Special Education and Advocacy Plus

Hey, fabulous listeners! You might've done a double-take, thinking, "Wait, that's not Ashley's voice!" and you'd be right! I'm Rachel Starr, the Creative Director at ABCo and the mastermind behind today's plot twist! 😜 For 149 episodes, Ashley's been our captain, steering this ship with her wisdom, guiding us on this awesome mission to jazz up the world of special education and advocacy. But toda...

In this episode, we explore the core principles of inclusive education. In the context of education, inclusion refers to the practice of providing equal access to quality education within a general education setting for all students, regardless of their abilities, backgrounds, or differences. We delve into the belief that every student has the right to learn, participate, and thrive alongside thei...

Welcome to the world of Cs at abC! Clever, isn't it? 🧩 In today's podcast episode, we're honing in on two of my favourite C words - Communication and Community. We'll be exploring how you can stay connected with your school community during the summer and the benefits of doing so! ☀️🏫 And for those for whom the school community isn't a viable option, we've got you covered too! We'll delve into w...

It's a birthday week around here… And in less than a week, our Jackman will be a TEENAGER!  This is equally terrifying and exciting!  In today’s episode, I’ll share some reflections on Jack’s pre-teen years, some lessons I’ve learned, and some things to celebrate!  Thanks for letting me share so much about our educational journey and my most amazing kid with you!  Transcript: h...

I learn something from Jack Barlow almost every day of my life. The simple wisdom that he emulates is such a blessing to our family and community. In today’s episode, I will share with you. One lesson I have learned from Jack that is so effective and advocacy. Coming to you live from my living room this is an episode. You will not want to miss! Learn a little more about the Jackman and a little mo...

No, no, no!  Goodness, do we ever get tired of our children saying, “No!”  I thought it was bad with toddlers… now I have (almost) two teen-agers, and I’d love to hear “Yes” just once a week!!!!  It's hard to be on the other end of “no,” isn’t it? In today’s quick episode, we’re talking about the power of saying “yes,” both on the giving and receiving ends.  I’ll walk you throu...

Need more time in your week? Tired of running kids to activities and therapies? Wanna just enjoy your neighborhood pool or sit by a ball field? Want new, meaningful, insanely beneficial ways to connect with your child? Imagine the surprise of Michelle Breitenbach when she hesitantly agreed to tutor all of her students on-line and subsequently got the above results! Imagine Michelle’s surprise when...

You’ve heard about - and maybe even asked for - a multi-sensory, evidence-based reading program, but what does that really mean?  In this webinar we’ll talk about how a multi-sensory approach looks in practice and why it works.  We’ll even explore a few common curricula and try to differentiate between them!  

Last week we scratched the surface on the Science of Reading. Last week I also dropped all the balls, and I had to cancel a free webinar on the Science of Reading. So, this week’s podcast is basically a deeper dive into SOR – and it’s exactly what I would present at the webinar. We’re killing two birds with the SOR--- a podcast and a webinar in one!

Science is a systematic and logical approach to discovering how the natural world works.  So, the Science of Reading is the result of a systematic and logical approach to how we learn to READ!  Wanna know more?  Join me in today’s webinar where we discuss the Science of Reading.  We’ll talk about what this research shows, and we’ll break it down so you can choose and advocate f...

Today we welcome Michelle Morgan, SLP and dyslexia guru, to the podcast! Michelle is walking us through a hand-writing program she designed, giving us lots of tips and information on how hand-writing supports the process of learning to read. Michelle was our guest in Season2, Episode 77 and you all loved it! I can’t wait for you to listen to this episode! Transcript: https://share.descript.com/vie...

Today we welcome Rosemarie Griffin of ABA Speech, and we talk about a super hot topic: how – and why- we can incorporate neurodiversity affirming practices into our therapy, tutoring, and even play sessions with children.  We’re talking about how to incorporate sensory strategies, behavior supports, and other practices that affirm a child’s profile, establish a relationship, and help to regul...

