My {IEP} child’s bus ride is too long! (ideas on what to do about it)
A Day In Our Shoes Did you know that some American students, particularly those in rural areas such as Reservations, may ride the bus for over 2 hours one way? Not exactly rocket science to identify it...
View ArticleBecome an IEP Educational Surrogate~a disabled child needs you!
A Day In Our Shoes Have you heard of being an IEP educational surrogate parent? Many times parents ask me how they can give back to the special needs community. Particularly for those who have their...
View Articlethe school keeps taking away my child’s recess time!
A Day In Our Shoes “They took away his recess!” It’s a common complaint that I hear. Or read, actually, since much of my communication with parents is online. And every single time I see it, I roll my...
View Article{Ask an Advocate} questions about 19-year-old and the 13th year
A Day In Our Shoes Today’s question: Hello, I am assisting a family with a 19y/0 with many mental health issues that have historically resulted in behaviors and have obstructed academic learning. He is...
View Article{Ask an Advocate} Mom says placement is not “right fit”
A Day In Our Shoes Today’s question: I can not believe the fustration i have been going through trying to get my daughter into the school i found for her. CPS wants to place her were they say is right...
View Article{Ask an Advocate} Mom seeks assistance in resolving diagnostic issues
A Day In Our Shoes Today’s question: I’m new to this whole special ed/IEP process and am feeling lost. My son will turn 3 April 16 and has been working with Early Childhood specialists, including...
View Articlewhen parents get sucked into a trend of negativity in working with school staff
A Day In Our Shoes I thought long and hard about posting this. Someone contacted me over the past few days and asked me some questions. I do not really know this person, but I am used to special needs...
View ArticleTransition: Adolescence to Adulthood and Beyond
A Day In Our Shoes **Hi! As part of the “My nest is supposed to be….empty” series, I will be posting about Adolescence to Adulthood and Beyond monthly! I’m beginning with posts focused on making...
View ArticleIEP parent worksheet + 6 principles of special education
A Day In Our Shoes Do you feel overwhelmed at IEP meetings? Do you have trouble focusing, gathering your thoughts, staying on track? Then this post is for you. Not only do we have this kick-butt IEP...
View ArticleDouble check this item on your child’s IEP
A Day In Our Shoes Imagine for a moment that you are a teacher and it’s the first day of class. Every child is wearing a white baseball-style cap. On the front of each hat is a phrase or two, such as:...
View ArticleHow long should you keep your child’s special ed paperwork (IEPs, RRs)? And...
A Day In Our Shoes How long should you keep your child’s papers and all that stuff? I have it all. Yep, all of it. Every therapist report, every progress report, every IEP, draft IEP, invitation to IEP...
View Article{ABCs of IEPs} A is for Assistive Technology
A Day In Our Shoes Welcome to a new series here on the blog-The ABCs of IEPs. Each day we will be picking a new topic in special education to go with the letter of the alphabet, and explaining it...
View Article{ABCs of IEPs} B is for Behavior
A Day In Our Shoes Welcome to a new series here on the blog-The ABCs of IEPs. Each day we will be picking a new topic in special education to go with the letter of the alphabet, and explaining it...
View Article{ABCs of IEPs} D is for Due Process
A Day In Our Shoes Welcome to the 4th post in the series. Today is D is for Due Process. Due Process. Whew! Where to begin? It’s a heady topic. I think, much like yesterday’s post, I will go through...
View Article{ABCs of IEPs} E is for evaluations
A Day In Our Shoes Welcome to a new series here on the blog-The ABCs of IEPs. Each day we will be picking a new topic in special education to go with the letter of the alphabet, and explaining it...
View Article{ABCs of IEPs} J is for Juvenile Justice System
A Day In Our Shoes Welcome to another post of The ABCs of IEPs. Today is J is for Juvenile Justice System. It’s a depressing topic, honestly, but one that I am VERY passionate about. Kids with IEPs (or...
View Article{ABCs of IEPs} O is for Organize and Ongoing
A Day In Our Shoes Welcome back to the ABCs of IEPs and the letter O. I took a break for a few days and got busy, and honestly, I changed my “O” idea a zillion times before settling on Organize and...
View Article{ABCs of IEPs} Q is for Qualifications
A Day In Our Shoes One holiday is over, so before the next one comes I hope to wrap up the ABCs series. Then, in 2016, I will be adding to it. I usually pick my topics based on what readers ask me...
View Article{ABCs of IEPs} R is for Retaliation
A Day In Our Shoes Welcome to Letter R day. Letter R is for Retaliation, an ugly, ugly topic. Sometimes I hear the stories and think “How, how did we get here?” And, many times I’ve seen a parent seek...
View Article{Ask an Advocate} Should I dress like a stormtrooper for my IEP meeting?
A Day In Our Shoes You might think that I am making this question up! I am not! A friend of mine has two kids with IEPs. She has had quite a few struggles with the IEP process with one child, and has...
View Article{ABCs of IEPs} W is for Wrightslaw~better understand their site for your IEP...
A Day In Our Shoes Welcome to Letter W day! We are in the home stretch of this alphabet series, woohoo! I can’t believe I had a goal of finishing it in October and it’s not going to be done until...
View Article{ABCs of IEPs} X is for eXtracurricular activities and kids with IEPs
A Day In Our Shoes We are in the home stretch! That letter Z is so close I can feel it, can you? Welcome to Letter X day! I bet you thought I’d never find an X word. Well, I did, sort of. Yes, another...
View Articleholding children accountable for behaviors when they have a disability
A Day In Our Shoes Several years ago, I was in Juvenile Court with a teen client. I was her IEP advocate, but on this day I was there for moral support. The grandmother had asked me to speak to the...
View ArticleYes, your child with an IEP can go on the field trip.
A Day In Our Shoes Imagine this–your school is planning a field trip. But, they call you and say “Oh, I’m sorry, your child cannot go because he is African-American.” Or, “We’d love for your daughter...
View Articlemy school said I can’t observe the classroom!
A Day In Our Shoes I’ve been hearing this one frequently lately. And unfortunately, this issue often brings out the pitchfork crowds and a plethora of bad advice. So, rather than having parents pursue...
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