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 people ask us for IEP meeting tips for parents to have a greater chance to get the IEP their child needs, these four must-haves are almost impossible to beat. 1) Record the meeting. Whether it is in person or…
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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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As COVID-19 continues to spread in the United States, remote learning has become one of the safest ways for students to continue their education in the coming fall. In the San Francisco Bay Area, all schools are required to provide…
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In March of this year, school districts had a very short amount of time to go from in-person instruction to distance learning. It was a huge shift for teachers, administrations, families, and students. Between changes in our children’s school, our…
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