A Special Education Teacher, Administrator and Lawyer walk into a bar....all you ever wanted to know about special education

Here's another movie review! Listen in as Robin, Angela  and Abby discuss "I Didn't See You There" a new film by Reid Davenport. It is streaming for free now on PBS as part of the POV (Point of View) series.  To save you time, here's a link:  POV- I Didn't See You There In follow up to the discussion here are some articles, reviews by other "real" film criti...

Listen in as Robin, Angela and Abby dissect and disagree (barely) with a  recent court case regarding when school district staff "should" tell parents about a student's disclosure regarding gender transition. Reading materials (including the article Angela hates) on the topic we found helpful can be found HERE. Legal case document s from recent lawsuit in MA. Thanks for listening an...

Robin and Abby speak with Kristin Pas, from Behavior IS Communication podcast S: 2 E: 2, who has a new job as an administrator. Her favorite professional book: How to Set Up A Classroom For Autism S.B. Linton Please tell us how you found us by completing this survey Email us at ASTALPodcast@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram @astalpodcast

This article was all a buzz this December and was sent to us by parents, staff and friends. Listen to Abby, Angela and Robin as they discuss what how to handle a situation when a respected treatment doesn't yield the expected results.  *The Mismeasure of Misha- Boston Globe* Please tell us how you found us by completing this survey Email us at ASTALPodcast@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram @as...

Check out our interview with Greg Austin, founder of Inclusive Fitness a gym that aims to create healthy lifestyles for neurodiverse people, their families, and communities.  Find out more about: Inclusive Fitness A. J. Paron-Wildes Interior Design for Autism from Childhood to Adolescence Doug Flutie Foundation Please tell us how you found us by completing this survey Email us at ASTALPodcast@gmai...

Sorry folks! The stars did not align for us to record this week. We gave it several tries and life/work just got in the way.  Please go back and revisit a previously recorded episode that you haven't listened to yet or in this recording I list the top 5 downloaded episodes.  Tune in next week for a super cool interview!  Please tell us how you found us by completing this survey Email us at AS...

We have some new listeners and it's been a while since we've introduced ourselves to the group! Please tell us how you found us by completing this survey Email us at ASTALPodcast@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram @astalpodcast

Join Robin, Abby and Angela as they interview Mike Thurm, as he speaks about his sister Jenny and how she shaped his personal and professional life as a special education administrator.  Learn more about the BC Campus school here Please tell us how you found us by completing this survey Email us at ASTALPodcast@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram @astalpodcast

Are there certain words that get under your skin?? Robin, Angela and Abby talk about some of their least favorite education buzzwords. Also- please follow us on Instagram!! @ASTALPodcast Abby's SAT word during this episode: zeitgeist Please tell us how you found us by completing this survey Email us at ASTALPodcast@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram @astalpodcast

Listen while Abby and Robin talk about ableism in the autism community and specifically how labels shape our intervention models. Our conversation centers around   this article which was sent to us by a listener (thank you!).   If you have topics or articles that you'd like us to talk about, please send them to: astalpodcast@gmail.com Please tell us how you found us by completing this survey...

Join Robin, Abby and Angela as they share tips for productive IEP meetings.  Please tell us how you found us by completing this survey Email us at ASTALPodcast@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram @astalpodcast

How many of us consider the special factors when developing an IEP? During this episode Robin, Angela and Abby breakdown the 6 (in Mass. more) special factors that IEP teams must consider. The regulations are here: https://sites.ed.gov/idea/regs/b/d/300.324/a (specifically 300.324 (a)(2)(i)-(v) Read the position paper regarding the LRE (least restrictive environment) for deaf and heard of hearing...

Join Robin, Abby and Angela as they share tips for successful school based meetings. We used this article as a based for the discussion.  Please tell us how you found us by completing this survey Email us at ASTALPodcast@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram @astalpodcast

Robin, Abby and Angela speak with Julie Kenerson, a mom (and teacher!) who is on a mission to make playgrounds more accessible. Read about her here Follow her on Instagram: @letsgo_playground Read about the ADA requirements for Playgrounds here Please tell us how you found us by completing this survey Email us at ASTALPodcast@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram @astalpodcast

Robin and Angela share some tips to help you prepare for SY 22-23.  Everyone have a great FDOC/S :) Please tell us how you found us by completing this survey Email us at ASTALPodcast@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram @astalpodcast

We're back! Join Abby, Robin and Angela as they discuss the teacher shortage and its impact on students. August 4th Washington Post article about National teacher shortage Do you think a 4 day work week is the solution?? What's happening in the Boston Public Schools ? Can you imagine needing to hire over 1000 positions? Disclaimer- we recorded a few back-up episodes over the summer. We&a...

Thank for you listening to Season 2.!  This school year has been a challenge in so many ways but doing the podcast and hearing from people all around the country has been a bright spot. We wish everyone a restful and refreshing summer and welcome ideas for topics for Season Three in September! Here are links to topics discussed during this episode. Watch the My Disability Roadmap short film here O...

Please go back in the archives and listen to an episode you may have missed from season 1 or season 2.  We'll be back next week for the final episode of season 2. Please tell us how you found us by completing this survey Email us at ASTALPodcast@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram @astalpodcast

Listen in on the debate about grade retention. Angela, Robin and Abby discuss the documented pros and cons and  debate the trends and impact post COVID. Grade Retention Post COVID 19: Evidence Based Guidance , UCONN School of Education, October 2021 Alternatives to Grade Retention by Linda Darling Hammond for the School Superintendent's Association History of the Debate  and Research (this is...

Listen in as Robin, Angela and Abby respond to collected questions from listeners.   Topics include the always scintillating details of school discipline, the ins and outs of a parent's right to choose to medicate or not medicate their child and a super timely topic - all things extended school year. If you are interested in the Extended School Year guidance document referenced in the episode...

Have you ever considered becoming a special education administrator?  It isn't as wild an idea as you might think!  Join Robin and Abby as they share their journey on the path to educational leadership. Pros/Cons and lots of food for thought! Sample Student Services Department Head Rubric Sample Student Services Director Rubric Please tell us how you found us by completing this survey Email u...

The film CODA has won multiple awards this year including Best Film and Best Supporting Actor . We watched the film and had lots of thoughts about the representation of people with disabilities in film.  There are a variety of opinions and reactions to the film from people with and without disabilities. Check out the film on Apple TV, take a listen to our convo (Spoiler Alert) and send us your rea...

The IEP  cover letter (N1) is a wonderful opportunity for the District to communicate to Parents in plain language what the IEP the parent is receiving says, doesn't say and what the next steps are. Writing a good N1 letter is a skill every special ed teacher and administrator should have. Learning how to read an N1 is a great skill for parents.  Listen in for some tips and advice no matter w...

The Pandemic was tough for us all. But it was really tough for first year high school principal Amy Davenport. Give a listen to how she thinks about the role, being the working parent of three (!) young children and building a high school that meets the needs of a super wide variety of students. Spoiler alert:  She did GREAT! Please tell us how you found us by completing this survey Email us at AS...

Hello Everyone! Just a quick pod this week to mark the One Year Anniversary of the Pod.  Thank you for listening in - we are always thinking about new ideas and topics so send along your input and ideas to: astalpodcast@gmail.com ALSO - we are preparing a MAIL BAG episode - so it is your chance to send in questions/items of interest/suggestions and observations! We can't wait to hear what you...