In this episode, host Beth Liesenfeld, goes over the state of Colorado’s checklist to determine SLD eligibility, specifically for dyslexia, as well as the unique challenges when determining eligibility around this learning disability. We go over each section of the checklist and interpret the language to help you prepare for all angles so you can effectively advocate for your child so they can get the help they deserve.

Topics discussed in this episode:

• How dyslexia educational labeling is more complicated than other learning disabilities
• Definition of SLD to determine eligibility 
• Interpretation of checklist to determine eligibility in the state of Colorado
• Specific tips on how to advocate for your child for eligibility
• Understanding how the system may work against you
• How to be prepared when eligibility is being determined
• The benefits of using assistive technology with children with SLD
• The importance of extra intervention for the progress of a child with SLD
• What are multi-tiered systems of support?
• Challenges parents face when advocating 

Go to theIEPlab.com/data and sign up for the next decoding IEP workshop.

If you need help finding your state’s definition or checklist, hop into the Facebook group and join us! 

Make sure to rate and review our podcast so other parents like yourselves can find us.

You can also follow us on Instagram.

If your child has a learning disability (including dyslexia) are you aware of your state's criteria for qualification? Are you also aware of the MASSIVE parent opportunity to get a truly effective IEP for your child by starting at the beginning of the process (that re-starts every 3 years?!) 

This week: Specific Learning Disability (SLD) eligibility, with Colorado state's checklist used as an example!

Shownotes: www.theIEPLab.com/episode53

The Parent IEP Lab Insiders Facebook Group

Are you curious what a great parent and school IEP team relationship looks like and what amazing things can happen because of that relationship? Gary Martinez Jr. is sharing his story about how he advocated for his daughter and took on an active role in helping his daughter both in and out of school. He talks about what he wish he knew at the start of their IEP journey, what really helped him help and advocate for his daughter, and what his relationship with the school IEP team looks like.

Shownotes: theieplab.com/episode52

Facebook group: https://urlgeni.us/facebook/IEPlab

Workshop: theieplab.com/data

Connect with Gary:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000621924877

Instagram @gary_martinez_jr 

Tik Tok  @garymartinezjr2017

Why would you need to know the eligibility checklist? It's because there are some PRIME opportuntities here to make sure your child has the right supports for EVERY area of acedemic struggle! 

We are going through the CO ASD eligibility checklist for an example, but please join the facebook group to get help to find your state's eligibility criteria!

Shownotes: www.TheIEPLab.com/episode51

Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/800719414225685/ 

Have you heard of Facilitated IEPs? Learn what they are, the process, and who can request one (free of charge) to make your next IEP feel more understandable and therefore have you advocating like a boss! Join me in learning from Katherine Rains, Special Education Regional Facilitator from the Colorado Department of Education! 

Shownotes: www.TheIEPLab.com/episode50

FREE Parent Role Cheat Sheet: www.TheIEPLab.com/parentrole 

CADRE website (one resource to see if your state has this service): https://www.cadreworks.org/ 

Have you ever wondered why if your child has a diagnosis of Autism that the school won't qualify them under that label? Have you ever been confused about the difference between a diagnosis and an educational label? Well, today, we are going through the 13 categories and talking about the big picture of those categories! 

Shownotes: www.theieplab.com/episode49

Decoding IEP Data Workshop: www.theieplab.com/data

Unsure of what paperwork from your child’s IEP to keep and what you can toss? Today we are diving into what paperwork you should keep, why it is so important to keep some of the previous IEPs, what to do if you are missing some old IEPs, and how to organize all your paperwork to make it more easily accessible to reference. Plus, I am sharing a real life example about how to utilize old IEPs to advocate for your child!

Shownotes: theieplab.com/episode48

Facebook group: https://urlgeni.us/facebook/IEPlab

Workshop: theieplab.com/data

Have you considered getting an outside tutor for your child but are unsure what that would look like with their IEP? There can be a lot of questions when thinking about getting outside support for your child. Today, Jessyka Coulter from Ace Cookie Tutoring is here to give us some insight on getting the most out of outside tutoring services.

In today’s episode, we are diving into all things tutoring with Jessyka Coulter. Jessyca is a former paraprofessional who is now using the skills and knowledge from supporting in the classroom to help students outside of school with her tutoring business. We are diving into the benefits of tutoring, the importance of solid communication between tutor and IEP team, and finding a great tutor for your child. If you are wondering if your child could benefit from an outside tutor, this is an episode you don’t want to miss!

If you are looking to get a better understanding of what you are actually reading when looking at your child’s IEP, I have an amazing resource for you! The Decoding IEP Workshop offers live q&a with me, an informative workshop, and a Facebook group for follow-up support. Not sure if you can make it? The workshop will be recorded and you will have access to it indefinitely!

Be sure to join my Facebook group, The Parent IEP Lab Insiders, to ask any questions you have, connect with other parents, and share within our amazing supportive community!

In this episode, we cover:

• Announcement: The Decoding IEP Data workshop is open for enrollment
• The benefits of receiving tutoring outside of school
• The different levels of communication between tutors and the IEP team and what a tutor’s role may be in IEP meetings
• How and where to find a good fit tutor for your child

Connect with Jessyca:

• Website
• Facebook
• Facebook Group: Teaching Teens to Love Learning
• Fall into Learning Event Signup!

Connect with Beth:

• The Parent IEP Lab Insiders Facebook Group
• Instagram @theieplab
• Website

Related Podcast Episodes and Resources:

• Free Parent IEP Role Cheat Sheet

Decoding IEP Data Workshop: www.TheIEPLab.com/data 

Moving is stressful enough and when you add on getting your kid with an IEP settled into a new school district, it can make things even harder. Good news! I’m here to help give you some tips that will make transitioning to a new school and new special education department much less stressful for you, your child, and your child’s teacher.

Today we are looking at the process of moving school districts.Whether you are moving to the neighboring district, across the state, or even across the county, I am offering some advice that can help set your child up to be receiving the best support possible in your new district. I am walking you through an overview of registering for a new school district, the importance of making contact with your new special education team as soon as possible, what to avoid when moving districts, and stories of families who moved districts so you can hear some real life examples of how to make things go smoothly for your move.  

Be sure to join my Facebook group, The Parent IEP Lab Insiders, to ask any questions you have and connect with others who have moved. We are an amazing community that is here to support you!

In this episode, we cover:

• Podcast name change announcement
• The first step to take when you are moving into a new district
• When and how to make the crucial first contact with your new district
• How to have the right approach when communicating with your special education team to best set yourself up for success no matter what district you go to
• What the IEP transfer process looks like when you move to a new district
• Real life examples of families who moved districts

Shownotes: www.TheIEPLab.com/episode46

If you’ve wondered if there’s a connection between accommodations and inclusions, you’re not going to want to miss this episode with Tim Kretchman! We are diving into what inclusion is, common barriers to inclusion, and how to find appropriate accommodations. Plus, he shares an app that helps parents and teachers individualize education for our students with IEPS!

Shownotes: theieplab.com/episode45

Decoding IEP Data Workshop signup: More Info At This Link

Facebook group: https://urlgeni.us/facebook/IEPlab