Do you remember when you first grasped the concept of telling time? It's a pivotal skill that opens up a whole new world of understanding and independence for young minds. And when working with a child to practice telling time, it's important that they visualize it. So here are some telling time worksheets. I still| A Day in our Shoes
Slow processing speed is a common issue affecting children's ability to process information quickly. Children with slow processing speed may struggle with tasks that require quick thinking, attention to detail, and following directions. It is important for parents and educators to understand the signs of slow processing speed so that they can provide the necessary| 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
'Mommy, is that Lady Gaga?' When my youngest was a toddler, he LOVED Lady Gaga. I have no idea why or where it came from, but he did. He would ask me to put videos of her on my computer. So, when we were watching the Super Bowl one year, the year that Madonna did| A Day in our Shoes
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
Inside: Learn what IDEA says about the required components of an IEP. An Individualized Education Program (IEP) is a written plan that outlines the unique educational needs of a student with a disability. IDEA (the federal statute that governs IEPs) is clear about what an IEP should include. Most school districts use some type of| A Day in our Shoes
Before you know it, it will be Mental Health Awareness Month. But, I'd like to propose that we all make it a part of our lives to advocate for mental health issues all the time. Not just during a special month. It doesn't have to be complicated or time consuming. Just a few minutes out| A Day in our Shoes
Really, you do. Enough already. {And please don't comment without reading the article}| A Day in our Shoes
Ditch big corporations for good! Learn how to boycott long-term with smart swaps, local alternatives, and survival tips to keep your values & wallet intact.| A Day in our Shoes
Our government just passed a sweeping tax-and-spending bill—nicknamed the “Big Beautiful Bill.” Supporters tout it as a win for the economy. But behind the headlines, the bill slashes over $1 trillion from programs like Medicaid and SNAP. Here are 10 things you and your family will lose if it becomes law. School Nurses and Therapists| A Day in our Shoes
Let me tell you a story I’ve seen play out dozens of times. A parent comes to me, exhausted and worried, but also hopeful. They’ve spent thousands of dollars on a private evaluation for their child. Maybe from a neuropsychologist, a speech therapist, or an occupational therapist. They walk into the IEP meeting clutching that...| A Day in our Shoes
IEPs (Individualized Education Programs) evolve as children grow, but many parents don’t realize just how much they change. What worked in preschool may not be enough in middle school, and high school IEPs come with a whole new set of challenges. Let’s break down how IEPs change from preschool to high school—and what you need...| A Day in our Shoes
Every IEP parent knows this scene: you’ve sat through two hours of charts, reading levels, and test scores. Then you speak up, “Well, every night after homework, she has a meltdown” and the room goes quiet. Someone scribbles a note. Then the meeting just…moves on. That’s the problem. Parent observations are often treated like background...| A Day in our Shoes
It wasn’t just Meijer. When news broke about a disabled Meijer employee being arrested for eating fruit cups out of the trash, many people were shocked. But for those in the disability community? It felt all too familiar. From fast food chains to tech giants, major companies across the U.S. have faced serious allegations—and lawsuits—over| 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
Personal hygiene skills is something that many of us take for granted. If you do not pick up on social cues, and your interoception is different because of your neurodivergence, you may not notice these things. But, others will! That's for sure. And some things, like managing your medication, can be complete barriers to independent| A Day in our Shoes
It's a familiar sight, dating back many decades. We thought we were just playing, and didn't realize we were learning letter recognition. When I was small, we had the wooden blocks with the alphabet on them. Some kids had the plastic alphabet letters with magnets so they'd stick to the fridge. Now, you can get| A Day in our Shoes
'Dysgraphia? What's is dysgraphia? I've never heard of it!' This is a scenario that has come up many times to parents in our online chat group. As parents become more informed, we are better able to advocate for our kids. If you go back even 10-20 years, not many parents had even heard of specific| A Day in our Shoes
Sports for Kids with Disabilities: List of Inclusive Sports Programs for Kids with a Disability, plus the benefits of sports for disabled kids.| A Day in our Shoes
As a kid, I was an unidentified 2E student. They only identified the gifted part and missed the two big learning disabilities. Oh, and I was in adaptive PE. But I didn't have an IEP. Weird, I know. But being the only girl in my school in gifted, missing specials once a week so I| A Day in our Shoes
