Don't IEP Alone.

In this episode of "Don't IEP Alone," Lisa Lightner addresses the challenges of navigating behavior issues and suspensions in the school setting, particularly as the end of the school year approaches. She highlights the need to address the core issues behind a child's behavior and emphasizes the importance of engaging the child in finding solutions.  Lisa acknowledges the compl...

In this episode of Don't IEP Alone, Lisa Lightner dives into the complex and often misunderstood topic of behavior in the school setting. She discusses the evolution of functional behavior assessments and behavior improvement plans over the years, shedding light on the flaws and misconceptions surrounding these processes.  Lisa shares real-life examples of children struggling with behaviors i...

Welcome to "Don't IEP Alone," the podcast that provides support and guidance for parents navigating the world of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and special education. In today's episode titled, we dive into the essential concept of Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) and its significance in the IEP process. Host Lisa Lightner, a seasoned advocate and parent,...

Welcome to "Don't IEP Alone," the podcast that provides empowering and informative content for parents navigating the complex world of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).  In this episode, Lisa dives into the fundamental question, "What is an IEP?" Expert advocate Lisa breaks down the intricacies of IEPs, shedding light on their significance, the legal framework, and...

Read it instead: Can Students be Excluded from Field Trips for Behavior ? Sale I mention in episode: https://adayinourshoes.org/dont-iep-alone-academy/ Welcome to another episode of "Don't IEP Alone," where we discuss all things related to Individualized Education Plans. Today, our host Lisa Lightner delves into the controversial topic of excluding disabled students from field trips...

In this episode of "Don't IEP Alone," we're diving into the essential topic of organizing your child's Individualized Education Program (IEP) paperwork. Host Lisa Lightner shares her firsthand experience and expertise, having worked on developing her own IEP organizer for over a decade.  From useful tips on creating a thorough IEP planner to the benefits of quarterly updat...

Welcome to "Don't IEP Alone," the podcast that provides support and resources for parents navigating the world of Individualized Education Programs. In today's episode, "The Power of Words: Dyslexia Writing Solutions with Russell Van Brocklen," we delve into the challenges faced by dyslexic students and explore innovative methods for improving their writing skills. Ou...

Welcome to  "Don't IEP Alone." In this episode, we delve into the topic of regression, a concern many parents face when it comes to their child's education. Our expert speakers, Lisa Lightner and Monica McHale from the @Learning Disabilities Association of America, offer valuable insights and practical advice for parents navigating the challenges of regression, especially amids...

Welcome to the "Don't IEP Alone" podcast. In today's episode, we delve into the fascinating and often misunderstood world of ADHD. Our host engages in a dynamic conversation with a renowned pediatric neurologist Dr. Sarah Cheyette, specializing in ADHD, who shares invaluable expertise and practical guidance. From the impact of medication to non-medication strategies, the necess...

Welcome to the "Don't IEP Alone" podcast with Lisa Lightner, where we bring you expert insights and strategies to support your child's educational journey. In today's episode, "The Role of Executive Functioning in Learning Unveiling Strategies with Tera Sumpter, SLP," we delve into the crucial role of executive functioning in learning and unveil practical strateg...

In this episode of Don't IEP Alone, host Lisa Lightner interviews Julie Walters from The Connected Parent. Julie shares her journey as a neurodivergent parent raising two children with IEPs and how her experiences led her to create The Connected Parent, a national online platform that connects families with disability-related services and resources.  Julie offers insight into the challenges o...

In this episode of "Don't IEP Alone," host Lisa Lightner speaks with Rachel Solomon, a young entrepreneur from Massachusetts with cerebral palsy. Rachel shares her inspiring journey of independence and her winning idea for a business called Quick Change. Her idea addresses the challenges of obtaining and maintaining medical equipment, like walkers, through a subscription-based servi...

Welcome back to "Don't IEP Alone," with Lisa Lightner where we provide support and guidance for parents navigating the complex world of Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings and special needs advocacy. In today's episode, we hear from Kelley Coleman, a parent, advocate, and author who shares her personal experiences and expertise in parenting a disabled child.  Kelley...

