Don't IEP Alone.

You can be right. You can even prove you’re right. That doesn’t mean you’ll get what your child needs. Read instead of listen: Why “Gotcha” Doesn’t Win IEP Meetings. related content: Is My Child Receiving FAPE? What It Actually Looks Like in Real Life. Take the online special education advocacy training (what DOES win IEP meetings!) Don't IEP Alone with Lisa Lightner, Special Education Advocate Th...

If you have limited time and just want to know what to focus on quickly, which section of the IEP is the  most important? Support the show Other ways I can help you with IEPs: 📚 Order my book

In this episode of Don't IEP Alone, Lisa Lightner shares why February can be a stressful month for IEP parents, what causes the annual "February freakout," and proactive steps you can take now to better advocate for your child. Get essential advice on IEP renewals, kindergarten and transition webinars, progress monitoring, and how to avoid last-minute panic as spring approaches. All...

In this special episode of "Don't IEP Alone," Lisa Lightner shares her personal journey of setting boundaries with family amid political and social divides, especially as a special needs parent and advocate. She discusses the grief of lost relationships, the importance of protecting your energy, and how the disability community can find support and understanding—even when it means c...

In this episode of Don't IEP Alone, host Lisa Lightner shares actionable tips for parents on IEP data collection after the holiday break. Learn how to track skills at home, compare school reports, and use documentation to advocate for your child’s needs. Plus, discover new IEP toolkits and resources to start your year empowered! 🔴 Is Your Child's IEP Working?: 👉 https://dontiepalone.co...

🧑🏼‍🤝‍🧑🏼 Every question is answered by an advocate--Join A Community of Parents and Advocates who "get it": https://village.adayinourshoes.com   🔴 IEP Transition Workshop Series:   adayinourshoes.com/iep-transition-workshops/   🚀 Sign Up for Special Education Advocacy Training: 👉    dontiepalone.com/online-special-education-...   ⚠️More on IEP Transition Planning:   adayinourshoes...

 No, the School Isn’t Going to Offer Training (Unless You Demand It)  🔴 Is Your Child's IEP Working?: 👉 https://dontiepalone.com/iep-progress/ 🚀 Sign Up for Special Education Advocacy Training: 👉   https://dontiepalone.com/online-special-education-advocacy-training/ ⚠️More on IEP Progress Monitoring: https://adayinourshoes.com/how-to-monitor-iep-progress-for-parents/ 🎯 Free IEP Goal Trac...

How to Prepare for an IEP Manifestation Determination Hearing at School . 🔴 Is Your Child's IEP Working?: 👉 https://dontiepalone.com/iep-progress/ 🚀 Sign Up for Special Education Advocacy Training: 👉   https://dontiepalone.com/online-special-education-advocacy-training/ ⚠️More on FAPE: https://adayinourshoes.com/fape/ 🎯 Free IEP Binder for Parents: https://adayinourshoes.com/free-iep-bin...

Times are different, and challenging. Here's what I'm doing a little bit differently. 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 "Don't IEP Alone," the podcast that provides support and guidance for parents navigating the world of Individualized Education Programs.  In today's episode, we'll be sharing 12 valuable tips for special education parent-teacher conferences during IEP season. Whether you're a seasoned veteran or new to this journey, these insights will help you approach the...

When one door closes, another opens. 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

Executive functioning-- always a popular topic. 🔴 Is Your Child's IEP Working?: 👉 https://dontiepalone.com/iep-progress/ 🚀 Sign Up for Special Education Advocacy Training: 👉   https://dontiepalone.com/online-special-education-advocacy-training/ ⚠️More on FAPE: https://adayinourshoes.com/fape/ 🎯 Free IEP Binder for Parents: https://adayinourshoes.com/free-iep-binder/ https://Facebook.com/...

Mentioned in Episode: OSERS Has Been Dismantled: What This Means for Disabled Adults and Their Families. OSEP Is Gone: What It Means for Your Child’s IEP and What Parents Must Do Now. 🔴 Is Your Child's IEP Working?: 👉 https://dontiepalone.com/iep-progress/ 🚀 Sign Up for Special Education Advocacy Training: 👉   https://dontiepalone.com/online-special-education-advocacy-training/ ⚠️More on...

Going off topic for a moment... but trust matters! 🔴 Is Your Child's IEP Working?: 👉 https://dontiepalone.com/iep-progress/ 🚀 Sign Up for Special Education Advocacy Training: 👉   https://dontiepalone.com/online-special-education-advocacy-training/ ⚠️More on FAPE: https://adayinourshoes.com/fape/ 🎯 Free IEP Binder for Parents: https://adayinourshoes.com/free-iep-binder/ https://Facebook.c...

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...