Here are some reader-recommended sensory toys for adults, including those with disabilities like autism, ADHD, and intellectual disabilities.| A Day in our Shoes
Inside: Learn what perseveration is, what causes it, and how to get unstuck if you are perseverating on something. Plus, IEP goals if a child perseverates and it's interfering with school. Perseveration is a term used in psychology to describe the tendency to repeat a particular behavior or response even when it is no longer| A Day in our Shoes
I recently participated in a local consignment sale. My youngest son had quite the collection of fidget spinners. That was a short-lived trend, wasn't it? I'm kinda glad it's over. For him, anyway. But, for some kids with ADHD, Fidget Spinners and Fidget Toys are therapeutic. I just hope that the trend of spinning them,| A Day in our Shoes
Does your child repeat back words to you, often? Are they repeating words and phrases over and over? Or maybe reciting movie and TV lines? Have you heard of echolalia or scripting? It's a common autistic behavior, though not everyone who does it is autistic. While beliefs and perceptions about autism are changing, there is| A Day in our Shoes
IEPs are long. Like, 80+ pages long. And let’s be real—teachers, aides, and therapists don’t have time to flip through all of that every time they need a reminder about your child’s accommodations. Or substitute teachers. Yes, I am aware that schools are responsible for following the entire IEP, all day every day. But, I'm| A Day in our Shoes
We all know 'rules inside the classroom' is a cute little phrase until it meets Monday morning energy and a backpack full of snacks. If you’ve ever explained “raise your hand before speaking” for the 47th time before 10 a.m., this one’s for you. This free card sorting activity helps kids see, discuss, and practice| A Day in our Shoes
Ever feel like your brain is juggling 27 things at once and dropping all of them? Same. That’s why this Free Downloadable Teacher Planner (14-page PDF) exists—because sticky notes and scribbles on the back of IEPs just aren’t cutting it anymore. Whether you're a special ed teacher, general ed teacher, homeschool parent, or somewhere in| A Day in our Shoes
Easy Daily Routines 'Come ON! You're going to miss the bus!' you scream up the stairs. Or, you answer another barrage of the same questions-Where's my backpack? Mom, I can't find my other shoe! Mom, I told you that we were supposed to wear BLUE today, and I don't have anything clean that is BLUE!| A Day in our Shoes
Voice to Text and Text to Voice apps have really improved in recent years. Here's how to choose one for your child and add it to their IEP.| A Day in our Shoes
Like it or not, tests are a part of school life. Yep, even for our kids with IEPs and 504s. Whether it’s the weekly spelling test, those dreaded benchmark assessments, or state-mandated standardized testing, it's going to happen. Schools love data—and testing is their favorite way to get it, whether it tells the whole story| A Day in our Shoes
Much as I dislike it, our education system is centered around a child's ability to take tests. And, when you work with as many learning-disabled children as I do (or as some teachers do), we usually focus on the academic content and the student being able to demonstrate that they know the content. Non-academic test| A Day in our Shoes
Retaking Tests Accommodation Allowing a student to retake a test is a very common IEP accommodation. And, at first glance, it seems like a reasonable one. Reasonable? Sure. Helpful....mmm, not so sure. Last week I completed a post about extended time on tests. This accommodation goes with that one, and both are seen together, frequently,| A Day in our Shoes
Inside: Browse, print, and use this comprehensive list of 504 Accommodations for Students with Disabilities.| A Day in our Shoes
As an advocate, I'm always on the lookout for innovative ways to help my clients. That includes being collaborative with IEP teams and bringing ideas to the table. That's why I'm excited to share with you the benefits of using critical thinking games in the classroom. These games are a fun and engaging way to| A Day in our Shoes
I honestly cannot believe that this blog is almost 10 years old, and it just occurred to me this week to write about Special Education Funding. I was participating in a webinar and it just hit me. So often, parents ask me, 'Why? Why does it have to be like this? Why does it have| 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
List of what fine motor skills your infant or baby should be developing, and 19 fun activities to practice and help them grow.| A Day in our Shoes
Yes, this bundle really does go away after August 14.I pulled together everything because I’m genuinely worried about how different this school year feels, and how unprepared so many parents are being left to feel. I've never offered this much in one place before, and honestly... I don’t know if I will again. Parent IEP Advocacy Accelerator Bundle $247 value for $49 This limited-time bundle combines my most-requested resources: the book, toolkit, dashboard, and a discount to get you into ...| A Day in our Shoes
