The Undivided Blog

If you’re raising a child with a disability, chances are you’ve spent a lot of time trying to make sense of your child’s behaviors and big emotions — whether it’s an emotional outburst, hitting, avoiding tasks, shutdowns, head banging, wandering off, refusing to go to school, or constant calls from school about “non-compliance” and “discipline." ...

Undivided Parent and Navigator duo Isabelle and Kelly talk about how they worked together to advocate for inclusion with supports, language immersion, and retention. Isabelle shares how her advocacy affected her daughter’s kindergarten experience. Listen anywhere you get your podcasts!

"SMART" IEP goals are great… but there’s a better IEP in town, and it’s got a lot to say. With IEP season in full swing, we’re setting our sights on what actually makes an IEP great: it’s strength-based and has goals that are standards-aligned, generative, pivotal, inclusive, and truly meaningful for your child. That’s a ...

What counts as a “related service” in an IEP — and how do you know if your child is getting the right support? In this episode, Dr. Sarah Pelangka, special education advocate and owner of KnowIEPs, breaks down services like speech therapy, OT, 1:1 aides, AAC, counseling, and more. She explains how these supports are determined ...

General education classroom, special education classroom, homeschool, non-public school, private school, residential placement, independent study — there are a lot of placement options, and figuring out what’s right for your child can feel overwhelming (and often super emotional), especially if you and the IEP team don’t see eye to eye. If you’re weighing options, asking ...

California’s proposed 2026–27 budget is here — and the decisions made in the coming months could directly impact programs and services that children with disabilities rely on every day. Hosted by Lindsay Crain, this episode features Christofer Arroyo, Deputy Director of Policy and Public Affairs for the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, breaking down what’s ...

Communication plays a role in every part of our kids’ lives — how they share needs, connect with others, express themselves, and access learning. When communication doesn’t look like spoken words, families are often left navigating big questions about literacy, school support, and long-term independence. Maybe you’ve been told that augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) ...

Eye gaze AAC is powerful technology — but understanding how it works is key to using it effectively. In this episode, experts break down how high-tech eye gaze systems use infrared lights, cameras, and specialized software to track eye movement and translate it into communication. We also discuss why eye gaze isn’t plug-and-play, why professional support ...

Transitions and milestones have a way of sneaking up on us, even when we know they’re coming. One day you’re finally feeling like you’re getting into the groove of your child’s school routine, and the next you’re being asked to consider what’s next – a new grade level, a new school, new classmates, teachers, and ...

In this episode of Undivided Voices, Dr. Sarah Pelangka, special education advocate and owner of KnowIEPs, breaks down one of the most important—and often overwhelming—parts of the special education process: assessments. Dr. Pelangka explains how assessments work, how they’re administered, how to read and understand results, and what families can do if they disagree with the ...