're tuning in on YouTube or on different podcast platforms, or catching up with me on LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Instagram, I'm glad you're here. Don't forget to hit that subscribe button so you never miss an episode. I want to delve into the concept of "gotcha." Four specific situations have recently come up where parents felt they had the upper hand, armed with what they believed ...
Dec 05, 2023•19 min•Season 3Ep. 16
Welcome to "Don't IEP Alone" with your host, Lisa Lightner. If you're navigating the world of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and special education, this podcast is your go-to resource. In this episode, Lisa delves into the intriguing concept of parents as the IEP police. Drawing from her own experiences as a former special education compliance monitor in Pennsylvania, she unveils the inner workings of the compliance monitoring process and sheds light on the limitations it presents. As ...
Nov 30, 2023•16 min•Season 3Ep. 15
Welcome back to another episode of "Don't IEP Alone." I'm your host, Lisa Lightner, a special education advocate based near Philadelphia. In today's episode, we're diving into the world of social skills, just in time for the upcoming Thanksgiving festivities. As we gear up for the holiday season, it's essential to recognize that our children, especially those with ADHD, intellectual disabilities, or autism, may not always exhibit traditional social skills. Join me as we navigate through the chan...
Nov 28, 2023•17 min•Season 3Ep. 14
Welcome back to another episode of Don't IEP Alone. I'm Lisa Lightner, your host, and in today's episode, we dive into the important topic "No-Meet Addendum". In this episode, I encourage parents to consider the no-meet addendum for manageable changes, emphasizing its efficiency and time-saving benefits. I recently used it for a transportation tweak and even when my son was temporarily without a nurse. So, as we approach the holiday rush, remember, that a no-meet addendum can be your ally for st...
Nov 21, 2023•14 min•Season 3Ep. 13
Welcome to another episode of Don't IEP Alone podcast! This episode is the Part 2 of "Let's Talk About Behavior". Children with autism and other learning disabilities often struggle with negative behaviors. These behaviors are often a result of the child's lack of skills or sensory experiences. Behavior plans are often used to address these behaviors. However, behavior plans should not be used to punish or reward a child for a skill set or a sensory experience. Instead, behavior plans should be ...
Nov 16, 2023•15 min•Season 3Ep. 12
Welcome to another episode of Don't IEP Alone podcast! In this episode, we will talk about BEHAVIOR! Lisa Lightner, host of the Don't IEP Alone Podcast, discusses the flaws and trends she's seeing with problematic FBAs. She argues that anyone can do an FBA, but not everyone has the necessary training to do so effectively. She also points out that FBAs often don't go deep enough to identify the root cause of a child's behavior. Finally, she suggests that parents should make sure that their child'...
Nov 15, 2023•17 min•Season 3Ep. 11
Welcome to another episode of Don't IEP Alone podcast! In this episode, titled "IEE: Understanding Your Options," we dive into the important topic of Independent Education Evaluations (IEEs). Relevant Article: https://adayinourshoes.com/iee-independent-education-evaluation/ Host Lisa Leitner opens up about a recent somber experience and reminds us to cherish our loved ones. She then delves into the world of IEEs, debunking common myths and shedding light on the different types available. Lisa sh...
Nov 08, 2023•24 min•Season 3Ep. 9
Welcome back to another episode of Don't IEP Alone. I'm Lisa Lightner, your host, and in today's episode, we continue our discussion on IEP evaluations. Relevant Links: https://adayinourshoes.com/iep-re-evaluations-what-parents-need-to-know-timelines/ https://adayinourshoes.com/iep-evaluations-iee-timeline/ This is part three of the series, where we dive into the quiet waiting period after requesting evaluations. As parents, we often find ourselves eagerly awaiting the results, and I'll share so...
Nov 01, 2023•24 min•Season 3Ep. 8
Navigating the IEP Evaluation Process: Part 2 - Permission to Evaluate Form Explained Relevant Links: https://adayinourshoes.com/iep-evaluations-iee-timeline/ https://adayinourshoes.com/iep-re-evaluations-what-parents-need-to-know-timelines/ Welcome back to another episode of Don't IEP Alone with Lisa Leitner! In today's episode, we are diving into part two of our series on IEP evaluations. Last time, we discussed the importance of requesting evaluations in writing and providing concrete example...
Oct 25, 2023•22 min•Season 3Ep. 8