If you're staring at a blank “Meet the Teacher” letter and considering just taping your Bitmoji to a sticky note...I’ve got you. This free PDF includes a bunch of Meet the Teacher templates and examples to help you introduce yourself to families without reinventing the wheel. Whether you like it short and sweet or want| A Day in our Shoes
I’ve been at this special needs parenting thing for almost two decades. I’ve hit rock bottom. I’ve had moments of total joy. And everything in between. I know what it feels like to have your world turned upside down by a diagnosis. To feel that wave of fear, grief, and helplessness roll over you. To| A Day in our Shoes
So your kid can recite every dinosaur that ever lived... but can't microwave popcorn or tie their shoes. Or maybe they’re nailing math facts but completely melting down over brushing their teeth. Sound familiar? If you're here, you're probably wondering how the heck you're supposed to teach your kid all these “life skills” on top| A Day in our Shoes
Work completion or task completion refers to the ability to finish a given assignment, project, or task to the best of one's ability, and to do so within the allotted time frame. It is an important skill in academic and professional settings, as well as in personal life, as it enables individuals to meet deadlines,| A Day in our Shoes
Getting an evaluation is the first step on the path to understanding and managing ADHD. But, for those unfamiliar with the disorder, it can be overwhelming to undergo the evaluation without knowing what to expect. So, what is ADHD evaluation like? For the purposes of this article, I will be discussing a medical diagnosis of| A Day in our Shoes
In my career as a special education advocate, I have met a lot of students with executive functioning deficits. So, I have seen accommodations and interventions for executive functioning on a lot of IEPs. Wait, scratch that. I've seen a lot of accommodations for executive functioning, but not a lot of interventions or instruction. Executive| A Day in our Shoes
Nothing frustrates a parent more than to tell a child to 'go clean your room!' only to return two hours later to see the same mess. But just like I tell schools, I sometimes have to remind parents, 'Is this can't do the skill, or won't do the skill?' Some kids truly do not have| A Day in our Shoes
Task avoidance is a common problem that affects many people, from children to adults. It can be defined as the tendency to avoid or delay tasks that are perceived as difficult, unpleasant, or boring. While avoidance behavior may provide temporary relief, it can have negative consequences in the long run, such as increased stress and| A Day in our Shoes
Slow processing speed can be a challenging issue for many children, impacting their ability to keep up with peers and complete tasks in a timely manner. Many parents ask for accommodations for this on an IEP. But, not enough believe you can or know how to improve slow processing speed in kids. You can, and| A Day in our Shoes
Have you ever walked into your child's room to find them sleeping on the floor? I mean, you put them in bed, and you find them curled up on the floor. Or, if you're like me, you feel like your autistic child is sleeping too much. Raise your hand if you're a huge fan of| A Day in our Shoes
The Ultimate Guide to Special Needs Travel: Adequately (and safely!) prepare for a vacation when your child has a disability or special needs. This can save you some headaches and hassles!| A Day in our Shoes
I wrote the below article in March of 2016. Today, in an online call with a few dozen advocates, attorneys and a Policy Director for a US Senator, this issue came up again. As he (the policy director) was talking, I kept thinking, 'Wait, I've heard this before. I've written about this before.' So, as| A Day in our Shoes
Swim Diaper for Adults This has been a huge struggle and colossal waste of money for us. Finding an adult swim diaper for an older child that works. And that fit Kevin well. Kevin has really skinny legs, so finding swim pants that were snug around his legs was a challenge. Well, and his waist.| A Day in our Shoes
We vote with our dollars. When you buy something, you aren't just saying that you like or need the product. You are also saying you support their corporate philosophy and what they do as a company. As parents raising disabled children, we need to band together and vote with our dollars, to create opportunities for| A Day in our Shoes
ARFID 'Mom, I don't want another ham and cheese sandwich for lunch.' 'Well, you don't eat anything else for lunch. Give me something else to put in your lunchbox, and I'll do it.' And so began our journey with ARFID. A few quick facts about ARFID. Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake DisorderWas renamed in DSM 5Is| A Day in our Shoes
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
Today, we’re diving into the world of 504 plans and the burning question: Does a 504 plan expire? Spoiler alert: They don't have a set expiration date, but there's a lot more to it. So, grab your coffee, and let's get into the nitty-gritty of Section 504, what it means for your child’s plan, and| A Day in our Shoes
Before I get to the steps of how to get a 504 plan for your child, I feel the need to get on my soapbox for a moment. Because schools have gone astray, in my opinion, as far as providing 504 plans. Ok, so here goes. 504 Education Plans and IEPs often get lumped together| A Day in our Shoes
