Special Education Inner Circle

Woah, this episode was difficult to record! It brought up emotions that I didn't know I still had about my daughter's experience with receiving support for reading in elementary school.

As a parent, I remember I initially agreed to the services, but later I had to sign my daughter out of some of them due to the stress it was causing her. It broke my heart to see my daughter feeling like she was being punished for needing extra help in reading. Support services should never feel like a punishment to a child, and it is crucial to ensure that our children feel supported and empowered in their educational journey.

Master IEP Coach® Resources: Become a Master IEP Coach®Hire a Master IEP Coach®Earn Your Master IEP Coach® Certificate

Every time I walk into the room to lead a Parent IEP workshop I have brightly colored index cards or sticky notes in my hand. I pass them out and ask every parent to tell me... "What's one thing you wish your child's teacher knew?"

The results of that question are valuable insights into what parents REALLY want from the school system and often they are focused on the importance of communication, trust, and accountability in the IEP process. As a parent or educator, you know how crucial these elements are in ensuring a successful IEP outcome.

On this episode, I share with you 3 answers I collected at a recent Parent IEP Workshop, plus an unexpected story of an uninvited animal that entered my house and why hiring an expert is sometimes a necessary decision.

Links Mentioned In This Episode:

• Master IEP Coach® Certificate Program
• Start Your Own IEP Coaching Practice
• Download 12 IEP Questions You Need to Ask
• Find All the Special Education Inner Circle Podcast Episodes

Today on the Special Education Inner Circle podcast, I interviewed Dr. Maria Gilmour, author of Seven Superpowers. We chatted all about providing compassionate behavior support at home and school. Sometimes this can feel tricky when emotions are running high, but Maria has been working with children for 25 years and has great strategies to share!

Key Strategies Discussed:

• Compassionate support means finding a balance between being highly reactive and not reacting at all.
• To support a child with compassion, we need to understand that when kids are struggling with behaviors or tasks that are new or not their favorite, they feel scared and emotional. We need to develop a support system to meet them where they are at.
• Remember, kids are always watching, so it's crucial to be aware of our own facial expressions when providing compassionate care and support.
• Giving children choices is also important. As kids grow older and become real adults with real opinions and thoughts, it's essential to let them make choices for themselves based on what they want and who they are.
• Lastly, downshifting is important. Downshifting involves slowing down and being present in the moment, instead of constantly being in a hurry to complete tasks. This can be challenging for parents and teachers as we often have to hurry up and go to get things done. However, downshifting can help us maintain a more peaceful and calm environment, which can ultimately help us support children with compassion.

Need more strategies to provide compassionate support during stressful situations? Grab Maria's Book, Seven Superpowers on Amazon

Additional Links Mentioned In This Episode:

• Master IEP Coach® Certificate Program
• Start Your Own IEP Coaching Practice
• Download 12 IEP Questions You Need to Ask
• Find All the Special Education Inner Circle Podcast Episodes

As someone who has been working in the education system for a long time, I can tell you with confidence that the strategies that we use to deliver therapies at school have not changed in decades. It's definitely time to start thinking about therapy differently and giving it the attention it deserves.

In this episode of the Special Education Inner Circle Podcast, I share with you five considerations that are important game-changers when deciding what kind of therapy could be happening at home and school.

First and foremost, it's important to acknowledge that there is no one right way to make progress. For too long, we've been doing things the same way when it comes to therapy in schools, and sometimes even at home. We've been neglecting to explore other options and approaches that could help children make progress. Exploring new options is exactly how I found Mendability. a Sensory Enrichment Therapy for home and school.

Listen to the full episode to learn all 5 considerations for the parents and teachers to talk about before deciding the next steps for therapy at school.

Recommended Resource: You can reach out to Mendability here.

More Resources For You: Earn Your Master IEP Coach Certificate Start Your Own IEP Coaching Practice Download Your Free IEP Question Checklist

Every week our Master IEP Coach® community gathers to discuss wins, worries, and struggles in our Special Education system. This week on the Special Education Inner Circle podcast I'm sharing 3 conversations and solutions that you can use at your IEP table. :

• The Difference Between a Compliant IEP and a Best Fit IEP
• Moving Beyond Meetings to Save Time and Resources
• Data-Driven Decisions for Special Education Placement

Stay tuned to the end to hear how you can become a Master IEP Coach® and join us for our weekly Special Education strategy sessions!

