A couple weeks ago, I was asked to speak on a Hot Topic in special education advocacy at a conference for people with ADHD. Without hesitating, I suggested that I speak about executive functioning – and not only EF – but really HOW to advocate for better supports for students that struggle with executive functioning. Let me tell you--- this is coming up in soooooo many IEP meetings in my practice. In today’s episode I give you my #1 tip for advocating for students with executive functioning struggles and even run you through some examples. 

It seems so simple. Too simple. Unbelievably simple. Like do negotiation experts actually teach this? Do law schools professors actually harp on this? Is it seriously the bane of the mediator’s existence? Friends, in today’s episode I give you THE most simple negotiation strategy. It’s one that you think you know. But wait. You might need to know more about… wait for it… what you want. Yep, in today’s podcast, we’re talking about what you want! Isn’t that what EVERYbody wants to discuss in a negotiation? Hop over and give a listen. I bet it helps you at your next IEP meeting!

In preparing for my new job, I’ve been cleaning my office building and preparing to rent it out. It’s been a real trip down memory lane. As I’ve thought about all of my favorite attorneys and advocates, a few verbs kept circulating through my mind. In today’s episode we dive into the mindset of attorneys and advocates. How do we work? What makes us tick? How do we achieve success for our clients? This will be a good one if you’ve ever considered working with or BECOMING an advocate yourself!

A Book called “The Behavior Code?” Yes please! In today’s episode, I summarize one of my most favorite books, “The Behavior Code,” by Jessica Minahan and Nancy Rappaport, MD. Let me tell you… if you read just the first 26 pages of this book, you’ll be able to talk to your child’s school team so much more effectively! And if you commit to 42 pages, you’ll also be able to suggest a super great behavior support plan for your child! Do I have your attention? This book also addresses specific strategies for students experiencing anxiety, oppositional behaviors, withdrawal, and sexualized behaviors. I give summaries for each chapter so you can decide if it’s right for you! Want more book reviews? DM me! I’m a reader, and I’m happy to deliver this info to you if you’d like it!  https://amzn.to/3r9aVud

My dad, our beloved Kurtie, often prays, “God, give me patience, and give it to me NOW!” If you’re a parent in special education, you can relate to this, and you may have whispered, “God, give me resources, and give them to me NOW!” The fact is that there are soooo many resources about special education and advocacy on-line… so many, in fact, that it is hard to determine where the best resources exist. In today’s episode I’m giving you two of my favorite, go to resources for special education advocacy. We’ll be talking about www.wrightslaw.com and www.tiescenter.org, which both provide a wealth of information. I’ll take you on a tour of the websites and tell you how I find my favorite special education resources quickly and when I need them!

One of the things I use most often in my advocacy is the United States Department of education's policy documents. These documents can help yield learn about a particular topic, turn into what a district might be thinking, and tears out certain elements of special education laws. They can be hard to find, because sometimes they get buried in websites, so in today's episode, I walk you through how to find the documents and what to do with them. Want to make your wait in car line more effective? I've got policy docs for you!

I see this trend at IEP meetings…. Teams start discussion topics like inclusion or strategies like reading interventions, and they keep getting stuck. The real reason they’re getting stuck is because the child is struggling with BEHAVIOR! If a child isn’t regulated or prepared for learning, the interventions are far less likely to work. So, parents can advocate for better behavior strategies. This is where lots of parents get stuck… “How do I advocate for better behavior strategies,” you may ask. In today’s episode I’m giving you that 15-minute “speech.” Behavior in 15 minutes or less. Now, that’s something I can sink my teeth into!!! For more support, check out prior episodes with Dr. Solandry Forte and Dr. Rachel Schwartz or my Behavior Workshop.

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[Ep. 12] FBA and Behavior Intervention Plans with Dr. Solandy Forte: https://ashleybarlowco.com/functional-behavior-assessments-and-behavior-intervention-plans-with-dr-solandy-forte/

[Ep. 62] A Chat with Rachel Schwartz on Behavior Support: https://ashleybarlowco.com/a-chat-with-rachel-schwartz-on-behavior-support/

Behavior Workshop: https://ashleybarlowco.com/product-page-behavior-workshop-workbook

I had my first IEP meeting of the school year last week, and when my client told me it was the first one that didn’t make her cry in years, it hit me. Parents feel more confident when I am at their meetings, because I help them understand the law. I take time to educate them about special education process, which is founded in the law, and intern, they gain super important confidence. In today’s episode we dive into this empowering topic.

Do you struggle to find the right balance this time of year?  Avid pool patrons, we try to squeeze out EVERY bit of fun in the sun; but we also all enjoy the routine and structure that comes with the Back to School season.  So, today we’re talking about how to find that balance – special education style.  I’ve got 5 simple tips to help you find structure AND fun in the couple of weeks… heck, months!!! 

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In this episode:

1. Plan ahead so you have more time for fun

2. ENJOY FRIDAYS!

3. Get organized

4. Download your School’s App/ Activity Calendar

5. Take Advantage of the Mornings

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Links mentioned:

https://ashleybarlowco.podia.com/back-to-school-shopping-list

Never miss out on a new episode by joining my mailing list here: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/5f43ff3f99f8080026e08ed7

https://ashleybarlowco.podia.com/getting-started-a-listening-guide-to-the-special-education-advocacy-podcast-with-ashley-barlow

Kayla Schadegg uses her platform at Mrs. Kansas International to advocate for people with Down syndrome. Do I have your attention?!  Yes, that’s right! I have a real live beauty queen on the podcast today, and we aren’t talking swimsuit fashion! Kayla will share her own birth story experience till drive her passion for teaching doctors and medical professionals about delivering disability diagnoses. She speaks to medical professionals about this topic on a regular basis and provides so many tips that might be helpful in your community. Plus, she’s just super fun to talk to, and her passion is contagious! This is a feel good, informative episode!

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Kayla is a born and raised Kansan, and an avid lover of children, pasta, and fitness. Kayla runs a children’s fitness center for a living, and in her spare time serves as a parent lead for medical advocacy trainings. As the proud mother to a gorgeous little girl with Down syndrome, Kayla knows firsthand the impact of a diagnosis experience on a young family, whether pre- or post-natal. Her advocacy journey has taken her on a unique path, and she now serves as the reigning Mrs. Kansas International. Through her platform, Strong Over Wrong, it is her mission to create a more compassionate and balanced diagnosis experience for families everywhere.