For as much time as I spent talking and teaching parents about IEPs, I don't think I've ever actually explained what an IEP and FAPE are. IEP meaning? What is an IEP plan? If your child is struggling at school (and not just in academics!) then perhaps someone has suggested that you pursue an IEP| A Day in our Shoes
Are you trying to get an IEP for autism, anxiety or ADHD? It doesn't matter, the process is the same. It's kinda weird that I have 100s of articles about IEPs, and I've never done a post on how to request an IEP. Sometimes I get so wrapped up in IEP issues and helping parents| A Day in our Shoes
What is LRE Least Restrictive Environment? Students must be educated in the least restrictive environment to the maximum extent possible, and cannot use budget issues as an excuse not to do it. From Ed.Gov/IDEA Have you heard of LRE or the Least Restrictive Environment continuum? Many parents are unaware of this right or principle of| A Day in our Shoes
IEP in College? No, there are no IEPs in college. That's a statement of fear that I hear from a lot of parents. And, it's true. There are no IEPs in college. The following is a guest post from my friend Lynn. You may recognize her from the Facebook group. Her son, who has autism,| A Day in our Shoes
'I got a call to pick up my daughter today because she put a child in a choke hold.' And of course this child with an IEP was on her way to a suspension. That's what one of our group members posted recently. Sounds awful, right? I mean, obviously, that child needs a behavior plan.| A Day in our Shoes
When was IDEA passed? IDEA was first passed in 1975 as Federal legislation. However, its history began much before that. The history of special education| A Day in our Shoes
For almost 10 years, readers have been asking me questions about an IEP and autism. It's quite common in our message boards to have a| A Day in our Shoes
I find that 'IEP Stay Put' or 'pendency' is one of the most misunderstood concepts of the IEP process. Many parents ask me to send| A Day in our Shoes
Can you Suspend a Student with an IEP? It happened again. You were at work, in the middle of...working. And the phone rings again. You| A Day in our Shoes
You think your child needs an IEP. The school offered a 504, RTII or MTSS. So, what's the difference, and what are your options? Next| A Day in our Shoes
Confused about 504 Plans and IEPs? Discover the key differences and similarities between these education plans to find the best support for your child.| A Day in our Shoes
A Parents' Guide to Functional Behavior Assessments FBAs in Education, Behavior Plans, and more; including how and when to request an FBA.| A Day in our Shoes
Uncovering the Two Types of IEP Violations: Are Your Child's Rights Being Upheld?| A Day in our Shoes
Many parents, as they learn the IEP process, begin to understand that IDEA is the main law that defines IEPs and special education. Of course,| A Day in our Shoes
Is your head spinning at IEP meetings because of all the acronyms? Here are some of the most commonly used Disability and Special Education Acronyms.| A Day in our Shoes
Parents, you need to take ownership of the IEP transition goals and process for your child. Here's how to start.| A Day in our Shoes
As a result of having this website, I have come into contact with thousands of IEP parents. And, at least once a month, I answer| A Day in our Shoes
Mediation, meee--deee-aayyy-shun! I'm singing that in the Cat in the Hat tune. Have you seen that episode where he sings about hibernation? Well, that's what| A Day in our Shoes
IEP Behavior Plans: Not Working This is coming up more frequently in the Facebook group. Your child had an FBA, they have a behavior plan| A Day in our Shoes
IEP Laws and Regulations Several years ago, I was at a fundraiser. It was for an agency that assists disabled people. So, naturally, they had| A Day in our Shoes
For me, both as a Special Education Advocate and a Parent, I find the hardest part of the IEP process to be the IEP eligibility| A Day in our Shoes
Nothing aggravates me more as an advocate than when a parents asks about their IEP parents rights? When you ask me that, I know that| A Day in our Shoes
Ok, so here we go. I used to have IEP reevaluation information in my post about IEP evaluations. But, I've since decided that IEP re-evaluations| A Day in our Shoes
Can you Win a Due Process Hearing without a lawyer? We'd do anything for our kids. Anything. And since some of us have been dealt| A Day in our Shoes
How many times have you heard phrases like these, at IEP meetings, when you've suggested something? I don't think he/she needs that. Why don't we| A Day in our Shoes
Different variations of questions come up about IEP evaluations all the time. Parents are unclear about timelines, what tests to ask for and sometimes get| A Day in our Shoes
Sometimes I encounter a passionate-yet-uninformed parent who exclaims, 'I'm just going to sue the school!' Well, it doesn't really work that way and you can't| A Day in our Shoes
I'd be willing to be my house and my car that 99% of all IEP parents have experienced the 'Let's just wait and see.' It's| A Day in our Shoes
Speaking to you as a parent, I hope that you never have to know what a Manifestation Determination is. Or that you never have to| A Day in our Shoes
Inside: Your first IEP meeting, or even your 10th IEP meeting, can be stressful and scary. Here is what to expect at an IEP meeting.| A Day in our Shoes
Inside: How long does the school have to respond to an IEP meeting request? And, what are the guidelines for an emergency IEP meeting? All| A Day in our Shoes
It's no secret that many kids with disabilities struggle socially and struggle to build and maintain friendships. When Brian tells me stories of kids at| A Day in our Shoes
Sometimes we get so wrapped up in getting our kids' needs met, we forget to address a Student's Strengths. What are your child's strengths? Grabe| A Day in our Shoes
I'm going to wag my finger at you--from this day forward, you do a Parent Concerns Letter for your IEP. Every.single.time. No more 'Well I| A Day in our Shoes
You will definitely want to bookmark or pin this post. I have often said that one of the biggest IEP mistakes that parents make is| A Day in our Shoes
IEE stands for Independent Education Evaluation. It is a provision of IDEA, listed in the Parents' Rights Booklet, or Procedural Safeguards. This will explain what| A Day in our Shoes
Inside: Learn how to STOP STRESSING out over IEP meetings, and be your child's best advocate. A Special Education Advocate who has attended hundreds of| A Day in our Shoes
Is it any wonder that Moms cry at IEP Meetings? Pretend I've invited you to your child's school for a meeting. And this meeting will| A Day in our Shoes
