Special Ed Rising; No Parent Left Behind

When a child experiences significant behavioral challenges, families and educators can find themselves caught in a cycle of incidents, phone calls, meetings, and frustration. But what if we shifted the conversation from blame to understanding, from reacting to preventing, and from simply documenting behavior to teaching skills that help children communicate, participate, and grow? In this episode...

What happens when a child with a disability enters the foster care system? In this episode of Special Ed Rising: No Parent Left Behind , Mark Ingrassia explores the unique challenges children with disabilities can face in foster care, including longer stays, multiple placement changes, and increased use of group homes or institutional settings. Inspired by NPR reporting by Joseph Shapiro, Mark loo...

In this episode of Special Ed Rising: No Parent Left Behind , we explore the transformative power of inclusive theater with ArtStream , a nonprofit creating opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to perform, create, collaborate, and tell their own stories. Joining me are Hayley Cutler, MFA , Artistic Director of ArtStream, and Adrian Forsythe , an ArtStream perfo...

In this episode, January Addison Lare shares her insights on navigating special education, advocating for children, and building collaborative relationships between families and schools. Her personal experiences and professional expertise offer valuable guidance for parents, educators, and advocates. Keywords special education, advocacy, IEP meetings, parent-school collaboration, disability suppor...

Beyond “How Was School?”: The School Year Feelings Game Show Special Ed Rising: No Parent Left Behind “How was school today?” “Fine.” Sound familiar? In this episode, Mark Ingrassia turns the Back-to-School Feelings Game Show into a year-round tool for helping kids talk about what’s really happening at school. Using fun rounds like the Weather Report, Feelings Meter, Worry Button, Pause Button, Ba...

In this episode of Special Ed Rising: No Parent Left Behind , Mark Ingrassia examines recent claims from President Trump and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. suggesting a connection between vaccines and autism. Mark asks a simple question: Where’s the evidence? The episode looks at decades of research involving hundreds of thousands of children, including large studies, meta-analyses, and syste...

In this episode, Matthew Alexander shares his inspiring journey of founding a travel agency dedicated to supporting families with children who have special needs, including autism. He discusses the importance of accessible travel, how to plan inclusive vacations, and the transformative benefits of travel for individuals with disabilities. keywords accessible travel, autism, special needs, family v...

Your entire school’s curriculum in the cloud, with training built in! In this episode, Dr. Suzanne Adinolfi discusses innovative approaches in early childhood education, emphasizing the role of AI in supporting teachers and fostering inclusive, stress-free learning environments. Discover how digital curricula and AI tools like LB are transforming classrooms and empowering educators. Mark and Dr. S...

In this heartfelt interview, Christine Devane shares her journey as an author dedicated to teaching children empathy, kindness, and responsibility through her engaging books about pets and social issues. She discusses her creative process, the impact of her work on children and families, and her inspiring efforts to support rescue animals like Tippy. keywords: children's books, empathy, pet rescue...

In this inaugural edition of Special Ed Rising News, host Mark Ingrassia covers six important stories shaping the future of special education, disability rights, and public policy. From proposed changes to federal oversight of special education to concerns about civil rights enforcement, preschool discipline, voting access, and immigration policy, this episode breaks down the headlines that matter...

In this episode, Jessica Ann Ellis shares her journey from teacher to children's author, emphasizing the importance of emotional intelligence, self-care, and modeling healthy emotional responses for children. Discover how her books aim to foster emotional awareness and support parents and educators in nurturing resilient, emotionally strong kids. keywords children's books, emotional intelligence,...

In this episode, Jeremy Tiegerman shares insights into his lifelong dedication to special education, focusing on language development, behavioral support, and innovative programs for neurodivergent students. Discover how his family’s legacy and his own experiences shape a comprehensive approach to supporting children with learning differences. keywords special education, language development, beha...

