In this episode, Mark Ingrassia—special educator, advocate, and parent coach—dives into one of the most overlooked but powerful tools available to families: simple, consistent routines.

Schedules. Morning charts. Time blocks.

They may sound basic—even boring—but research and decades of classroom and family experience show they are foundational to lowering stress, reducing conflict, and building independence.

This episode explores how routines don’t just organize your day—they regulate your household.

Predictability lowers anxiety. When children (and parents) know what comes next, their nervous systems relax. Consistent routines reduce uncertainty, which research shows is a key driver of stress responses in both children and adults.

Parents raising children with anxiety, ADHD, autism, or executive functioning challenges make hundreds of micro-decisions daily. That leads to decision fatigue.

When routines are consistent:

1. You stop negotiating every step.
2. You reduce arguments.
3. You prevent last-minute chaos.
4. You move from reacting to coaching.

Less decision fatigue = lower stress.

Children don’t yet have fully developed executive functioning skills. When the day feels unpredictable, their brains stay on alert.

Consistent routines:

1. Reduce transition stress
2. Create clear beginnings and endings to tasks
3. Help perfectionistic children know when “enough” is enough
4. Build a sense of competence and control
5. Turn external structure into internal regulation over time

Predictability allows the brain to prepare instead of panic.

Morning = launch pad

Evening = landing strip

When the beginning and end of the day are steady, the middle becomes manageable.

Most meltdowns don’t happen during tasks—they happen between them.

Clear time blocks like:

1. 4:00 Snack
2. 4:15 Homework (20 minutes)
3. 4:35 Break

…help the brain prepare for what’s next. Preparation lowers resistance. Lower resistance lowers stress.

This episode draws from research in behavioral science, developmental psychology, and executive functioning:

1. Habit formation research (BJ Fogg, Tiny Habits) shows that small, repeatable behaviors build long-term change more effectively than large overhauls.
2. Studies on bedtime routines show consistent nightly structure improves sleep quality, emotional regulation, and behavior.
3. Research on family routines and resilience links predictable daily rhythms to lower parental stress and fewer child behavior problems.
4. Executive functioning research shows children benefit from visual schedules and timed task blocks, especially those with ADHD.
5. Psychological research on uncertainty and stress demonstrates that unpredictability increases cortisol, while structure reduces anxiety.

(See full references below.)

If you’re wondering where to begin:

1. Start small. Pick one part of the day.
2. Use simple time blocks instead of vague instructions.
3. Anchor the new routine to an existing habit.
4. Stay consistent for several weeks before adjusting.

It doesn’t have to be perfect.

It just has to be repeatable.

You don’t have to be a perfect parent.

But being predictable can change your home.

You’re not just organizing a schedule.

You’re building safety.

You’re building confidence.

You’re building a calmer nervous system—for your child and for yourself.

And that changes everything.

Fogg, B. J. (2019). Tiny Habits: The Small Changes That Change Everything. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

Mindell, J. A., et al. (2015). “Bedtime routines for young children: A dose-dependent association with sleep outcomes.” Sleep.

Spagnola, M., & Fiese, B. H. (2007). “Family routines and rituals: A context for development in the lives of young children.” Infants & Young Children.

Evans, G. W., & Wachs, T. D. (2010). Chaos and Its Influence on Children’s Development. American Psychological Association.

Barkley, R. A. (2012). Executive Functions: What They Are, How They Work, and Why They Evolved.

American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) policy statements on routines, sleep, and family structure.

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Special Ed Rising: No Parent Left Behind

Hosted by Mark Ingrassia

Because no parent should walk this road alone.

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In this episode, Mark sits down with Julie M. Green, author of Motherness, a memoir exploring generational autism, parenthood, and radical acceptance. A 2024 finalist for the CBC Nonfiction Prize, Julie’s writing has appeared in The Washington Post, The Globe and Mail, HuffPost, Parents, Chatelaine, CBC, and Today’s Parent, among others.

