Quarantine and self-isolation has taken a toll on all of us this calendar year, so here are five activities for students with intellectual disabilities to do during quarantine! Take breaks to play outside! While it is incredibly important for students…
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IEP (Individualized Education Plan) meetings can be tough; here are 5 IEP mistakes to avoid: Going in unprepared. The District part of the IEP team has put great thought into what they are going to say during the IEP meeting….
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We all want to help our children grow, learn, and thrive. Parents of children with special needs often feel under great stress to do absolutely everything they can to help their child “catch up” to their typically developing peers. This…
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Do you know how to be a good advocate for your child? As experienced advocates, we always tell parents there is no one “right” way to advocate for their child with special needs. There are some wrong ways like: yelling,…
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When should you sign your child’s IEP document? You have probably heard you should not sign the IEP at the end of an IEP team meeting. Many school districts confidently push the IEP towards the parent(s) and say, “Sign here.”…
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One question Susie and I often receive from parents is, “Is it adversarial to hire an advocate?” Absolutely not—when parents hire the right advocate. Some school districts behave in such a way that makes parents afraid of “rocking the boat”….
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In 2021, every Regional Center client in the state of California will be eligible for the Self-Determination Program. This is exciting news because it means every client is eligible for a Person-Centered Plan! Why do you need a Person-Centered Plan? …
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Parents’ rights in an IEP meeting are often glossed over. Why is that? Parents are important members of the IEP team, but sometimes we are not made to feel that way. There are many things parents need to know when…
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Have you ever felt frustrated with an IEP meeting agenda that seems irrelevant to your child’s education? Do you feel like the IEP team is not listening to your suggestions or that no matter what you say, the meeting does…
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For parents of children with special needs, composing and executing a back to school list can be very stressful. We have compiled a checklist of our top four items you will need to address to help give your child their…
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