In this episode, Jeff Hittner shares his journey into fatherhood, the challenges modern dads face, and how redefining masculinity and emotional intelligence can lead to more fulfilling relationships with their children. keywords: fatherhood, emotional intelligence, masculinity, dad's role, parenting challenges, legacy, vulnerability, co-parenting, modern fatherhood key topics Redefining masculinit...

In this episode, I"m speaking with Dr. Marnie Ginsberg, founder of Reading Simplified. After discovering that many of her own students were years behind in reading, Dr. Ginsberg set out to find a better way. Today, through Reading Simplified, she helps teachers use the Science of Reading to dramatically accelerate literacy growth while making reading instruction simpler and more effective. We expl...

In this episode, Sarah Ingladoo shares her inspiring journey of caring for her sister with complex medical needs, her efforts to establish a respite care home, and the challenges faced in securing funding and support. Discover how her unique perspective as a nurse and sibling drives her mission to improve respite services for families like hers. keywords Respite Care, Medical Complex Needs, Family...

summary In this episode, James J Logan shares his remarkable journey through cancer, the mental and physical challenges he faced, and how his passion for Ironman triathlons fueled his fight for life. Discover how mindset, faith, and community support can turn adversity into a source of strength and purpose. keywords cancer survival, Ironman triathlon, mental resilience, health journey, motivation,...

When parenting feels stuck—when the same conflicts, behaviors, and frustrations keep repeating—it can feel like nothing is working. But what if that moment isn’t failure… but an inflection point? In this episode, we break down the powerful mindset shift that can transform not only your child’s behavior, but your entire relationship dynamic. This conversation is especially important for parents of...

In this episode, we explore the critical issues facing disability support systems, including recent policy changes under the Trump administration, the impact of privatization and austerity on services for autistic and disabled individuals, and the broader implications of ableism and eugenics in current political discourse. Guest journalist, and parent, David Perry shares his personal journey, insi...

📝 Show Notes In this episode, Mark explores a powerful but often overlooked strategy in parenting and education: humor . Drawing from personal experience in the classroom, he shares how humor helped him connect with a highly anxious, routine-driven student—and why that moment still stands out today. But this isn’t about being funny for the sake of it. This episode reframes humor as something much...

This episode features an employment lawyer discussing disability rights, workplace discrimination, reasonable accommodations, and legal protections for parents and individuals with disabilities. Gain insights into navigating legal challenges and advocating for rights in the workplace. keywords: disability rights, workplace discrimination, reasonable accommodations, FMLA, ADA, employment law, disab...

In this engaging interview, Lisa Richer shares her inspiring journey as a neurodiversity consultant, emphasizing the importance of collaboration, self-acceptance, and proactive communication in supporting children with neurodivergent needs. Discover practical strategies for parents and educators to build effective partnerships and advocate for their children's success. keywords neurodiversity, par...

In this episode of Special Ed Rising: PURGE 47 Edition , Mark Ingrassia breaks down proposed federal changes to Supplemental Security Income (SSI) that could significantly impact disabled adults—especially those living with their families. These aren’t minor adjustments. The administration is considering rule changes that could reduce or eliminate benefits for up to 400,000 individuals, shifting t...

This interview explores the challenges and strategies in special education, emphasizing the importance of understanding individual needs, emotional regulation, and advocacy for teachers and parents. Bev Johns shares her extensive experience working with children with behavioral and emotional challenges, offering practical insights for educators and caregivers. keywords special education, emotional...

🧠 Episode Overview This week’s episode takes a deeper look at what advocacy really means when families are navigating both disability and systemic bias. While a scheduled guest appearance was postponed, the conversation opened the door to something that demands attention now—how race, language, and systemic inequities shape special education experiences for families. Through real-world examples a...

primary goal Inspiration and resilience building summary Ty Gipson shares his extraordinary journey through health challenges, including multiple organ transplants and living with type 1 diabetes. His story highlights the power of mindset, small positive steps, and the 'no options' philosophy to overcome adversity and inspire others. keywords resilience, mindset, health challenges, organ transplan...