Starting With IEP

Have you ever walked out of an IEP meeting feeling overwhelmed, confused, or like decisions were already made without you? That feeling is more common than you think, and it does not mean you have to accept it. In Episode 32 of Starting with IEP , host Flor de Amelia continues her conversation with Dr. Marielle Mathews to break down what parents need to know when they disagree with the school. Thi...

Have you ever sat in an IEP meeting feeling confused, overwhelmed, or unsure if you can speak up? You are not alone, and more importantly, you are not powerless. In this episode 31 of Starting with IEP , Flor de Amelia is joined by Dr. Marielle Mathews to break down one of the most misunderstood parts of the IEP process: procedural safeguards and your rights as a parent . Together, they unpack wha...

ESY services and one-to-one support are some of the most misunderstood parts of the IEP process. Many families are told their child “needs” these services, only to realize that decisions are not always clearly explained or grounded in meaningful data. When this happens, services can become routine instead of purposeful, and may not truly support the child’s growth. This conversation is for parents...

IEPs are meant to support students, but many families are told their plan is “too long,” “too detailed,” or “too complicated.” In Episode 29, we continue the conversation with Michael Plummer to unpack why that mindset can be harmful and what truly individualized planning should look like. This episode explores what happens behind the scenes in special education leadership. From the realities of w...

Transition IEPs are one of the most critical parts of special education, yet they are often treated like a formality instead of a roadmap to adulthood. When transition planning is vague, delayed, or reduced to a single page in the IEP, students miss meaningful opportunities to build real-world skills before they exit the school system In Episode 28, I walk through what a Transition IEP actually re...

IEP eligibility is one of the most misunderstood parts of special education. Many families walk into their first evaluation meeting believing that a medical diagnosis automatically guarantees an IEP, only to discover that the process is more nuanced than they expected. In Episode 27, we sit down with licensed school psychologist Marielle Mathews to unpack what eligibility truly means, how decision...

IEP meetings can shape a family’s entire educational journey, yet many parents leave feeling unheard, overwhelmed, or uncertain about the decisions being made. In Episode 26, we continue the conversation with Michael Plummer to explore the emotional side of IEP leadership and how trust, communication, and collaboration influence outcomes for students and families. This episode goes beyond policies...

Grade retention is one of the most complex and emotional decisions in special education. Families often feel torn between academic data, emotional readiness, and school recommendations, without fully understanding how IEP teams actually make these decisions. In Episode 25, I talk with Michael Plummer about what really happens behind grade retention discussions, diploma track decisions, and IEP tea...

Occupational therapy is one of the most misunderstood services in special education. Families are often told their child “doesn’t qualify” for school-based OT while simultaneously paying for private OT multiple times a week. In Episode 24, I talk with occupational therapist Cody Lukasik about the real reasons behind this disconnect. This conversation goes beyond surface-level explanations and dive...

Present levels of performance are one of the most important parts of an IEP, yet they are often vague, outdated, or disconnected from real data. When present levels are weak, goals stop being individualized and progress becomes performative instead of meaningful. In Episode 23, I explain what present levels actually are, why they matter, and how they serve as the foundation for every IEP goal. Thi...

Baseline data is one of the most important parts of an IEP, yet it’s often rushed, vague, or poorly explained. Without it, progress becomes subjective, goals can be recycled, and parents lose real leverage in advocating for their child. In Episode 22, I unpack what baseline data really is, why it matters, and how understanding it changes the way parents approach IEP meetings. This episode is not a...

Early intervention does not feel loud or urgent in the beginning. It often feels quiet, slow, and filled with doubt. Families start to wonder whether anything is actually happening, whether progress should look different, or whether they should be pushing harder for more services. Those questions are rarely answered clearly, and that uncertainty can be just as heavy as the diagnosis itself. In Epi...

Early intervention doesn’t begin with a school meeting or an IEP document. It begins in the quiet moments when something feels off and you are deciding whether to trust your instincts or wait it out. That decision carries more weight than most families are ever told. In Episode 20, I walk parents through the Infants and Toddlers Program under IDEA Part C and why early intervention is not about rus...