If you've been an IEP parent, or been around 'IEP people' for a while, you've likely heard the term 'FAPE' quite a bit. If you've gotten advice from an advocate like me, or maybe even from a special education attorney, you may have heard us say things like, 'That is the school district's final offer| A Day in our Shoes
Normally, I'm against homebound IEP placement for most students. After all, it is one of the most restrictive placement options. It often gets used and abused, and IEP students are placed in this 'no man's land' and fall off the radar and get greatly reduced services. However, the main principle of IEPs is 'individualized,' so| A Day in our Shoes
Before you enroll your child in any school, know the differences between a Public School vs. a Charter School. Outcomes matter!| A Day in our Shoes
For kids with learning disabilities, telling time can be a pretty advanced skill. It's one that requires a lot of cognitive processing, which many of us take for granted. Many kids begin to learn this skill in preschool, but for kids with learning disabilities, learning time and managing time struggles can go well into high| A Day in our Shoes
How long is a benchmark goal on an IEP? And what is the difference between IEP goal benchmarks and IEP goal objectives?| A Day in our Shoes
Buying a Home While Disabled Buying a home while disabled may feel impossible but here are 11 programs available to help you. I've compiled a list of various state and federal resources that may help you buy a home if you are disabled. I was recently asked this question. 'Are there any programs that can| A Day in our Shoes
Ever since iPads and devices came on to the scene about a decade ago, our kids have been benefiting from apps. If you own a device or if your child has one on loan from the school, now is a great time to get in some extra practice. Many times when I have to get| A Day in our Shoes
Remember this? Did you know that way back when...when Tupperware invented this toy, that you were using fine motor skills to play with it? And it was Tupperware! If you're a Gen X'er like me, you definitely remember this Tupperware toy. When I was young enough to play with this toy, IEPs didn't even exist.| A Day in our Shoes
I hear it often. Does your disabled child know how to tie their shoes? And are they past the age of when they should be able to tie their shoes? It's a pretty common problem. After all, if your child struggles with fine motor coordination, sequencing, and other issues that are elements of shoe-tying, it| A Day in our Shoes
The other day, my younger son and I were on my tablet. We were choosing team gear to purchase for his new AAU basketball team. I was looking at the website and he was on his phone, and he was describing things to me and asking me questions (what size do I wear? should I| A Day in our Shoes
Parents can certainly assist the IEP team with developing goals. One IEP area that I find parents and teachers struggle with is addressing the skill of writing. And by writing, I'm talking about content, not fine-motor handwriting skills. If your child struggles with handwriting, I would read this post on dysgraphia or ask for an| A Day in our Shoes
Are you good at sports? Is your child? Have you been told that you just 'aren't good at sports?' I have. In fact, I was in adaptive PE as a kid. I hated sports. Turns out, I really needed some help with my visual motor skills and visual motor integration. Isn’t it amazing how many| 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
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
How stressed out are you by daily routines? What about your kids? I mean, it's something that we do, as a household, every.single.day. Why does it have to be so stressful? Most of us do not use visual schedules at home though many kids use them at school. These free printable visual schedules for home| A Day in our Shoes
Back when I was in high school, when we got our driver's licenses, most of us got jalopies as cars. They were old, rusty, and honestly, sometimes unreliable. So I also often received AAA memberships in my Christmas stocking. Because that's what we did--when our cars broke down or got a flat tire, we found| 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
Task paralysis is the inability to start or complete tasks, affecting productivity and causing stress. It can be caused by various factors, not just ADHD.| A Day in our Shoes
Is Sensory Overload really a 'thing?' YES. It happens to people with anxiety, autism, ADHD, and other conditions. How to help and prevent sensory overload.| A Day in our Shoes
During 2020 and 2021, when we were all stuck at home, I took the opportunity to engage subject matter experts to do some online chats with parents.Here is one of those videos, and the information is still very relevant, and not covid-specific.I hope you find it helpful and informative.| 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
First, let me say that I am not in love with this article's title. IEP decisions are team decisions. No one IEP team member should be deciding things like this--such as eligibility. Still, I want parents to use it as a starting point. Chances are, if you landed here on this article, you may already| A Day in our Shoes
