Special Education Strategist: Expert Advice for IEPs, 504 Plans, Dyslexia, Parent Advocacy, Learning Disabilities, Executive Function, Dysgraphia, ADHD, Autism, Neurodivergent

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Special Education Strategist: Expert Advice for IEPs, 504 Plans, Dyslexia, Parent Advocacy, Learning Disabilities, Executive Function, Dysgraphia, ADHD, Autism, Neurodivergent episodes

January 28, 2025118: Inclusive Practices and IEPs
In this episode of The Special Ed Strategist, Wendy Taylor, M.Ed., Executive Director of Learning Essentials and a certified educational therapist, explores how inclusive teaching practices can support meaningful participation for students with learning differences. From understanding IDEA and LRE to advocating for SMART goals and teacher training, Wendy shares actionable strategies to help parents and educators foster a supportive learning environment.

Key Takeaways:
Inclusion is about creating meaningful participation and engagement for all students, not just physical placement in classrooms.
IEPs serve as a roadmap for accommodations and goals that promote active involvement in general education settings.
Collaboration and empathy between parents and educators are essential for successful inclusion.
Connect with Wendy Taylor:
Instagram: @learningessentials
LinkedIn: Wendy Taylor
Facebook: Learning Essentials
Website: LearningEssentialsEDU.com
IEP Course: Cracking the Code
Like, share, and review this episode to help more families discover tools for educational success!
12 min
January 21, 2025117: Helping Your Child with Big Emotions
Join The Special Ed Strategist as Dr. David Palmiter, Clinical Director at the Chesapeake Center, dives into supporting kids with big emotions. With over 25 years of experience, Dr. Palmiter shares practical strategies to help parents and educators foster resilience and manage emotional challenges.

Key Takeaways:
Insights into ADHD and emotional regulation in children
The power of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for emotional resilience
How “special time” can strengthen parent-child connections
Practical tools for calming emotional escalations
Connect with Wendy Taylor
Instagram: @LearningEssentials
LinkedIn: Wendy Taylor
Facebook: Learning Essentials
Website: LearningEssentialsEDU.com
Learn More About Dr. David Palmiter
Website: Chesapeake Center
Resources: Hectic Parents Blog
52 min
January 14, 2025116: IEP Amendments and Adjustments
In this episode of The Special Ed Strategist, host Wendy Taylor, a certified educational therapist and IEP coach with over 20 years of experience, delves into the significance of IEP amendments. She explains how these adjustments can promptly address a child's evolving educational needs without waiting for the annual review. Wendy offers practical advice on recognizing when amendments are necessary, understanding legal rights under IDEA, and fostering effective collaboration with IEP teams. Listeners will gain actionable strategies to ensure their child's IEP remains a dynamic tool for success.

Contact Wendy Taylor:
Instagram: @LearningEssentials
LinkedIn: Wendy Taylor
Facebook: Learning Essentials
Website: LearningEssentialsEDU.com
Explore the 'Cracking the Code' Course: Cracking the Code

Complementary Episodes:
"Building Effective IEP Goals"
"Transitioning Between 504 Plans and IEPs"
"Parent Advocacy: Tips for Success"
9 min
January 07, 2025115: Coaching Teens to Independence with Jane Singleton
Episode Summary:
Join Wendy Taylor as she sits down with Jane Singleton, founder of Launchpad for Life, a certified leadership coach and special education expert. Jane shares her journey from special educator to coach, helping parents and teens foster independence, build executive function skills, and embrace neuroinclusivity. Discover actionable strategies for transitioning from a parenting “director” to a supportive “consultant,” and learn how collaborative problem-solving can empower neurodivergent teens to thrive.

Guest Bio:
Jane Singleton is the founder of Launchpad for Life, specializing in bridging the gap between neurodivergent individuals and inclusive workplaces. With a Master’s degree in Special Education and 13+ years of experience as a learning and behavioral interventionist, Jane now focuses on coaching parents and teens for lasting independence and self-advocacy. As a certified leadership coach, she also works with organizations to promote neuroinclusive practices.