Julie shares her journey as the mother of an autistic son and her own later-in-life autism diagnosis. She reflects on navigating the early 2010s autism landscape, when resources were limited and the pressure on parents to “correct” their children was intense. Together, Mark and Julie explore how the rhetoric around autism has shifted from awareness to acceptance — and why that shift is critical.

They discuss the challenges families face within educational systems that often prioritize conformity over inclusion. Julie emphasizes that behavioral struggles are often signs of unmet needs, not defiance, and that meaningful support should focus on improving quality of life rather than enforcing normalization.

The conversation also explores masking and its impact on mental health, the complexity of identity within the autistic community, and the importance of representation — including a discussion about the release of the Autistic Barbie and what true inclusion requires beyond symbolic gestures.

At its core, this episode is about self-understanding, self-compassion, and rethinking what support should look like for autistic individuals and their families. As Julie shares, she wrote the book she wished she’d had — offering an insider perspective that helps others feel seen and understood.

Julie is the author of Motherness, a memoir of generational autism, parenthood, and radical acceptance. In 2024, she was a finalist for the CBC Nonfiction Prize. Her work has been widely published across major media outlets, and she writes The Autistic Mom on Substack.

Connect with Julie:

1. Website: https://juliemgreen.ca
2. Book: https://juliemgreen.ca/books-1
3. Substack: https://theautisticmom.substack.com/

1. The rhetoric around autism is shifting from fixing to accepting.
2. Parents have historically carried immense pressure to conform their children to societal norms.
3. Quality of life — not compliance — should guide autism support.
4. Educational systems often prioritize conformity over inclusion.
5. Behavioral challenges are frequently signs of unmet needs.
6. A mindset shift is necessary to interpret autistic behaviors as communication.
7. Radical acceptance embraces the full complexity of neurodiversity.
8. Masking can have serious mental health impacts.
9. Representation matters, but it must be meaningful and nuanced.
10. Personal narratives foster empathy and help others feel understood.

1. “The onus was very much on parents.”
2. “It’s about improving quality of life.”
3. “I wrote the book I wish I’d had.”

1. Redefining Autism: From Fixing to Accepting
2. Navigating Autism: A Journey of Radical Acceptance
3. The Parent’s Journey: Rethinking Autism Support

00:00 – Introduction and Background

06:15 – Acceptance vs. Fixing

10:06 – Inclusion, Support, and Educational Systems

27:57 – Masking and Mental Health

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Parents are constantly asked to measure how their children are doing—academically, behaviorally, socially. But how often are they invited to pause and reflect on themselves?

In this episode, host and educator Mark Ingrassia shifts the focus inward. Drawing from years of experience working alongside families, Mark explores how parental self-awareness directly impacts children’s regulation, behavior, and resilience.

Because children don’t experience life in isolation—they experience it through the adults who care for them.

Through tone.

Through stress.

Through energy.

Through calm.

This episode offers practical tools to help parents recognize their strengths, identify growth areas without shame, and build simple mindful habits that reduce burnout and increase connection at home.

1. Why parental self-awareness shapes child behavior
2. How stress responses influence family dynamics
3. The difference between reacting and responding
4. How mindful practices improve emotional regulation
5. Why strengths-based parenting creates more confidence
6. How systems—not guilt—create real change
7. A simple weekly reflection habit to prevent burnout
8. 5 calm-down tools parents can start using immediately

1. The 3-Breath Reset – Pause and take three slow breaths before responding.
2. Grounding (5-4-3-2-1 Method) – Use your senses to return to the present moment.
3. The Pause Phrase – Repeat: “Pause. Breathe. Respond.”
4. The 2-Minute Reset – Build short breaks into transitions.
5. Body Release – Relax jaw, shoulders, hands, and tension points.

Small habits. Big impact.

1. Children mirror adult regulation.
2. “Behavior” often starts with adult stress levels.
3. Strengths matter more than perfection.
4. Growth happens through systems—not self-criticism.
5. Self-care is not selfish—it’s strategic.
6. When parents grow, children grow.