ADHD overwhelm can be a daily struggle for those affected. Learn about coping strategies, self-care techniques, and seeking support to manage symptoms.| A Day in our Shoes
The special education system is rigged against parents. It's not your imagination. It is not an even playing field. Lately, I've been feeling very deflated. I have written to several people I know in this field to reach out for help, reach out for ideas. Anyone who knows me, you know, I really try to| A Day in our Shoes
These extra costs don't occur because my child is disabled. They occur because our society is not set up to support disabled people.| A Day in our Shoes
If you’ve been hearing the term 504 plan and wondering what it is, how it works, or if your child might need one, you’re not alone. A 504 plan is one of the most misunderstood tools in education. Has your child been recently offered a 504 plan, or you've been told that they need one?| A Day in our Shoes
One of the most frustrating parts of my job as an advocate is knowing or remembering the little detaily things about special education laws for the various states. I actually live in the little corner of Pennsylvania where it meets both Delaware and Maryland. I could walk to both state borders if I had to| A Day in our Shoes
Over the years, I cannot even count how many times I've been asked if I have a FAPE checklist on the site. Now, I can finally answer with a 'Yes!' With input from teachers, advocates, parents and even a few school admins who I had look over this, this free FAPE compliance checklist is a| A Day in our Shoes
Time Blindness is a phenomenon associated with ADHD, but it is not exclusive to ADHD. Read what it is and how to manage it if you have time blindness.| A Day in our Shoes
Pros and Cons of Homeschooling In recent years, many of us were thrown into some version of homeschooling that we never planned on. Those experiences have caused many parents to reevaluate their IEP situation, their family situation and wonder...should I just homeschool my child? Making the decision to homeschool your child is huge and one| A Day in our Shoes
Here you will find Executive Functioning IEP Goals, executive functioning IEP goals for ADHD, and some IEP Organizational Goals. This is one of the oldest articles on the site and is updated frequently. Since this post has evolved so much, I have broken down executive functioning into its subsets of skills. Back when I started| A Day in our Shoes
Telling time is an essential executive function that our kids need to live independently. Of course supports and accommodations can be put in place, but it will be very difficult for anyone to live on their own without the ability to tell time. Telling time is considered a math skill. Telling time IEP goals will| A Day in our Shoes
Sequencing Pictures Sequencing is an important executive function. It is a foundation skill that children must develop before they can move on to more complex functions. More on that in a bit. Sequencing is how we put our thoughts and our world in order. We have to sequence not only the tasks we do every| A Day in our Shoes
When a child has math skills and can apply them to everyday life, it can be something we take for granted. Many of us are familiar with the moaning and groaning while doing math and saying, 'But I'm never going to use this in my everyday life!' But, you might! My teen can now do| A Day in our Shoes
Remember when we were little, and we thought nickels were worth more than dimes, just because they were bigger? Ah, those were the days. As part of adulting, we need to teach our kids practical money skills or functional math skills which are a subset of functional math IEP goals. Few kids even see dimes| 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
In 1936, Edward William Dolch published his list of what he called 'Sight Words.' Dolch, an advocate of the 'whole word reading' approach, argued that his list of 220 words was used in up to 75% of all school texts, libraries, newspapers, and magazines. This is why I made sure to point out that the| A Day in our Shoes
While Medicaid fraud exists, targeting children with disabilities to combat it is misguided. Discover the true sources of fraud and why protecting essential services for vulnerable kids is paramount.| A Day in our Shoes
Congress just passed a bill slashing Medicaid by $880 billion, threatening care for millions of disabled children. Learn how you can take action now.| A Day in our Shoes
Politicians-disability-community-family. You'd think that those words would go together, right? Do you remember it? It seems like a lifetime ago. But how the gossip was spreading in the disability community. 'She has a son with Down Syndrome.' Wow, it was someone like us! Believe it or not, I was a fan of Sarah Palin. Wait,| A Day in our Shoes
Insurance Appeals 'I just know you're going to do a blog post about this!' my friend Lisa told me. Yes, I knew I would. After all, any time I learn something that benefitted my child and could potentially help other children, I want to share the information. Particularly when it comes to navigating a difficult| A Day in our Shoes
