504 Plans certainly have their place in our education system. After all, they guarantee access to a student's education, even when a disability may be prohibiting access. What's unfortunate is that I see too many 504 Plans being handed out to pacify parents and avoid IEP evaluations. Or, when a 504 plan is warranted, it's| A Day in our Shoes
Everything that parents should know about finding and hiring an IEP Advocate or Special Education Advocate.| A Day in our Shoes
I really hate the term life skills. I mean, after all, we ALL need life skills. It's just that what each person needs to be taught varies greatly. But, if your child has an IEP, and depending on their skill set, a 'life skills classroom' or 'life skills curriculum' may have been suggested to you.| A Day in our Shoes
A sensory diet may help a child improve their self-regulation skills. Read how, why, and getting a sensory diet added to your child's 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
Much like the other posts I have on this site about anxiety, I want to start with the same warning. IEPs are not diagnosis-driven document. They are needs-driven. Your child's needs, determined through their IEP evaluations, will drive the IEP goals that the team creates. Not a diagnosis of anxiety. Still, there are some commonalities| A Day in our Shoes
Photo of Linda Gilmartin with her dog| A Day in our Shoes
The other day, my 13-year-old sports fan and I had a short but confusing discussion. I knew he was looking at a sports-something on Instagram,| A Day in our Shoes
Inside: Take a deep dive into learning about AT Assistive Technology, and how it differs from AAC. And 15 IEP goals for assistive technology.| A Day in our Shoes
As a special education advocate who has attended hundreds of IEP meetings, nothing frustrates me more than dyslexia IEP meetings. Mind you, sensory issues come| A Day in our Shoes
I'm sure if this has happened to you, it sure felt like a gaslighting moment. You have a child. The child sees various doctors and| A Day in our Shoes
This is a concept that I really need parents to grab on to and internalize. I hope that this brings you that 'a-ha!' moment in| A Day in our Shoes
Inside: I hear from many parents who 'don't even want to bother' with an IEP. It's a sentiment I understand, but you may want to| 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
Does your child's IEP transfer from state to state? Can you remain in the same school if you move? Here's what you need to know| 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
What to Ask for on your IEP 'I don't know what to ask for on my IEP!' That question comes up often in our Facebook| 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
Ah, progress monitoring. I find it to be one of the most difficult areas of the IEP, as it pertains to parents. First, the data| A Day in our Shoes
What to do if you are denied an IEP because 'his grades are fine!'| 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
The special education referral process is all about getting your child evaluated for special education services. Once you've been through the steps and your child| 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
Refused IEP Evaluations Let me be blunt. If your child's IEP evaluations suck, the rest of your IEP will be garbage. Without good evaluations, the| A Day in our Shoes
Everything you need for Reading and Reading Comprehension and your IEP: IEP goals, strategies, evaluations, and more.| A Day in our Shoes
IEP Goals How many goals should an IEP have?Who writes IEP goals?Can parents submit IEP goal ideas?What if my child doesn't meet their IEP goals?| 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
Draft IEP Timelines 'Well, Mrs. Lightner, we are not going to be making any changes to this IEP today. Oh lordy. Do I remember that| A Day in our Shoes
We all know the dread and frustration that can accompany IEP meetings. You're armed with data, observations, and a passionate desire to get your child| A Day in our Shoes
As an advocate, I have attended literally hundreds of IEP meetings. I know you, Moms. You're stressed and anxious. This IEP meeting checklist is one| A Day in our Shoes
Organizing an annual IEP review and meeting is a critical responsibility for teachers. It ensures that disabled students receive the appropriate support and services to| A Day in our Shoes
How long is an IEP meeting? How long should an IEP meeting be? How long do IEP meetings last? There's an easy and short answer| A Day in our Shoes
I have to open this post with a shout-out to blog reader Mike T. He emailed me a link to this post, and the printable| 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
What Qualifies a Child for an IEP? What is an IEP student? Is it only for learning disabilities, and what are they? All explained by| A Day in our Shoes
What is OHI on the IEP? A thorough explanation of the Other Health Impairments eligibility category, including ADHD and its listing under OHI Eligibility.| 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