1. When do I feel most calm and connected with my child?
2. What do I naturally do well as a parent?
3. What situations trigger stress for me?
4. What is one small regulation tool I can practice this week?
5. What worked well this week? What needs adjusting?

✔ Write down 3 parenting strengths

✔ Identify 1 growth area

✔ Choose 1 calm-down tool

✔ Schedule a 10-minute weekly reset

Progress over perfection.

You don’t need to be perfect.

You need support.

You need awareness.

You need space to grow at your own pace.

You matter in this journey.

When you grow, your child grows.

That’s what No Parent Left Behind is all about.

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📚 Research References Used in This Episode

Parental Influence on Child Development & Parent-Child Transactional Processes

Describes how children’s development is shaped by dynamic exchanges with parents.

Source: A review on parent-child transactional processes in child development outcomes.

Quoted idea: “parents affect children and children affect parents.”

Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7781063/

Parenting with Self-Awareness

Explains how being aware of inner states influences parenting behavior and relationships.

Quoted idea: “In our interactions with our children, each of us has the choice to respond in ways that either strengthen or weaken our relationships with them.”

Source: Alabama Cooperative Extension System resource on self-awareness in parenting.

Link: https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/home-family/parenting-with-self-awareness-he-0952/

Positive Aspects of Parenting Children with Intellectual Disabilities

Reports on increased personal strength, confidence, and meaning-focused coping among parents.

Quoted idea: “an increased sense of personal strength and confidence” described by parents.

Source: PMC article on parental experiences and positive impacts.

Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5703033/

Parental Reflective Functioning, Self-Efficacy, Psychological Flexibility & Coping

Examines how parental reflective functioning links to self-efficacy and proactive coping strategies.

Quoted idea: “parental self-efficacy mediated the association between reflective functioning and proactive coping strategies.”

Source: ResearchGate article on parents of children with autism.

Link: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/389248236_Psychological_Flexibility_Parental_Reflective_Functioning_Parental_Efficacy_and_Coping_in_Parents_of_Children_With_Autism

Parental Reflective Functioning and Sensitive Parenting

Shows higher parental reflective capacity is associated with better parenting and regulation outcomes in children.

Source: Article on reflective functioning in parenting from Mindfulness journal.

Link: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12671-024-02379-6

Parental Self-Efficacy and Children’s Outcomes

Discusses the relationship between parental belief in their capabilities and positive child/family outcomes.

Source: Frontiers in Psychology article on parental self-efficacy.

Link: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.928629/full

keywordsparenting, child development, neuroscience, self-awareness, communication, stress management, parent engagement, education, emotional regulation, family dynamics

summary In this conversation, Lisa A Riegel discusses the challenges parents face in supporting their children, the importance of understanding the biology of stress and perception, and effective communication strategies. She emphasizes the need for self-awareness in both parents and children, the significance of creating a supportive home environment, and the value of allowing children to explore and learn from their experiences. The discussion also touches on the importance of finding joy and self-control in parenting, and the necessity of gratitude in fostering positive relationships.

takeaways

1. Parents often feel unprepared and overwhelmed in their roles.
2. Understanding the biology of stress can help parents manage their reactions.
3. Effective communication involves recognizing and naming emotions.
4. Self-awareness is crucial for both parents and children.
5. Creating a supportive home environment fosters children's growth.
6. Allowing children to explore helps them develop resilience.
7. Mindfulness practices can enhance emotional regulation.
8. Gratitude can improve family dynamics and relationships.
9. Parents should model self-care and emotional awareness.
10. Building a strong parent-child connection is essential for development.

titles

1. Navigating Parenting Challenges
2. The Neuroscience of Parenting

Sound Bites

1. "Parents are left behind."
2. "Name my face now."
3. "Gratitude can never go wrong."