Welcome back to "Don't IEP Alone," with Lisa Lightner where we provide support and guidance for parents navigating the complex world of Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings and special needs advocacy. In today's episode, we hear from Kelley Coleman, a parent, advocate, and author who shares her personal experiences and expertise in parenting a disabled child.  Kelley...

Welcome back to Don't IEP Alone! In today's episode, we have Maria Slavin, the Founder of In-Sync and Social, LLC, and Exceptional Moms Coaching, with over 20 years of experience in occupational therapy. As a trusted clinical and educational consultant in the Philadelphia area, Maria specializes in social-emotional learning and self-regulation, offering a combined sensory and behavioral...

Welcome back to Don't IEP Alone! In today's episode, we have Maria Slavin, the Founder of In-Sync and Social, LLC, and Exceptional Moms Coaching, with over 20 years of experience in occupational therapy. As a trusted clinical and educational consultant in the Philadelphia area, Maria specializes in social-emotional learning and self-regulation, offering a combined sensory and behavioral...

Welcome to another empowering episode of the "Don't IEP Alone" podcast! I'm your host, Lisa Lightner, and today, I am thrilled to have a special guest, Nicole Santiago, from Family Adventures. Nicole shares her incredible journey, transitioning from a dedicated Spanish teacher to becoming an advocate for children with diverse learning needs, driven by personal experiences with...

Welcome, everyone! I'm Lisa Lightner, and I'm thrilled to bring you another episode of "Don't IEP Alone." Whether you're tuning in on YouTube or on different podcast platforms, or catching up with me on LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Instagram, I'm glad you're here. Don't forget to hit that subscribe button so you never miss an episode. I want to delve into t...

Welcome to "Don't IEP Alone" with your host, Lisa Lightner. If you're navigating the world of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and special education, this podcast is your go-to resource.  In this episode, Lisa delves into the intriguing concept of parents as the IEP police. Drawing from her own experiences as a former special education compliance monitor in Pennsylvania...

Welcome back to another episode of "Don't IEP Alone." I'm your host, Lisa Lightner, a special education advocate based near Philadelphia.  In today's episode, we're diving into the world of social skills, just in time for the upcoming Thanksgiving festivities. As we gear up for the holiday season, it's essential to recognize that our children, especially those wi...

Welcome back to another episode of Don't IEP Alone. I'm Lisa Lightner, your host, and in today's episode, we dive into the important topic "No-Meet Addendum".  In this episode, I encourage parents to consider the no-meet addendum for manageable changes, emphasizing its efficiency and time-saving benefits. I recently used it for a transportation tweak and even when my son w...

Welcome to another episode of Don't IEP Alone podcast! This episode is the Part 2 of "Let's Talk About Behavior".  Children with autism and other learning disabilities often struggle with negative behaviors. These behaviors are often a result of the child's lack of skills or sensory experiences. Behavior plans are often used to address these behaviors. However, behavior pl...

Welcome to another episode of Don't IEP Alone podcast! In this episode, we will talk about BEHAVIOR! Lisa Lightner, host of the Don't IEP Alone Podcast, discusses the flaws and trends she's seeing with problematic FBAs. She argues that anyone can do an FBA, but not everyone has the necessary training to do so effectively. She also points out that FBAs often don't go deep enough...

Welcome to another episode of Don't IEP Alone podcast! In this episode, titled "IEE: Understanding Your Options," we dive into the important topic of Independent Education Evaluations (IEEs).  Relevant Article: https://adayinourshoes.com/iee-independent-education-evaluation/ Host Lisa Leitner opens up about a recent somber experience and reminds us to cherish our loved ones. She the...

Welcome back to another episode of Don't IEP Alone. I'm Lisa Lightner, your host, and in today's episode, we continue our discussion on IEP evaluations.  Relevant Links: https://adayinourshoes.com/iep-re-evaluations-what-parents-need-to-know-timelines/ https://adayinourshoes.com/iep-evaluations-iee-timeline/ This is part three of the series, where we dive into the quiet waiting peri...