The Collaborative IEP

In this episode of the Collaborative IEP Podcast , I dive deep into the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), focusing specifically on evaluations and the IEP document itself. I'm walking you through sections 1414 A, B, and C—breaking down the purpose of different assessment tools, the requirement for parental consent, and the step-by-step procedures for evaluations and reevaluations...

In this special episode I’m diving into part two of our special series on the Department of Education’s policy document called  Building and Sustaining Inclusive Educational Practices . This time, we’re talking all about how to actually put inclusive education into practice—with guiding principles, real-world strategies, and a big focus on belonging, leadership, and collaboration.  I’ll...

Welcome back to the Collaborative IUP podcast! I'm Ashley Barlow, your host, and today we're diving into Part B, Section 1413 of the IDEA statute. This section focuses on what local education agencies, like your school districts, need to do to ensure they receive federal funds for special education. We'll walk through the general provisions, exceptions, compliance rules, and specific uses of funds...

Welcome back to the Collaborative IEP podcast! I’m Ashley Barlow, your host, and today’s special episode is all about building and sustaining inclusive educational practices. We dive into the 52-page joint policy guidance from the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitated Services (OSERS) and the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education. This comprehensive document highlights where inclusi...

Today, we're diving deep into Section 1412 of the IDEA, which is all about State Eligibility. We'll go through the 25 key requirements states must meet to qualify for federal funding under the IDEA. From providing a free, appropriate public education (FAPE) to ensuring students' confidentiality, and even discussing procedural safeguards, we cover it all. We'll also talk about various topics such a...

In this episode of the Collaborative IEP podcast, host Ashley Barlow returns from a brief detour in our IDEA series to discuss Section 1411 of IDEA, which is all about funding and appropriations. The episode begins with a brief overview of the significance of staying informed through trusted sources in light of recent federal-level changes. I describe some resources, including the special series o...

You know what wasn't on my BINGO card for 2025? An Anti-Inclusion Narrative! Yet, we are where we are (or if you shop at Fresh Thyme, I yam what I yam... but I digress), and that's why I'm happy to have the opportunity to share my recent conversation with our friend, Kayla Coburn, with you all! Kayla has so many wonderful resources @inclusionstarts now to help us carve out inclusive opportunities,...

In this episode of The Collaborative IEP Podcast, I sit down with Megan Pinchback, a highly trained CALT dyslexia therapist and owner of Dyslexia on Demand, to talk all things dyslexia intervention—from the gold standard in tutor and teacher training to the hallmarks of effective reading instruction. We also dive into important dyslexia stats, the benefits of online tutoring, and what really works...

Series: Education on the Line: Special Education Policy Watch The Trump administration has indicated that its plan at the beginning of its administration is to flood citizens with a barrage of information and a tidal wave of change  to invoke overwhelm, allowing them to force policy and legislative changes on us before we see them coming.  My dispute resolution body and soul tell me that...

You're definitely not alone if you love a disabled person and have struggled to find a church community. You're also not alone is finding community ANYwhere is hard! If that's you, you're going to love this interview with my friend, Kim Botto. Kim's book, Boundless Hope for Every Child, is so insightful and helpful. I mean, how could you not love the tagline... Help for the Hurting, Compassion for...

We're working our way, section by section, through IDEA, our federal law. After today's quick podcast, you will be able to say you have been taught Subchapter I/ Part A inside and out!!! Today we'll work through several sections, some admittedly kind of perfunctory, but I try to tell you why they matter to YOU! And then we'll learn about some of my favorite tools ever, Dear Colleague Letters, Poli...

In this episode, we’re diving into one of the most important but often overlooked sections of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA): the definitions. We’ll explore why these definitions are more than just legal jargon—they’re the foundation of your advocacy efforts. You’ll learn how understanding key terms like “FAPE,” “least restrictive environment,” and “assistive technology” ca...

In this brand-new series, we're diving deep into the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to break it down in simple, actionable terms. We are literally going section by section through the law, and I'll try my best to make it easy to understanding, stopping to provide advocacy ideas along the way. Whether you're a parent, teacher, or advocate, you'll gain clarity on the law and prac...

