Empowered 2 Advocate

If your child has a disability, they very likely have a team of specialists that they work with - inside and outside of school. And like we've discussed on other episodes of the Empowered 2 Advocate Podcast, this can feel very overwhelming. Trying to know and remember who does what can feel like a full time job sometimes! In this episode, Michelle and Dana Marie have the pleasure to chat with...

Summer time can be challenging enough to find fun activities for the whole family; but when a family member has a physical, emotional, sensory, or cognitive disability, a whole other layer of planning comes into play to ensure a fun and safe day for all! In this episode of the Empowered 2 Advocate podcast, Michelle and Dana Marie chat about 5 of their favorite summer activities (and resources!) in...

While an IEP is reviewed annually to update progress and services and goals, caregivers have the right to request a team meeting anytime in between these annual reviews. In this episode of the Empowered 2 Advocate Podcast, Michelle discusses 6 reasons that caregivers should request a reconvene of the IEP team, how she recommends caregivers should request, when to request and important timelines ar...

In this episode, Dana Marie gives an overview of the service providers you may see on your child's IEP and at their IEP meeting. She covers: understanding the role of the SLP, AAC specialist, AT specialist, BCBA, RBT, OT, PT, ETL and School Psychologist. unpacking the acronym for each service provider. the difference between the school team members who work directly with your child and those w...

It's the end of the school year and everything feels like it's moving in a million different directions with a sense of urgency that can feel overwhelming and chaotic. Our number one piece of advice is to take a deep breath and remember that most things that are feeling urgent now, CAN be addressed in the fall when everyone is feeling refreshed and renewed, including you. So what can you d...

When a team writes an IEP, it's important that all the pieces are in alignment and are working together to support the student in accessing their grade level content. There ARE numerous parts to an IEP and it can be overwhelming to understanding how we get from point A to point B and how all the pieces line up! In fact, many teams actually work backwards, starting at placement when placement s...

If you've been to an IEP meeting for your child, you should be asked about your concerns or, for you parent concern statement. The parent concern statement is one of the most important parts of the IEP; and a pace for caregivers to express what they are concerned about when it comes to their child's progress in school. In this episode, Dana Marie and Michelle share with you their top tips...

In this episode Dana Marie and Michelle chat with Melissa Derr, Assistive Technology Specialist. Melissa works in Early Intervention at Easter Seals in Pennsylvania and has experience assessing and implementing assistive technology plans for children of all ages. In this episode Melissa helps us dive into many important questions like: What is Assistive Technology? What is the role of an Assistive...

In this episode Dana Marie and Michelle chat with James Norris, founder of Handi Capable Fitness a 501 ( c )(3) nonprofit dedicated to helping people get out, be active, and be proud of the life they live. James is also the author of Feeling Left Out , the first in a series of four children's books that highlight how children deal with the challenges of growing up. When James' left his bro...

In our first ever guest episode, Michelle and Dana Marie chat with Karyn Roy, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst at a K-8 school who supports students with a variety of disabilities in both the inclusion and the substantially separate setting. In this episode we discuss: What is a BCBA? How do BCBAs help students in schools access their education? When might a BCBA be a part of a student's IEP...

Five Things You Need to Know About the MCAS. In this episode we talk about 1. The MCAS as a graduation requirement. 2. The MCAS Decision Making Tool and annual review.  3. The Alternate Assessment. 4. Why your child's disability category and classroom do not determine how they participate. 4. And some considerations for accommodations on the assessment. Want more information? Decision Making...

In this episode we dive into the topic of Least Restrictive Environment.  We discuss: what it is in the simplest terms how it is protected by IDEA the continuum of settings and placements in Special Education how students can be supported in an inclusion setting the benefits of including students with disabilities what to look for when questioning whether your child is in the appropriate plac...

In this episode, hear how Empowered 2 Advocate might be able to support you.  We discuss: 1. how educators can benefit from our support. 2. why an observation of your child in their school setting may be helpful for you. 3. how E2A can review documents and help make sense of them for you. 4. how E2A can help you write and review communication to and from the school. 5. and more! Want to learn...

In this episode, Dana Marie and Michelle re-introduce themselves and talk about where they came from and what inspired them to start Empowered 2 Advocate! Hear from Dana Marie and Michelle as they talk about their backgrounds in special education, what they are passionate about, and how Empowered 2 Advocate came to be.  Want to learn more about them and Empowered 2 Advocate? Head to our websi...

Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) there are procedural safeguards and due process laws and protocols to ensure students with disabilities are given access to their Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). Part of these laws are timelines that must be adhered to by public school systems in the United States.  While each state has their own guidelines, they must...

You have concerns about your child's progress in school.  You request an evaluation.  At the meeting, the school district determines your child is not eligible for an IEP (special education).  What are the next steps after the meeting that you as a parent can follow to ensure your child is receiving what they require to access their education? In this episode, we discuss (from a len...

This episode is all about getting organized! Be sure to head to www.empowered2advocate.com to download your FREE binder organization system! CLICK HERE Being prepared for you child's meeting supports you with being better able to fully participate in your child's IEP meeting and understand the why's of recommendations service providers are making.  But in the ocean of paperwork that you recei...

December break and end of the school year are 2 big times for caregivers and parents to be wondering, "what are great gift ideas for my child's teachers and therapists that they will actually love and use to say thank you!" In this special episode of the Empowered 2 Advocate Podcast, Dana marie and Michelle share some of their favorite and most memorable gifts they have received over the years as...

In part 5 of this 5 part series on student voice and including students in their IEP process, we discuss how to support students of all ages (3-22) with unique communication, emotional, and behavioral needs. In this episode we: • Discuss strategies for gathering information about students' interests, accomplishments and strengths in various ways when a student utilizes a communication tool such as...

In part 4 of this 5 part series on student voice and including students in their IEP process, we dig into the preschool and elementary school years (3-10 year olds). In this episode we: Discuss strategies for gathering information about students' interests, accomplishments and strengths Suggestions educators and caregivers for bringing the child's voice to the meeting even if they will not be at t...

In part 3 of this 5 part series on student voice and including students in their IEP process we dig into the middle school years, grades 5-8, ages 10-13ish.  In this episode we discuss: How to have conversations with your child / students about their disabilities and disabilities and learning differences in general How to discuss with them what their IEP is, why they have it and getting their...

In this second part of our 5 part series about the power of student voice in the IEP process Dana Marie and Michelle focus on students aged 14-22.  While teams are legally obligated to include students in their meetings and IEP process, specifically their vision and Transition Planning Form, at age 14, and having legal signing rights at age 18, there are so many other reasons that this inclus...

In this 5 part series, Michelle and Dana Marie dig into the power of student voice in their IEP and education in general.  In this episode we discuss what is student voice, why we care and give an overview of what we will discuss in the upcoming 4 episodes! Be sure to subscribe / follow us wherever you are listening and if you find this helpful, please share with friends, family members, fell...

This podcast episode is based on a live webinar we hosted on 11/8/2022!  There was such great information in this webinar, we wanted to share with all of you!  Check it out and be sure to subscribe / follow the podcast on your favorite platform (apple, Spotify, google) so you never miss an episode!  We release episodes every Friday and would love to hear form you about what would be...

Welcome to Empowered 2 Advocate! We're Michelle and Dana Marie and our mission is that when caregivers and parents work with Empowered 2 Advocate you will feel confident that you have the support, information, resources and expertise to be your child’s biggest advocate. Our goal is to make sure you get there.   In this weekly podcast, released every Friday, you can expect quick and timely tip...