Don't IEP Alone.

Mentioned in Episode: What is Explicit Instruction ? What is Specially Designed Instruction in Special Education ? 50 Practical Instructional Strategies for Specially Designed Instruction in IEP s (examples) Special Education Advocacy Training Don't IEP Alone with Lisa Lightner, Special Education Advocate Thank you for listening to this episode of Don't IEP Alone. See you next time! Support the sh...

Welcome back to "Don't IEP Alone" with Lisa Lightner! In this candid episode, Lisa gets real about the behind-the-scenes struggles of podcasting, from wrestling with ADHD and perfectionism, to navigating technical hiccups and the pressure of social media.  She shares her recent attempts to revamp the show, including her "5 Minutes to FAPE" experiment (and why it ended up i...

If your Present Levels are wrong, everything else in the IEP will fall like dominoes. Article mentioned in video: https://adayinourshoes.com/present-levels-iep/ IEP Toolkit for Parents: https://dontiepalone.com/my-parent-iep-toolkit/ Don't IEP Alone with Lisa Lightner, Special Education Advocate Thank you for listening to this episode of Don't IEP Alone. See you next time! Support the show Other w...

The Secret Suspension Problem: a MUST WATCH if the school is constantly calling you to come get your kid at school. Resources mentioned in video:  Behavior Info for Families: https://adayinourshoes.com/tag/behavior/ Behavior mini course: https://www.dontiepalone.academy/courses/all-things-behavior-and-your-iep/preview Don't IEP Alone with Lisa Lightner, Special Education Advocate Thank you for lis...

IDEA is surprisingly non-specific about a lot of special education. Here's how to advocate when you're pretty sure you've been told something incorrect....but struggle to find proof.  Get your free FAPE guide here: https://birdsend.page/forms/1628/IrX2XebqwQ Don't IEP Alone with Lisa Lightner, Special Education Advocate Thank you for listening to this episode of Don't IEP Alone. See...

I'm getting a facelift!  Ha, no, not me. The podcast. Details in this episode. Don't IEP Alone with Lisa Lightner, Special Education Advocate Thank you for listening to this episode of Don't IEP Alone. See you next time! Support the show Other ways I can help you with IEPs: 📚 Order my book

Parents, get your free IEP binder: https://adayinourshoes.com/free-iep-binder/ Get your free IEP goal tracker: https://adayinourshoes.com/iep-goal-tracker/ Welcome back to Don't IEP Alone with your host, Lisa Lightner. In this episode, Lisa dives into the rapidly changing landscape of special education and the overwhelming wave of recent changes in the Department of Education. She unpacks the...

Parents, get your free IEP binder: https://adayinourshoes.com/free-iep-binder/ Get your free IEP goal tracker: https://adayinourshoes.com/iep-goal-tracker/ Welcome back to Don't IEP Alone with Lisa Lightner! In today's episode, Lisa tackles one of the most common questions she gets from parents: "What can I ask for on my IEP?" Drawing from over 15 years of advocacy experience,...

Lisa Lightner is a dedicated advocate for parents navigating the IEP process. With her trusty mini desk fan by her side—an essential comfort for women of a certain age—Lisa brings warmth, humor, and understanding to her work.  Through her podcast and social media reels, stories, and videos, she shares practical advice and encouragement for families working through IEP meetings and advocacy efforts...

Welcome back to the Don't IEP Alone podcast with Lisa Lightner! In today’s episode, Lisa dives into the importance of contacting your representatives—even if you sometimes feel like your voice won’t make a difference. Drawing from her own advocacy experiences and conversations with legislators, Lisa explains why it’s crucial for constituents to reach out, share their stories, and hold elected...

Welcome back to Don't IEP Alone ! In this episode, host Lisa Lightner shares a heartfelt update from the thick of summer, reminding parents to communicate their children's special health needs—like temperature regulation—to their IEP teams. Lisa dives into some unique Pennsylvania special education history, spotlighting the origins of IEPs and the creation of "intermediate units&quo...

The school has asked for access to your child's medical records. Now what? Do I have to share my child’s medical records with the IEP team? Support the show Other ways I can help you with IEPs: 📚 Order my book

Don't IEP Alone with Lisa Lightner, Special Education Advocate Thank you for listening to this episode of Don't IEP Alone. See you next time! Support the show Other ways I can help you with IEPs: 📚 Order my book

And hey, my book is on sale today at Barnes & Noble ! Don't IEP Alone with Lisa Lightner, Special Education Advocate Thank you for listening to this episode of Don't IEP Alone. See you next time! Support the show Other ways I can help you with IEPs: 📚 Order my book

What parents need to know about IEEs-Independent Education Evaluations. When and how to ask for one, what criteria to use to ask for one and what to do once you've received an IEE report. Support the show Other ways I can help you with IEPs: 📚 Order my book

Hiring an IEP advocate or Special Education Advocate is a tough decision. Here are some things to consider before you take the plunge. Support the show Other ways I can help you with IEPs: 📚 Order my book

Students with IEPs can continue in public schools until ages 19 or even 25. But should they? And who decides? Support the show Other ways I can help you with IEPs: 📚 Order my book

A bill just passed in the House that could mean big cuts to Medicaid —even though the word Medicaid isn’t in it. Sound sneaky? That’s because it is. In this episode, I’m breaking down: ✅ What this bill actually does ✅ The myths about Medicaid fraud that keep getting repeated (and why they’re bogus) ✅ Why we must take action—today, not tomorrow ✅ How to call, email, and visit your senator to ma...

Don't IEP Alone with Lisa Lightner, Special Education Advocate Thank you for listening to this episode of Don't IEP Alone. See you next time! Support the show Other ways I can help you with IEPs: 📚 Order my book

From Entitlement to Eligibility : The Wake-Up Call Special Needs Parents Usually Aren't Expecting. It's important for parents, especially if your child has a lot of needs, that you understand this concept as you move to adult services. Don't IEP Alone with Lisa Lightner, Special Education Advocate Thank you for listening to this episode of Don't IEP Alone. See you next time! Support the...

Don't IEP Alone with Lisa Lightner, Special Education Advocate Thank you for listening to this episode of Don't IEP Alone. See you next time! Support the show Other ways I can help you with IEPs: 📚 Order my book

Did you know that 1/3 of all kids with autism develop seizures? I've got a lot of mom guilt and "shoulda, coulda, woulda" surrounding my son's seizure condition. Here's what to look for and where to get more information. What you need to know if your child is at risk for developing seizures. Read the blog post: 6 Things I wish I'd been told about my son's seizure...

The budget to cut Medicaid was discussed last night at 1 am. Details, thoughts, and action items.  Don't IEP Alone with Lisa Lightner, Special Education Advocate Thank you for listening to this episode of Don't IEP Alone. See you next time! Support the show Other ways I can help you with IEPs: 📚 Order my book

Welcome to another episode of Don't IEP Alone with your host, Lisa Lightner. In today’s deeply personal and thought-provoking episode, Lisa reflects on a recent visit to Atlantic City and uses her experience walking its streets as a lens to examine larger issues surrounding disability, mental health, addiction, and the consequences of societal neglect. Drawing from her years of advocacy and f...

Get the book: https://adayinourshoes.com/book/ Welcome back to Don't IEP Alone with Lisa Lightner! As we approach the end of the school year, Lisa dives into the home stretch with timely advice for families navigating IEPs, particularly around Extended School Year (ESY) services. In this candid and heartfelt episode, Lisa shares her personal experiences as a special needs parent, reflecting o...