Contact Jane Singleton:
Launchpad for Life Website
LinkedIn Profile
Contact Wendy Taylor:
Instagram: @LearningEssentials
LinkedIn: Wendy Taylor
Facebook: Learning Essentials
Website: LearningEssentialsEDU.com
Course: Cracking the Code to Special Education Eligibility
Podcast: Listen Here
Review: Apple Podcasts
Similar Episodes from The Special Ed Strategist Podcast:
Episode 14: "Executive Function Strategies for Teens"
Episode 22: "Fostering Independence in Neurodivergent Learners"
Episode 35: "Building Self-Advocacy Skills in Special Education"
50 min
December 17, 2024114: Understanding the IEP Review Process
Navigating the IEP process doesn’t have to feel like entering a boardroom without a rulebook. In this episode, Wendy Taylor shares her expertise as an educator and advocate to guide you through the essentials of IEP reviews. Learn how to prepare, organize, and empower yourself as the expert on your child’s needs. Tune in to discover actionable tips and strategies for building a collaborative IEP team.

Contact Me
Have questions or need support? Reach out to me:
Website: Learning Essentials
Instagram: @LearningEssentials
LinkedIn: Wendy Taylor
Facebook: Learning Essentials
Access My Course
Cracking the Code: Special Education Eligibility Course
Review & Listen to the Podcast
Review on Apple Podcasts: The Special Ed Strategist
Listen on Spotify or Apple: The Special Ed Strategist
17 min
December 10, 2024113: Preparing Autistic Teens for College Success - Building Confidence and Independence
Host Wendy Taylor welcomes Beth Felsen, founder of Spectrum Transition Coaching, to discuss essential strategies for preparing autistic teens for college. Beth shares invaluable insights from her 25+ years of experience as a parent, autism coach, and executive function specialist. Learn how to support your teen in developing social connections, mastering life skills, and fostering independence. Beth highlights the transition from K–12 IEP-driven support to college accommodations under ADA, offering practical advice for parents and teens to navigate this new terrain successfully.

What You’ll Learn:
Key differences between K–12 and college support systems.
How to teach self-advocacy skills and remove stigma from accommodations.
Effective strategies for building life and executive function skills early.
Tips for choosing colleges with the right support for neurodiverse students.
Special Offer: Podcast listeners get $50 off Beth’s course using the code sped at Spectrum Transition Coaching.

🔗 Connect with Wendy Taylor:
Instagram: @learningessentials
LinkedIn: Wendy Taylor
Facebook: Learning Essentials
Website: www.LearningEssentialsEDU.com
Course: Cracking the Code to Special Education Eligibility
🔗 Connect with Beth Felsen:
Website: Spectrum Transition Coaching
Guide for Parents: The Ultimate Guide for Parents of Autistic High School Students
Facebook & LinkedIn: Spectrum Transition Coaching

Tune in to gain valuable insights and tools to support your autistic teen's successful transition to college and beyond!
54 min
December 03, 2024112: Differences Between ADA and Section 504
In this episode of The Special Ed Strategist, host Wendy Taylor explores the transition from high school to college for students with disabilities, focusing on changes under ADA and Section 504. Wendy dives into self-advocacy, differences in accommodations, and FERPA's impact on parental involvement. Discover how to prepare your child to advocate for themselves, understand new documentation requirements, and navigate college disability services for a smoother journey into independence.

