Category: Special Education

Progress reports, baselines, hard data, service logs, present levels, school metrics, — sounds like a giant word salad, right? It’s easy to wonder — do these numbers and reports really matter? Can’t we just save all the data talk for the annual IEP meeting? But understanding how our kids’ progress is measured and reported, and …

In California, every special education student’s IEP needs to include academic goals that match their grade’s state standards  — sounds serious, right? We all know IEPs are a big deal, but how they connect with Common Core may sound utterly confusing at first — don’t worry, we’ll explain. Think of it like a ladder, where …

At the heart of creating an effective IEP is truly understanding what makes our kids unique — strengths, goals, needs, and everything in between. But navigating assessments can feel like trying to unravel a giant spider web of information — great for Halloween decorations, but overwhelming when it’s about our kids. First, your child is …

The transition out of high school and into adulthood is a big milestone for our children, and in truth, ourselves as well. While we’re watching our kiddos grow up at what feels like a mile a minute, we also have to prepare for their life post-high school — whether that includes college, day programs, or …

While school offers plenty of opportunities for kids to have fun, engage in extracurricular activities, and learn new things, it can also feel extra vulnerable, and sometimes downright scary — especially for our kiddos. Socializing and making friends is daunting enough, but what if they’re also feeling like they just can’t fit it, or they’re …

Let’s face it, parents — navigating the world of IEPs can feel intimidating, whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned vet. IEPs contain all of our kids’ goals, accommodations, and services for the school year, and because they’re often the first document teachers see, they tend to shape the first impression teachers get of our …

Now that the school year is in full gear, it’s the perfect time to check in on our kiddos, and their IEPs. We know how much effort it takes to get your child’s IEP just right, but if it’s not being followed or doesn’t reflect their current needs, it’s not doing its job. The fall …

When it comes to related services, a question many parents find themselves asking is, ‘How do I know if my child actually NEEDS related services?’ According to special education advocate Dr. Sarah Pelangka: “It’s really a matter of knowing and understanding your child and what you know can benefit your child. Like, ‘Hey, my child …

With the start of a new school year, we all want to make sure that the supports our kiddos need to thrive in school are in place — and actually being implemented in their classrooms. This includes accommodations, which are vital in removing barriers to learning and meeting students where THEY are. Accommodations adapt HOW …

“‘Disability’ is not a bad word. Use it. There’s no need to replace it with euphemism; use it respectfully.” — Diana Pastora Carson, creator of Beyond Awareness Talking about disabilities can be tricky. As parents, it’s natural to feel uncertain about the right words to use when discussing our children’s disabilities, whether it’s with providers, …