IEP meetings don’t just test your knowledge of special education, they test your emotional endurance. The self-doubt, the second-guessing, the feeling that everyone else knows something you don’t, it can be isolating in ways few people talk about. In Episode 19, I’m addressing one of the most overlooked yet powerful factors in a parent’s IEP journey: building a parent support network . This episod...

Receiving a diagnosis can feel like the ground has shifted beneath you. The fear, the grief, the questions, and the pressure to “do the right thing” all arrive at once. I know this feeling deeply. In Episode 18, I’m speaking directly to newly diagnosed families and to the parents who are quietly wondering if they should be doing more, sooner. I share the moments I wish someone had prepared me for,...

Planning for adulthood started early for me, long before Aliyah reached her teenage years. I realized quickly that her adulthood was going to look very different from other kids, and if I wanted her to have the best possible future, I needed to understand transition IEPs, DORS, and the services that support young adults with disabilities. In this episode, I’m sharing my own journey. The emotional...

Planning for adulthood started early for me, long before Aliyah reached her teenage years. I realized quickly that her adulthood was going to look very different from other kids, and if I wanted her to have the best possible future, I needed to understand transition IEPs, DORS, and the services that support young adults with disabilities. In this episode, I’m sharing my own journey. The emotional...

Guest: Solo episode with Flor De Amelia, Special Needs Mom, Advocate, and Host of Starting With IEP IEPs don’t only determine services, minutes, or goals. They influence the way our children connect with the world, the opportunities they can access, and the friendships that either form or never get the chance to grow. In this solo episode, I talk about something we rarely discuss in IEP meetings b...

Guest: Solo episode with Flor De Amelia — Special Needs Mom, Advocate, and Host of Starting With IEP IEPs don’t just shape a child’s education, they shape entire families. In this solo episode, I open up about the weight we parents carry, the guilt we rarely talk about, and the way IEP goals ripple through siblings, routines, and the entire rhythm of family life. From communication challenges to s...

Guest: Dr. Carey Heller — Licensed Psychologist, Certified ADHD Professional, Executive Functioning Coach Psychological evaluations can feel overwhelming—pages of scores, terms you’ve never seen, and recommendations that shape your child’s future. Where do you even start? What parts actually matter? And how do you know if something important is missing? In this episode, Flor sits down with Dr. Car...

What does it truly take for a parent to navigate the complex world of IEPs while believing in their child’s potential? In this inspiring conversation, Flor sits down with Jermaine Evans, a dedicated father whose relentless advocacy helped his son overcome significant learning challenges. Together, they explore the intersection of parental persistence, school collaboration, and the emotional journe...

What happens when an experienced behavior analyst becomes a parent navigating his own child’s IEP journey? In this heartfelt conversation, Flor sits down with Ronald Mazik to explore how professional insight meets personal experience. Together, they unpack dyslexia, dysgraphia, functional behavior assessments (FBAs), and the emotional balance between being an advocate and a parent. In this episode...

Episode 10: It’s Not Just a Report - It’s a Roadmap: Making Sense of Psychological Evaluations Guest: Dr. Carey Heller - Licensed Psychologist, Certified ADHD Professional, Executive Functioning Coach Why do some kids know exactly what to do… but still can’t seem to do it? In this episode, Flor sits down with Dr. Carey Heller , licensed psychologist, certified ADHD professional, and executive func...

Episode 9 - IEPs to Degrees: Becoming the Role Model I Never Had “The Brad Butler Story of Resilience and Redemption” Guest: Brad Butler II, Author, Educator, Motivational Speaker What happens when a student labeled “special ed” refuses to let that define his future? In this powerful episode, Brad Butler II opens up about his 10-year journey in special education and how he transformed setbacks int...

Episode 8: Guiding Our Kids Beyond the IEP - Lessons in Advocacy and Growth  Guest: Randi Schleider, Certified Life and ADHD/Executive Function Coach In this empowering episode, Flor De Amelia talks with Randi Schleider , a certified coach, educator, and parent advocate who helps neurodivergent students build the skills they need to thrive in school, college, and beyond. Randi shares her pers...