Chapters

00:00Introduction and Background of Lisa A Riegel

01:08Understanding Parental Engagement and Neuroscience

02:58The Impact of Stress on Learning and Behavior

04:42Navigating Teenage Emotions and Communication

08:45Self-Awareness and Emotional Regulation

14:16Practical Strategies for Parents and Children

16:10The Role of Self-Awareness in Parenting

20:38Building Family Connections Through Communication

21:41The Importance of Family Dinners

22:55Cultivating Positive Mindsets in Children

23:43Navigating Parenting Challenges

25:21The Pressure of Modern Childhood

26:06Finding Personal Fulfillment

27:39Understanding Happiness and Self-Awareness

29:07Developing Self-Care Routines

31:15Managing Anxiety and Control

32:34Influence of Peers and Social Media

35:11Choosing Happiness and Life Changes

37:04Final Thoughts for Parents and Educators

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In this episode of Special Ed Rising: PURGE 47 Edition, host Mark Ingrassia steps away from disability policy to confront a reality that affects every American: the rapid erosion of democratic norms and the rise of authoritarian governance in the United States—most visibly playing out right now in Minnesota.

Mark examines the aggressive federal immigration enforcement surge led by DHS, ICE, and Border Patrol, including mass arrests, militarized operations in residential neighborhoods, and multiple fatal encounters involving U.S. citizens. He addresses the killings of Renée Nicole Good and Alex Pretti, the mounting allegations of illegal and inhumane ICE practices, and the constitutional crisis triggered by unchecked executive power.

This episode also draws historically grounded parallels to past authoritarian regimes—not as sensationalism, but as a warning. Through legal analysis, scholarly research, and firsthand accounts, Mark explores how democratic erosion happens: through normalization, propaganda, the weakening of oversight, and the weaponization of fear against marginalized communities.

This is not a partisan episode. It is a civic one.

If you believe in due process, equal protection, and the rule of law, this conversation is not optional.

1. Why Mark is stepping beyond disability policy for this urgent episode
2. The federal immigration enforcement surge in Minnesota
3. Militarized ICE operations and mass detentions
4. The killings of Renée Nicole Good and Alex Pretti
5. Allegations of warrantless stops, racial profiling, and suppression of civilian recording
6. Federal court intervention and constitutional challenges
7. The concept of the “prerogative state” and authoritarian drift
8. How language and propaganda are used to dehumanize targeted groups
9. Historical warning signs of democratic erosion
10. Why silence and normalization are the real danger

1. Federal overreach and lack of accountability
2. Due process and Fourth Amendment erosion
3. State vs. federal power conflicts
4. Militarization of civilian law enforcement
5. The human cost of unchecked authority
6. Historical parallels to authoritarian systems
7. Civic responsibility in moments of democratic crisis

1. CBS News — Minneapolis becomes ground zero in immigration crackdown
2. PBS NewsHour — Federal court hearings on Minnesota enforcement surge
3. Business Insider — Labor unions call for ICE to leave Minnesota
4. ACLU — Statements on ICE and CBP deployment
5. The Guardian — Constitutional challenges to ICE operations
6. Center for American Progress — How democracies erode
7. Berkeley News — Historians on modern fascism parallels
8. Wikipedia — Dual State (Model)
9. Minneapolis.gov — Legal filings on Operation Metro Surge
10. Wikipedia — Killing of Alex Pretti
11. Wikipedia — 2026 Anti-ICE Protests in the United States

(Full source list available on specialedrising.com)

If you’re listening to this and thinking, “Someone should do something,” that someone is you.

Share this episode. Call your representatives. Demand accountability. Show up in your community.

Silence is complicity—and democracy doesn’t defend itself.

🌐 Website: https://specialedrising.com

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The release of the first autistic Barbie sparked hope, joy, and meaningful conversation. Representation matters—especially for children who rarely see themselves reflected in the world around them. For some families, this doll is a moment of validation.

But representation is not the same as support.

In this episode, we look beyond the celebration to ask harder questions:

Can a single doll represent the full autism spectrum? Who gets included—and who gets left out—when disability is made marketable? And does visibility sometimes make the world more comfortable without changing the systems families depend on?