In today's episode I'm giving you to down low on Interroception, the sense of feeling your feelings and accessing skills and tools to ameliorate them when they're uncomfortable. This is part of a series where I give you little snippets of helpful information in short bursts- similar to how I do it in the IEP Guru Academy products! Over half of my IEP meetings deal with Interroception, at least in...

This week on the podcast, I’m getting real with you. I’ll share my honest reflections on the IEP Guru Academy launch, why it didn’t go as planned, and what I’ve learned about the challenges of advocacy in special education. Spoiler alert- it was a bummer. But here’s the thing—I’m not staying in disappointment. Instead, I’m using it to inspire a fresh start for all of us in 2025. Let’s talk about w...

Want to learn about interoception in 20 minutes or less? I’m breaking it down for you in this episode – literally faster than it takes me to paint my nails! 💅 Interoception is the ability to sense what's going on inside our bodies – think hunger, thirst, or even when we need to use the bathroom. It’s a critical skill, especially for kids with sensory processing challenges, and understanding it ca...

Behavior. It’s the buzzword at so many IEP meetings, yet it’s often misunderstood, overcomplicated or downright ignored. Today, I’m breaking it down in just 12 minutes—or less! You’ll get my behavior 'ditty'—a quick, memorable way to think about and address behavior effectively. Why? Because this perspective is a game-changer in IEP meetings and school discussions, and I want you to see just how m...

How does IQ testing affect your child’s eligibility for special education services, their disability category under IDEA, and their placement in the least restrictive environment (LRE)? In this episode, we break it all down. We’ll explore the purpose of IQ testing, its limitations, and how it fits into the broader picture of determining your child’s unique needs. You’ll learn how disability catego...

Conflict is often seen as something to avoid, but what if it’s the key to progress? In this episode, we explore how productive conflict can strengthen relationships, spark creativity, and lead to better outcomes—both in everyday life and at the IEP table. We'll share real-life examples of how disagreements, when handled constructively, have driven innovation, resolved long-standing issues, and bui...

Are you ready to tackle IEP meetings with confidence and ease? 💪 In this week’s episode, I’m introducing something that’s going to change the game for parents and teachers: the IEP Guru Academy Videos! What you’ll learn in this episode: ✨ How these short, focused videos meet YOUR needs. ✨ The practical strategies, workbooks, and tools they offer. ✨ Why they’re perfect for busy parents and educ...

We’re rebranding! After much thought and heart, I'm thrilled to introduce The Collaborative IEP—a brand that better reflects our mission to empower and support families and educators in navigating the IEP process together. 💪💙And that’s not all! To kick off this new chapter, I’m launching the IEP Guru Academy videos—short, affordable, and jam-packed with practical strategies designed to make your...

We wrap up our 200th episode celebration today with one of your favorite repeat guests, Dr. Rachel Schwartz, and man did we ever have fun! Dr. Rachel and I set out with a loose idea of discussion topics, but what you really get in this episode is a discussion between someone who supports IEP teams in supporting students' behavior and an advocate who sees the trends when things go south. Dr. Rachel...

When Pepper Stettler's daughter, Louisa, was first entering school, she was IQ tested. Pepper didn't think much of it... until the results came in. What happened next prompted Pepper to go on a years-long journey of research and discovery. Pepper assimilated the results of that into a book called A Measure of Intelligence: One Mother's Reckoning with the IQ Test, and boy is it ever good! In the bo...

As we wrap up this 200th celebration In this inspiring episode, I sit down with my friend Mandi Jamison, whose daughter, Clara, has defied expectations. Clara, who has Down syndrome, was a varsity cheerleader and is now pursuing her dreams as a model. Mandi shares her journey as a dedicated advocate, working tirelessly to secure Clara's inclusion in extracurricular activities, academics, and cheer...

Does your child experience demand avoidance? This episode is all about Pathological Demand Avoidance/Persistent Drive for Autonomy, and our guest is one of your favorites, not to mention MINE! Dr. Taylor Day is my go to on demand avoidance and drive or autonomy, and in this episode we dive a little deeper into PDA and what it means to support students that experience it. Taylor talks us through th...