In this episode, Alicia Renee, founder of the IEP Files and advocate for neurodivergent children, shares her personal journey of raising her son, including her struggles and triumphs in navigating the special education system. She discusses the diagnosis process, her relentless pursuit of appropriate services, and her fight against systemic failures in education. Alicia emphasizes the importance of advocacy, both personally and professionally, and offers guidance to other parents facing similar challenges. Her resilience and commitment to ensuring that no parent walks alone into an IEP meeting shine through in this inspiring conversation.

What we discuss:

00:00 Welcome and Introductions

00:42 Parenting a Teenager

01:27 Journey with Autism Begins

02:55 Early Signs and Diagnosis

03:50 Navigating the IEP Process

06:37 Challenges and Advocacy

13:00 Support Systems and Personal Struggles

18:58 Fighting for Services and Rights

22:52 Balancing Personal Health and Advocacy

30:02 Challenges with the School District

30:59 Growing into Advocacy

32:05 Filing Grievances and Complaints

34:17 Understanding My Son's Challenges

36:28 Fighting for Individualized Support

41:33 Becoming an Advocate for Others

50:38 Advice for Struggling Parents

55:41 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

If you liked this episode and want to connect with Alicia:

Website: https://www.theiepfiles.com

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: https://instagram.com/the_iep_files

Tik Tok: theiepfiles

Resources provided by Alicia:

Parent Power: My Amazon Book & Tool List for Advocacy, Boundaries & Support

Why Families of Color Need to Know About the Endrew F. Case

The Top 4 Wrightslaw Books Every Special Needs Parent Should Own

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) | U.S. Department of Education

U.S. Department of Education | The Office of Civil Rights

Client Assistance Program (CAP) | Rehabilitation Services Administration

Home | Rehabilitation Services Administration

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