We explore the autistic Barbie’s design, the mixed reactions from autistic adults and parents, and the growing gap between symbolic inclusion and real-world support. From IEP battles and underfunded schools to weakened enforcement of IDEA, parents are often left holding two truths at once: pride in being seen and exhaustion from fighting systems that still don’t work.

This episode isn’t about rejecting representation—it’s about demanding more.

Because symbols can open the door, but policy, funding, and accountability decide whether our kids get through it.

1. Creating Inclusive Schools for Autistic Students (Scoping Review) – Frontiers in Education
2. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/education/articles/10.3389/feduc.2025.1630710/full?utm_source=chatgpt.com
3. Teachers’ Perceptions & Strategies for Inclusion – Springer
4. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10803-021-05266-4?utm_source=chatgpt.com
5. School-Based Interventions for Social Inclusion – Springer
6. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40489-024-00429-2?utm_source=chatgpt.com
7. Improving Student Attitudes Toward Autistic Peers – PubMed
8. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37615921/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
9. Strategies Supporting Inclusive Education for Autistic Students – PubMed
10. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36382073/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
11. Mattel Launches First Autistic Barbie – The Guardian
12. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/jan/12/mattel-launches-its-first-autistic-barbie?utm_source=chatgpt.com
13. Mattel Teams with Autistic Self Advocacy Network – AP News
14. https://apnews.com/article/9c33f493a04c4f52bb8d08026b6f5f53?utm_source=chatgpt.com
15. Teacher Knowledge & Self-Efficacy Toward Inclusion – PubMed
16. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38155371/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
17. Challenges in Mainstream Schools for Inclusion – PubMed
18. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38481460/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Parents, educators, and advocates: This episode is for anyone who wants to see representation and real support for autistic kids. Let’s celebrate the wins without losing sight of the work still ahead.

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In this episode of Special Ed Rising: No Parent Left Behind, we dive into what parents need to know about special education heading into 2026. From federal proposals like the Empowering Families in Special Education Act to state-level updates in New Jersey and Connecticut, staying informed has never been more important.

We also explore an unexpected lesson from Marcel the Shell with Shoes On—a tiny, one-eyed shell whose story teaches us about uniqueness, dignity, interdependence, and the importance of seeing potential over difference.

Whether you’re navigating IEP meetings, advocating for accommodations, or just trying to make sense of a system that wasn’t built for your child, this episode is a reminder that access, advocacy, and informed action are the keys to inclusion.

Key Takeaways:

1. IDEA rights remain intact, but implementation depends on proactive, informed parents.
2. Transparency is increasing in some states, but families must still monitor progress and ask questions.
3. Difference is not deficit—uniqueness opens doors, Marcel-style.
4. Advocacy isn’t optional; it’s essential.

Resources Mentioned:

1. Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) – U.S. Department of Education
2. Empowering Families in Special Education Act (proposed) – U.S. Congress
3. New Jersey Department of Education – IEP transparency
4. Connecticut State Department of Education – Parent guides
5. Wrightslaw – Special education law & advocacy
6. COPAA – Family-centered advocacy
7. Marcel the Shell with Shoes On (2021), dir. Dean Fleischer Camp

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If you’re a parent navigating special education, the system is changing fast—and whether those changes help or hurt your child depends largely on how informed and prepared you are. In this episode, we break down the most important trends heading into 2026, based on research, national reporting, and what families are experiencing on the ground.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

1. Rising Demand & Identification: How IDEA eligibility continues to grow, and what that means for assessments and services.
2. Inclusion & Instruction: Why true inclusion goes beyond placement and how social integration and belonging impact outcomes.
3. Technology & Personalized Learning: How AI, adaptive tech, and assistive technology are transforming learning—and what parents need to watch for in IEPs.
4. Early Intervention & Life Skills: Evidence showing early supports improve long-term outcomes, plus the growing focus on independence, job readiness, and daily living skills.
5. Policy, Funding & System Challenges: How ending ESSER funds, Medicaid changes, and the One Big Beautiful Bill impact school services, staffing, and delivery.
6. Well-Being & Teaching Strategies: Trauma-informed instruction, social-emotional learning (SEL), and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) as key strategies for student success.

