The Whole Child Advocate

Holiday events often bring excitement — but they can also bring anxiety, especially for children who thrive on structure and predictability. In this week’s episode of The Whole Child Advocate , Dominique McLellan, BCASE , explains how social stories can help children manage stress, understand expectations, and feel confident during seasonal changes. You’ll learn: What social stories are and where...

The holiday season is magical — but for many children with sensory sensitivities, autism, or ADHD, it can also be overwhelming. In this week’s episode of The Whole Child Advocate , Dominique McLellan, BCASE , shares practical strategies to help families create joyful, predictable, and sensory-friendly celebrations all season long. You’ll learn: Common holiday sensory triggers (lights, noise, crowd...

A Parent Vision Statement is one of the most powerful tools you can bring to an IEP or 504 meeting — yet most parents have never been taught how to write one. In this week’s episode of The Whole Child Advocate , Dominique McLellan, BCASE , explains what a Parent Vision Statement is, why it matters, and how it can transform the way your child’s school team understands their needs, strengths, and lo...

In honor of World Children’s Day (November 20) , The Whole Child Advocate celebrates every learner’s uniqueness and reminds us why inclusion matters all year long. Join Dominique McLellan, BCASE , as she reflects on what “all children” truly means — valuing neurodiversity, culture, and individuality — and shares simple ways parents and educators can help children feel seen, supported, and celebrat...

This week on The Whole Child Advocate , Dominique McLellan, BCASE, honors veterans and shines a spotlight on the families who serve beside them. As a military parent and special education advocate, Dominique shares practical insights on the unique challenges military-connected families face — from transferring IEPs and 504 Plans during relocations to navigating differences in state policies and en...

This November, let’s pause to celebrate progress — not perfection. In this week’s episode of The Whole Child Advocate , Dominique McLellan, BCASE, explores how gratitude can become one of a parent’s most powerful advocacy tools. Learn how practicing gratitude helps reduce stress, foster collaboration, and highlight what’s working in your child’s IEP or 504 journey. Dominique shares practical ideas...

How can you tell if your child’s IEP or 504 Plan isn’t being followed — or simply isn’t working anymore? In this week’s episode of The Whole Child Advocate, Dominique McLellan, BCASE, helps parents identify common warning signs and know when it’s time to speak up. Learn how to spot key red flags — from missing accommodations and vague progress reports to emotional or academic regression — and unde...

IEP? 504? If those letters make your head spin, you’re not alone. In this episode of The Whole Child Advocate, Dominique McLellan, BCASE, breaks down the real-world difference between 504 Plans and IEPs—and why that distinction matters for every student receiving support in Texas schools. Dominique explains the laws behind each plan—Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Individuals with Di...

Confidence is one of the most powerful tools a child can carry into the classroom—especially for students with learning differences, behavioral challenges, or special-education supports. In this week’s episode, Dominique McLellan, BCASE, shares practical ways parents and educators can help children feel capable, valued, and ready to learn. You’ll hear the story of a student who rediscovered his vo...

In this very first episode, host Dominique McLellan, BCASE , shares the story behind The Whole Child Advocate and the heart that drives her mission to support families and educators navigating special education. Before becoming a Board-Certified Advocate, Dominique was a special education teacher who often saw parents sitting in ARD meetings overwhelmed by unfamiliar language and complex decisions...