I know from my time on non-profit boards that Potty Training is always a popular topic amongst parents.  That’s why I couldn’t believe that it had taken me this long to invite Molly Johnson from @theautismconsultant onto the pod!  Molly is a special educator with a Masters in Special Education and Administration, who started a consulting  business while still teaching.  She now...

Of all the educators on IG that I follow, I think I’m the biggest fangirl of Hanna at My Literacy Space.  Over the past few years, I’ve so enjoyed what Hanna has put into their space – creative ways to teach literacy, helpful information about the science of reading, and a health smattering of fun!  In today’s podcast, I discuss why multi-sensory reading programs work with Hanna.  I...

Marnie Ginsberg, Founder of Reading Simplified, is a reading difficulties detective who streamlines the science and art of reading instruction so teachers can rapidly learn effective techniques that help students accelerate to grade level and beyond. She also helps translate the latest understandings from science into practical, easy-to-implement activities.  She’s my guest on the podcast tod...

What's Your IEP Meeting Personality Type?  Are you Frazzled Frances, the mom that's always running behind, completely capable of advocating more but overwhelmed with all that life throws at you? Or could you be Courteous Carol, a "yes man" through and through. Perhaps you'll be Hesitant Hannah, who distrusts the sweet Kindergarten teacher and has research to back up everything she says. Of co...

Don’t stress before your annual IEP meeting. I’ve got three simple tips that will help you prepare and feel calm before your meeting! These are all things you’ve heard before - but infused with experience from hundreds of IEP meetings I’ve attended!

It’s IEP Season, and that can only mean one thing.  Parents in special education are freaking out!!!!  In today’s episode I talk about why the annual meeting is just like any other meeting, give you tips for preparing for the meeting, and also give you 4 ideas or strategies that you may employ at this year’s annual meeting in order to get more out of the special education process for you...

Chances are you’ve experienced the Unexpected, and if you’ve stuck around here in the make-lemonade place that I’ve created, you have probably embraced the Unexpected as a Gift.  Today I welcome author, blogger, and speaker Jillian Benfield, whose relatable book, “The Gift of the Unexpected,” explores how she unpacked her son’s Down syndrome diagnosis during a time of transition in her life.&...

In today’s episode we talk with Olivier and Hilda Bernier about their documentary, Forget Me Not, and man alive, are your advocacy bones going to tremble!  The documentary features their story regarding their son’s education.  As 3-year-old Emilio prepares to start school, his family finds itself embroiled in a challenge all too common for children with disabilities - to secure the right...

What’s woodworking have to do with education?  What’s teaching have to do with mental health?  What do woodworking, teacher, mental health, and darn good people have in common?  Brent Duka, that’s what!  Today’s podcast guest, Brent Duka of @classroomandwoodwork, is a classroom teacher who found a passion for woodworking during the pandemic.  Over the course of time, he fo...

Dr. Annie McLaughlin joins us today to talk about behavior supports at school.  We’ll learn what behavior analysts do, how they work in schools, and how the involvement of a behavioral analyst can be an asset in an IEP team.  Dr. Annie talks and talk and walks the walk… she works as a special education advocate in Maryland and has so much valuable experience. Even if you’re in the choir,...

When you think “IEP team,” do you think “teamwork?”  The question is also preposterous!  But it doesn’t have to be.  Congress called it an IEP team and required the participation of certain individuals.  Certainly, they wanted us to act as a real, functional team.  We know that when IEP teams actually work as teams, they’re far more effective, which means the student sees...

The #1 question people ask me after consultations is, “How do I become an advocate?”  Tons of parents and educators see the important work of advocacy and get curious!  How do advocates become advocates?  Just like that!!!  Today we’ll hear from Lisa Richer, an advocate that has developed a system called RIPE Ideas, about her advocacy journey!  I bet you’ll be able to pict...

Christmas Chaos! It’s so normal and relatable. But wouldn’t you rather relate to people with a peaceful heart and mind?! In today’s episode, I give you TEN (yes, ten) tips for surviving the holidays with your neurodiverse family, but let me tell you… these tips support you are caregivers, as well as your other family members, too! Our first ever BONUS episode is a good one inde...