In this video, Lucia Serio, owner of Bookworm Educational and Psychological Services Incorporated, discusses the importance of advocating for a dynamic assessment for your child. Stayed tuned to learn practical tips for navigating the assessment process and empowering your child to thrive.

Tips to Advocate for a Dynamic Assessment for Your Child

Join Lucia Serio, owner of Bookworm Educational and Psychological Services Incorporated, dives into how dynamic assessment can be a powerful tool to support ongoing learning. Unlike traditional evaluations, dynamic assessment focuses on a child’s growth potential by identifying how they learn best and where they can benefit from targeted support.

Using a Dynamic Assessment as a Tool for Learning Over Time

Follow along as Owner of Bookworm Educational and Psychological Services Incorporated, Lucia Serio, breaks down when it's possible to use a dynamic assessment.

When Can We Use Dynamic Assessments?

Join Learning Disabilities Specialist Elizabeth C. Hamblet as she breaks down the essential documentation and assessments needed to obtain student accommodations. Whether you're navigating the process for the first time or seeking clarity on requirements, this video provides valuable insights to help students get the support they deserve.

What Documentation or Assessments Are Needed for Student Accommodations?

Join Learning Disabilities Specialist Elizabeth C. Hamblet as she explores how to equip students with the tools they need to manage their own college accommodations. In this video, Elizabeth shares strategies for teaching self-advocacy, understanding their legal rights, and navigating the transition from high school to college. 


How Can We Prepare Our Kids for Their Increased Responsibility in College When it Comes to Getting Accommodations

Christine Tolbert, Self-Determination Program Manager for the California State Council on Developmental Disabilities, explains why Self-Determination may not be the right fit for every family. She discusses potential challenges, considerations, and alternative options to help you make the best decision for your child's needs.

Why Self-Determination Might Not Be the Right Fit for Every Family?

In this video, Lucia Serio, owner of Bookworm Educational and Psychological Services Incorporated, explains the Discrepancy Model, a commonly used approach for identifying specific learning disabilities. Lucia breaks down what parents and educators need to know about this model, its benefits, and limitations, offering valuable insights into how learning disabilities are identified and addressed.

Understanding the Discrepancy Model for Identifying Learning Disabilities

Christine Tolbert, Self-Determination Program Manager for the California State Council for Developmental Disabilities, shares valuable insights on how to find the right independent facilitators for your child. Learn what qualities to look for and how to choose a facilitator who aligns with your child's needs and goals for a successful support experience.

How to Find the Right Independent Facilitators for Your Child

Christine Tolbert, Self-Determination Program Manager for the California State Council on Developmental Disabilities, explains whether you can change independent facilitators during the year. Discover the steps involved and how to ensure your child receives the best support possible within the Self-Determination Program.


Can You Change Independent Facilitators Anytime During the Year?

The number of goals depends on a child’s needs. You want to have areas of need documented, which would inform the goals.

How many IEP goals should my child have?

If you disagree with a goal, it's a good idea to have an idea of what the goal can be and share that at the IEP meeting.

What if I disagree with the school's IEP goals for my child?

Talk to a few different advocates to see what their experience is and what their qualifications are. Most advocates should be able to help with goal writing.

Can an education advocate help me write IEP goals?

Special Education Services and Individualized Education Programs

Learn about special education services, everything you need to know about IEPs, and how to advocate for the services and supports your child needs.

Education and IEPs

Insurance Options for Parents of Kids with Disabilities

Whether you’re using private insurance or public benefits like Medi-Cal or a combination of the two, get tips on how to fund the supports and services your child needs.

Insurance

What to Do When Your Child Has Received a New Diagnosis

Has your child received a new diagnosis? Are you concerned about a developmental delay? Check out these resources to help you navigate medical services, funding, and more.

New Diagnosis

Public Benefits - Government Programs for Children with Disabilities

Depending on your income, your child’s age and diagnosis, and other factors, there are a variety of government programs available to you.

Public Benefits

Mental Health

Learn how to help your child manage stress, anxiety, and other mental health challenges with these resources from therapists and other experts.

Financially Supporting Your Child With Disabilities into Adulthood

Check out our resources to help plan your child's transition into adulthood and set them up for success.