Episode Notes:

• (01:00) In the Master IEP Coach® community, consisting of parents, teachers, admins, and therapists, conversations are being had about creating positive, collaborative ways to build better IEPs for children. While compliance is necessary in IEPs, the sweet spot lies in making sure that the parent input section is not only compliant but also a true driver for the child's needs. This means prioritizing the concerns of parents, who will be with their child throughout their school career and beyond. By doing so, we can create IEPs that are not just compliant, but the best fit for the child, preparing them for further education, employment, and independent living.
• (03:53) Although compliance and a legally fit document is essential, we also need efficient and effective ways to build IEPs without relying on countless meetings. With all the tech tools we have, waiting for the next meeting is not always necessary. Always ask yourself (and others!) is a meeting really needed for this?
• (06:46) Many school systems still rely on an outdated method of placement for children with individualized education programs (IEPs). They determine where a child should receive services based solely on the level of support they require, rather than considering data to determine the most appropriate environment. This method can lead to children being placed in classrooms that do not meet their needs or restrict their potential. For example, a child transitioning from preschool to kindergarten may be recommended for a self-contained classroom, despite the parents' desire to try general education with supports. It's crucial to gather and analyze data before making a decision on placement.

Links Mentioned In This Episode:

• Master IEP Coach® Certificate Program
• Start Your Own IEP Coaching Practice
• Download 12 IEP Questions You Need to Ask
• Find All the Special Education Inner Circle Podcast Episodes

Life Skills or Academic Skills? Don't force yourself to make a choice! Both are critical for a child to be prepared for their future. How can you integrate life skills into academic routines? Listen in to learn a few ideas you can implement immediately! Earn Your Master IEP Coach® Certificate www.masteriepcoach.com Need more IEP ideas? Start with these 12 IEP Questions (Free Download): www.iepchecklist.com

When Special Education teachers and parents start sharing their stories of why they need IEPs to be different, change starts to happen. Maybe you'll even decide to use your story to help others! Download Master IEP Coach® Resources: www.masteriepcoach.com Prep for your next IEP meeting with these 12 IEP Questions: www.iepchecklist.com

Workload Overload isn't just a teacher problem in Special Education. It's everyone's problem. Parents, you can build trust by being honest with your child's teacher about how you are going to advocate to make sure they have everything she needs to educate your child… including time. Teachers, it's time for you to create a timeline and task analysis to evaluate and document what's really happening during your school days. Ready to gain more leadership skills at the IEP table? Earn your Master IEP Coach® Certificate - www.masteriepcoach.com/course Start your IEP Coaching Business as a Master IEP Coach® - www.masteriepcoach.com/mentorship Download your free IEP Checklist - www.iepchecklist.com

When creating IEP goals, it is important to consider the student's needs not only in the classroom, but also at home. Goals that support students at both home and school are more likely to be achievable and lead to success in both environments. In addition, IEP goals should also be valuable beyond the school years. By creating IEP goals that support students at both home and school and consider long-term success, parents and teachers can reach a whole new level of collaboration! Get Your Own Color Coded Chef Tools for Your Home or Classroom! https://www.thecolorcodedchef.com/ Learn More about Master IEP Coach® www.masteriepcoach.com/learn Send Catherine a DM on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/catherinewhitcher/ Start with these 12 IEP Questions (Free Download): www.iepchecklist.com

As a special education parent or teacher you can find yourself in the most unexpected situations and seasons in your life. Jillian Benfield, author of The Gift of the Unexpected, shares with us how you can live life unedited, get off the balance beam, and find comfort in the word "and". Breathe a sigh of relief while listening to this episode, knowing you're not alone in your struggles, especially on the days that feel… unexpected. Buy the Book on Amazon: The Gift of the Unexpected The Gift of the Unexpected - https://amzn.to/3lpKTml Free IEP Help Download: www.iepchecklist.com