If we have to choose one key rule to IEPs and Special Education, it is: “If it is not in writing, it never happened.” This also includes any of your requests for assessments, requests for records, requests for IEP meetings,…
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Finding great resources for parents with a child with special needs can be difficult. Happily, we at Aspire Advocacy have compiled a list of some of the high-quality resources we find most useful as parents of children with special needs….
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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 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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