Contact Me:
Instagram
LinkedIn
Facebook
Website
Need an IEP? Cracking the Code Course
Additional Resources:
Adjusting to College: A Brief Guide for Students with Disabilities
Transition Planning for High School Students with Disabilities
16 min
November 19, 2024111: Holistic Career Counseling With Dr. Daniel Greenwood, Ed.D., M.Ed.
In this episode of The Special Ed Strategist, Wendy Taylor welcomes Dr. Daniel Greenwood, Ed.D., M.Ed., and Beth Greenwood, B.A., UCLA College Counseling Certificate holders, who are experienced career and educational counselors with Greenwood Associates West, Inc. They bring insights from the Greenwood System, a holistic career counseling approach developed over three decades. This episode dives deep into understanding how abilities, interests, values, and personality intersect to guide students toward fulfilling career paths.

Key Highlights:
Holistic Career Counseling
Self-Exploration for Clarity
Career Exploration Tools
Supporting Neurodiverse Learners
Parental Role in Career Development
Value of Informational Interviews
Leveraging AI in Career Counseling
Encouragement for Big Dreams
Resources Mentioned:
Career One Stop (career exploration resource)
ONET (career details database)
edX (MOOCs for career exploration)
Connect with Wendy Taylor:
Instagram: @learningessentials
LinkedIn: Wendy Taylor
Facebook: Learning Essentials
Website: LearningEssentialsEDU.com
Course: Cracking the Code to Special Education Eligibility
Connect with Dr. Daniel Greenwood and Beth Greenwood:
Email: [email protected]
Website: Greenwood System Career Counseling
YouTube Channel: Greenwood System
45 min
November 12, 2024110: Transitioning Between 504 Plans & IEPs
In this episode of The Special Ed Strategist, host Wendy Taylor—special educator, IEP coach, and educational therapist—breaks down the complex process of transitioning from a 504 plan to an IEP. Wendy explains the key differences between the two plans, when and why you might need to move from a 504 to an IEP, and actionable steps for parents to advocate effectively. She offers practical advice and real-world examples to make this daunting process more accessible to both parents and educators. Don't miss Wendy's tips on how to request evaluations, document progress, and work collaboratively with schools.

Contact Wendy:
Instagram: Learning Essentials
LinkedIn: Wendy Taylor
Facebook: Tutoring LE
Website: Learning Essentials
Cracking the Code to Special Education Eligibility Course: Sign up here
Review Podcast: Apple Podcasts
Listen to Podcast: The Special Ed Strategist
Resources:
Wrightslaw: An extensive resource for special education law and advocacy. Wrightslaw Website
Understood.org: Information on special education plans, including 504s and IEPs. Understood
Parent Training and Information Centers: Find your local PTI for support in navigating the IEP process.
Need more help with your advocacy journey? Enroll in Wendy’s course: Cracking the Code to Special Education Eligibility.
14 min
October 29, 2024109: Support with Bullying with Chad Rose, Ph.D.
In this episode of The Special Ed Strategist, host Wendy Taylor sits down with Dr. Chad A. Rose, an Associate Professor at the University of Missouri and the Director of the Mizzou Ed Bully Prevention Lab. Dr. Rose shares insights on bullying and cyberbullying, particularly focusing on neurodivergent learners and vulnerable students. The conversation covers effective strategies to prevent bullying, empower bystanders, and foster social skills in students with disabilities. Dr. Rose’s research on school-wide social-emotional learning and skill-based interventions provides actionable takeaways for educators and parents alike.

Connect with Wendy Taylor:
Instagram: @learningessentials
LinkedIn: Wendy Taylor
Facebook: Learning Essentials
Website: www.LearningEssentialsEDU.com
Review the Podcast: The Special Ed Strategist
Listen to the Podcast: The Special Ed Strategist
Connect with Chad A. Rose, Ph.D.:
University Profile: Chad A. Rose
Bully Prevention Lab: Mizzou Ed Bully Prevention Lab
Mentioned Resources:
StopBullying.gov – A comprehensive resource for bullying prevention and state laws.
Pacer’s National Bullying Prevention Center – Support and resources, especially for students with disabilities.
Cyberbullying Research Center – Focused on online safety and bullying prevention strategies.
53 min