IEP goals are the future. IEP Present Levels is where the child is now; goals are where we want them to be. But, learning how to write an IEP goal that is both measurable and effective, is something that both teachers and parents should learn. Teachers and IEP staff need to know this, since they| A Day in our Shoes
I am wildly passionate about kids being toilet trained if it is a possibility. I never dreamed I would be a passionate advocate for toilet training. But here I am. Lack of toileting skills is one functional IEP skill that really carries a serious stigma for our kids. It's very ostracizing for an older child| 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
'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
Lots of teens love video games. Everyone knows that. And many teens, autistic or neurotypical, play video games too often, which can interfere with daily living. That doesn't necessarily mean that they are hyperfixated on video games. But do you remember the story a few years ago about the young man who died after playing| A Day in our Shoes
I got two inquiries recently that are very similar. Both parents asked for something on their child's IEP and were told, 'We don't do that here. It happens often. Can a school say that? Can they deny a service based on 'we don't offer that here?' You've heard it before, right? Short answer, no. So| A Day in our Shoes
'How do I get Wilson Reading Program added to my child's IEP?' That's a question that comes up a lot. If your child is a struggling reader, then they need a reading intervention program. But how do you know which one to use or ask for on an IEP. Below I have listed common reading| A Day in our Shoes
Does your child benefit from a visual reinforcer? Then take a look at these online and other visual timers for kids who have sensory needs.| A Day in our Shoes
Neuropsych Evaluations If your child has an IEP, and you've been immersed in the world of special education, at some point you have probably heard| 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
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
Uncovering the Two Types of IEP Violations: Are Your Child's Rights Being Upheld?| A Day in our Shoes
The After School Meltdown, we've all seen it. Here's what to know about after school restraint collapse, and getting your IEP team on board to| 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
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
If your child has an IEP, you undoubtedly are surrounded by special education acronyms all the time. One of the more frequently used acronyms is| A Day in our Shoes
14 Categories of Disabilities in IDEA There are 14 categories of disabilities listed in IDEA. Autism Deaf-blindness Deafness Developmental delay (DD) Emotional disturbance (ED) Hearing| 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
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
Raise your hand if you just LOVE going to IEP meetings. (waits) No one? Raise your hand if you drink a bottle of wine the| A Day in our Shoes
IEP Attorney For many families, there comes a time in your IEP journey that you and the school reach an impasse. You've gone back and| A Day in our Shoes
I looked at the mom/client sitting next to me at truancy court and gave her hand a squeeze. She looked up and gave me a| A Day in our Shoes
I remember I was working with this client one time. We had held an IEP meeting, and we were wrapping up a few loose ends.| A Day in our Shoes
Can a student refuse an IEP or can a parent refuse special education? It's weird to me, because as an advocate, I've spent over a| A Day in our Shoes
'Make sure you cry at the IEP meeting, it shows them how passionate you are about your child!' I still cringe when I think about| 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
You're sitting in your IEP meeting. Things seem to be going well. Everyone is pleasant and there's a constructive conversation. But your gut is telling| A Day in our Shoes
Ask almost any Special Education Advocate, and they'll tell you that Present Levels is the most important section of the IEP. Present Levels has several| A Day in our Shoes
What to know about getting a 1:1 aide or para on your child's IEP. From what qualifies a child for a 1:1 aide to getting| A Day in our Shoes
IEP Mom Advocates IEP Moms are just the greatest. I've found that if you talk to Mom-Advocates, who I define as being pretty well versed| 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
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
Inside: After the IEP meeting, here is what to expect. Including the after IEP meeting email, and when you should receive the final IEP. It| 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
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
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