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When a child struggles with behavior at school, it can feel overwhelming and emotional for families. Behavior challenges often interfere with learning, relationships, and a child’s overall school experience. The good news is that schools are required to support students in ways that are proactive, respectful, and focused on helping children succeed rather than simply punishing behavior. Understanding your rights and the tools available can make a big difference in how your ch

As a parent and former special education teacher, I have seen how confusing and overwhelming it can be when families are trying to get the right supports for their children. One of the biggest points of confusion is the difference between a medical diagnosis like autism and educational eligibility for special education services. Understanding this difference can make a huge impact on how effectively you advocate for your child. A medical diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder

Dyslexia is one of the most common learning differences, affecting about one in five people. It is a brain based difference that impacts reading, spelling, writing, and sometimes fluency. Dyslexia is not related to intelligence, motivation, or effort. With the right support and instruction, individuals with dyslexia can learn to read and thrive. Dyslexia is often misunderstood. Many people believe it means seeing letters backward, but that is not accurate. Dyslexia is primari

When we think about how children learn to talk, we often picture them starting with single words and slowly building sentences. For many children, that is true. But for some children, especially many autistic children, language develops in a different way. Understanding this difference can help parents and educators better support communication without trying to force a child into a one size fits all approach. Gestalt Language Processing is a way of learning language by takin

Public charter schools are often celebrated for offering families choice, flexibility, and innovation in education. Yet when it comes to students with disabilities, many charter schools still struggle with access and adequate support. In some areas, enrollment of students with disabilities remains significantly lower in charter schools than in traditional public schools. This gap raises important questions about equity and whether all students are truly being served. Charter

When your child with an IEP or 504 Plan faces school discipline, it can feel urgent and overwhelming. One of the most important protections in these situations is the Manifestation Determination Review (MDR). This meeting helps ensure that behavior related to a disability is met with support, not punishment, and that schools are following the IEP as required. What Is a Manifestation Determination Review An MDR is a required meeting when a school decides to change a student’s

If your child receives special education services, you’ll likely spend a lot of time in IEP meetings over the years. These meetings can feel overwhelming at first, especially if you’re new to the process. But at their core, IEP meetings are meant to bring people together to talk about your child’s needs, review progress, and make sure the supports in place are actually helping. The Purpose of the Meeting The main goal of an IEP (Individualized Education Program) meeting is to

In special education, two words often come up that can be easy to mix up: accommodations  and modifications . They sound similar, and both are meant to help students learn and succeed. But they serve very different purposes. Knowing the difference helps parents, teachers, and students make thoughtful decisions about the kind of support that best meets a student’s needs. Accommodations: Changing how , not what Accommodations are adjustments to how  a student learns or shows wh

Every child learns differently. Some pick up reading, writing, or math with ease, while others struggle in ways that don’t match their...

Individualized Education Programs, or IEPs, are central in special education. Their job is to provide students with disabilities a...

We usually hear about five senses: sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch. But our experience of the world and of our own bodies is richer...

Dysregulation happens when a child has trouble managing emotions, attention, or behavior in ways that fit the situation. It can look like...

Every IEP, or Individualized Education Program, begins with one essential component: the Present Levels of Academic Achievement and...

In every classroom, there are students who struggle with learning. What many people don’t realize is that some children are not just...

When most people think about disability, they picture challenges that can be seen. A child using a wheelchair, wearing glasses, or using...

When it comes to writing an IEP, the goals are at the heart of the plan. They outline what a student is working toward and guide the...

Executive functions are the mental skills children use to plan, organize, start tasks, manage time, and regulate emotions. When a child...

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)  is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how individuals perceive and communicate in the world. It...

For students with disabilities, a well-thought-out emergency plan can be the difference between chaos and calm, between fear and safety....

A few years ago, I started to shift the way I thought about support—both as an educator and as a parent of neurodivergent children. What...