Why This Matters:

Parents need to advocate early, clearly, and consistently, stay informed about policy changes, and ensure their child’s services are delivered as written in the IEP. Advocacy doesn’t mean knowing everything—it means showing up, asking questions, documenting, and never letting decisions about your child happen without you.

Resources & Links Mentioned in the Episode:

1. Special Ed Rising: specialedrising.com — tips, tools, and parent coaching
2. YouTube Channel: Special Ed Rising YouTube
3. Ray’s Respite Care GoFundMe: [link in show notes] — help bring relief and joy to families
4. Safer Starter iPhone: iparent101.com — advocate for safer technology for kids
5. 52 Love Letters to You by Jyoti Jo Manuel: lovefromjyoti.com — daily reflections for self-compassion

Takeaway:

Your voice matters. Your presence matters. And your child’s future is worth the discomfort of pushing back. Systems don’t protect children—people do.

1. K–12 Dive – Reporting on rising special education enrollment and IDEA eligibility trends.
2. Read more
3. The Guardian – UK parental requests for special education assessments and system challenges.
4. Read more
5. The Edvocate – Insights on inclusive classrooms and benefits for students academically and socially.
6. Read more
7. National Library of Medicine / PubMed – Research on meaningful inclusion, early intervention, and long-term outcomes.
8. Inclusion & belonging: PMC article
9. Early intervention & outcomes: PubMed study
10. Springer Nature – Systematic reviews on AI and adaptive technologies in special education for personalized learning.
11. Read more
12. GovTech.com – Guidance on ethical, equitable implementation of AI in schools.
13. Read more
14. Education Week – Parent perspectives on AI enhancing inclusivity in education.
15. Read more
16. Project Understanding – Evidence supporting early childhood programs improving long-term academic and social outcomes.
17. Read more
18. Illuminated Minds – Trends emphasizing life skills, independence, and job readiness in special education.
19. Read more
20. Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB) – Analysis of the One Big Beautiful Bill (2025) and its impacts on Medicaid and school funding.
21. Read more
22. Skillman Foundation – Insights into how federal funding changes affect state budgets and education services.
23. Read more
24. Edmentum – Trends in trauma-informed teaching, social-emotional learning (SEL), and instructional strategies.
25. Read more
26. Teachers Institute – Universal Design for Learning (UDL) research and classroom applications.
27. Read more

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Show Notes:

As 2025 comes to a close, this episode of Special Ed Rising; No Parent Left Behind takes a hard look at the policies that continue to marginalize disabled children, adults, and their families. From reduced Medicaid funding and overwhelming waitlists for home- and community-based services, to inaccessible housing and restricted employment opportunities, we explore how these choices play out in real lives across the country.

We dig into how exclusion is not just a policy issue—it’s a reflection of our values. What happens when disabled people are seen as “costs” or “burdens,” when immigrant families fear accessing services, or when Black and Brown disabled students face disproportionate discipline?

This episode challenges listeners to ask: where does our fear and prejudice end, and where does our humanity begin? Learn practical ways to take action, advocate for inclusive policies, and support disability-led initiatives.

Special Ed Rising is your guide to turning frustration into advocacy, isolation into community, and silence into action. No parent should navigate this system alone, and no story should be dismissed.

Exclusion is real and measurable.

Policy choices—like cuts to Medicaid, long HCBS waitlists, inaccessible housing, and restricted employment—directly affect whether disabled people can live independently and with dignity.

Discrimination intersects with other identities.

Race, language, class, and immigration status intensify the impact of disability exclusion. Black and Brown students, immigrant families, and low-income households often face compounded barriers.

Inclusion is a value, not a luxury.