Future and Financial Planning

Family Life - Advice for Parenting Children with Disabilities

Parenting a child with disabilities comes with unique joys and challenges. Learn how to meet your family's diverse needs and how to talk about disability together.

Family Life

Self-Care for Parents Raising Children With Disabilities

Raising a child with disabilities can place a lot of demands on parents. Check in with your own mental and physical health needs through these resources.

Self-Care for Parents

If you have concerns about your child's development, you may want to pursue a medical diagnosis to open doors for receiving services.

Prepare to visit a developmental pediatrician

Prepare for a new provider visit

Build my child's care team

Prepare for doctor appointment

Obtain a diagnosis

Complete a few simple tasks for your child's IEP, therapies, and insurance, and make the most of your Undivided account.

Find specialized childcare

Create an All About Me page for my child

Be an advocate within the school system

Get organized with your Undivided account

Medi-Cal offers many services to eligible children and families. Learn whether you're helping your child make the most of their benefits.

Optimize Medi-Cal

Find out what to include in your child's IEP in order to get more effective supports for your child in the classroom.

Optimize my child's IEP

Determine eligibility, apply, appeal and optimize California public benefits for your child: Regional Center, IHSS, CCS and Medi-Cal.

Optimize public benefits

Protective supervision is an IHSS service for recipients who require 24/7 supervision to prevent injury to themselves or others. Find out if your child qualifies.

Apply for In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) paramedical services

Become an In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) parent provider

Apply for In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) protective supervision

Determine if my child qualifies for protective supervision

Regional Center

Regional Center Early Intervention (Ages 0–3)

Self-Determination Program

Medi-Cal

IHSS: In-Home Supportive Services

Other Public Funding Sources

IEP: Individualized Education Program

IEP Meeting Preparation

Preschool IEP

IEP Assessments

Strength-Based IEP Goals

Educational Accommodations, Modifications, and Curriculum

Educational Transitions

Learning At Home

Educational Placement

Educational Inclusion

Parenting

Camps and Travel

Supporting Therapies and Education at Home

Disability Culture and Advocacy

Private Insurance

Public Insurance Programs

Mental Health In Children with Disabilities

Therapies

Education-Based Therapies

Behavioral Intervention Therapies

Funding Sources For Therapies

AAC: Augmentative and Alternative Communication

Therapy at Home

504 Educational Plans

Medical

Therapies (Ages 0-3)

IEP-Related Services

After the IEP

How does private insurance work with public benefits like Medi-Cal, Regional Center, and California Children’s Services? Learn how to use all of the resources your child is eligible for.

Troubleshooting Common Issues with Public and Private Health Plans

Planning for their transition to adulthood is a vital piece to laying out what comes next. Learn about high school IEPs, ITPs, diplomas, the Department of Rehabilitation, and more.

12 Frequently Asked Questions about High School IEPs and the Transition to Adulthood

When you check in with your IEP team at the start of the year, some common concerns may come up. Get tips from Undivided's education advocate for resolving IEP issues.

Troubleshoot These 9 Common IEP Concerns

Hear tips on maximizing private insurance and Medi-Cal to cover your child’s needs while saving money on out-of-pocket costs. 


Undivided Conversations: How Public and Private Health Plans Work Together

Learn about Individualized Transition Plans, Regional Center & the Department of Rehabilitation, college pathways, and more when your teen is in high school.

High School IEPs and the Transition to Adulthood with Education Advocate Lisa Carey

Join Dr. Stephen Kanne as he explores the disparities in obtaining an autism diagnosis for women and people of color. He sheds light on the unique challenges these groups face in the diagnostic process and discusses the importance of addressing these inequities.

Disparities in Autism Diagnosis Among Women and People of Color

Here is a comprehensive look at 2024's new legislation, including who sponsored the bills, so you can explore the changes and discover how they’ll shape support, services, and rights for Californians with developmental disabilities.


New California Legislation Impacting Families of Kids with Disabilities

Many parents feel frustrated or discouraged by IEP assessments. There’s a different approach called "dynamic assessment," which is a strength- and process-based, interactive assessment method which focuses more on how children learn over time, and their potential to learn.

What are Dynamic Assessments for IEPs?

When a child is struggling with school refusal, parents often wish they could connect with other parents going through the same thing. School refusal is complex, and there’s no one-size-fits-all solution.  Here are some do’s and don'ts.