When disabled people are framed as “burdens” or “exceptions,” society tolerates inequity. Advocates must challenge these narratives to center dignity, equity, and humanity.

Action starts locally.

Attend IEP meetings, school board sessions, and legislative hearings. Advocate for accessible housing, inclusive education, and equitable employment opportunities. Share your lived experiences—statistics alone aren’t enough.

Change begins with community and persistence.

Exclusion isn’t inevitable. By showing up, speaking out, and supporting disability-led organizations, families, educators, and advocates can transform frustration into collective power.

You are not alone.

Special Ed Rising exists to amplify parent and caregiver voices, break down complex policies, and foster a supportive community where no parent is left behind.

Call to Action:

Show up at IEP meetings, school boards, and legislative hearings. Share your story. Support disability-led organizations. And when inclusion is dismissed as “too expensive,” speak up—because change begins with people who refuse to accept less for their children, their families, and their futures.

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• Medicaid & Disability Services: Learn more about how Medicaid supports people with disabilities and recent policy changes. Kaiser Family Foundation
• Accessible Housing: Data on how few housing units are truly accessible for adults with disabilities and the barriers families face. Urban Institute, Northeast Arc
• Education & Discipline Disparities: Research on how Black and Brown students with disabilities are disproportionately disciplined or denied supports. Skiba et al., 2011, U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights
• Employment & Work Programs: Information about employment programs for disabled adults and barriers to competitive employment. Social Security Administration – Ticket to Work, Kaye, 2010
• Early Intervention for Immigrant Families: Challenges immigrant families face accessing services for their disabled children. National Center for Family Professional Partnerships
• General Disability Advocacy & Resources: Practical guides for inclusion, accessibility, and advocacy. Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund
• Special Education Policy & Practice: How schools and states manage services, inclusion, and supports for students with disabilities. National Center for Special Education in Charter Schools

In this episode of Special Ed Rising, I talk honestly about what families truly need in order to rise.

Before policies, programs, or solutions, we have to acknowledge the lived experience of families navigating special education every day. Families aren’t just managing paperwork—they’re carrying fear, exhaustion, and the pressure to get it right in a system that often asks too much without offering enough support.

I explore the emotional toll on families, the concept of parent role strain, why burnout is not failure, and how broken follow-through erodes trust. Drawing on research and real-world experience, this episode highlights what actually helps families thrive: clear communication, consistent implementation, meaningful partnership, and access to training, coaching, and community.

In this episode:

• Why parental stress and burnout are predictable—not personal failures
• How jargon and broken follow-through block collaboration
• Why parent voice and partnership improve outcomes
• Practical ways schools and systems can support families

Special Ed Rising supports individuals with disabilities across education, access, and health.

⭐ If you enjoy the show, please rate, review, subscribe, and share.

Resources & Advocacy

• Parent coaching & tools: specialedrising.com
• Support Ray’s Respite Care https://www.gofundme.com/f/join-rays-respite-care-mission
• Join the call for a Safer Starter iPhone: iparent101.com
• Featured book: 52 Love Letters to You by Jyoti Jo Manuel — lovefromjyoti.com

When families are informed, respected, and supported, students thrive. When families rise, systems must follow.

Cheng, A. W. Y., & Lai, C. Y. Y. (2023). Parental stress in families of children with special educational needs: A systematic review. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 14, Article 1223456. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1223456

Mooren, M. A. (2025). How parents experience language during IEP meetings: Perceptions of language and collaboration (Doctoral dissertation, Marquette University).

Pennington, S. E., Tang, J. H., Divoll, K., & Correll, P. (2024). A scoping review of parent interactions with teachers and school environments. Education Sciences, 14(3), 294. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci14030294

The Impact of parental involvement on the educational development of students with autism spectrum disorder. (2025). Children, 12(1), Article 1062. https://doi.org/10.3390/children12011062

The effect of family–educator relationships on special educator well-being. (2025). Education Sciences, 15(9), 1120. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci15091120