The Special Ed Strategist: Learning Disabilities & IEP (Dyslexia, Executive Function) Tips with Wendy Taylor, M.Ed., ET/P

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:

Career One Stop (career exploration resource)

ONET (career details database)

edX (MOOCs for career exploration)

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.

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

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. 

Episode 12: "What’s the Difference Between a 504 Plan and an IEP?"

Episode 22: "IEP Basics: Understanding Your Rights and the Process"

Episode 35: "Advocating for Special Education: Tips for Parents"

Need more help with your advocacy journey? Enroll in Wendy’s course: Cracking the Code to Special Education Eligibility.

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:

University Profile: Chad A. Rose

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.

Episode 12: Cyberbullying and the IEP Process – Understanding how to integrate bullying prevention into an IEP.

Episode 18: Supporting Neurodivergent Learners with Social Skills – Techniques for fostering social communication in special education.

Episode 22: Empowering Parents to Advocate in Bullying Cases – Tools for parents navigating bullying incidents involving students with disabilities.

In this episode, Wendy Taylor breaks down Section 504 and shares essential advocacy strategies to help parents and educators secure the right accommodations for students with disabilities. From understanding 504 plans to out-of-the-box accommodations and dispute resolution tips, Wendy equips listeners with practical tools to navigate the special education system effectively.

What is Section 504?: A federal law that ensures students with disabilities have equal access to education through tailored accommodations.

Creative Accommodations: Beyond extended time, consider options like flexible scheduling, chunking assignments, and alternative assessments.

Advocacy Tips: Be specific, present data, build positive relationships, and know your rights to effectively advocate for your student.

About Wendy Taylor:

Wendy Taylor is an Educational Therapist and IEP Coach with over 19 years of experience. She leads Learning Essentials, specializing in special education services like reading intervention and executive function support.

Connect with Wendy Taylor:

Resources:

Wrightslaw – Special education law and advocacy.

NDRN – Disability rights support.

Complementary Episodes:

Ep. 12: IEPs vs. 504 Plans: Key Differences

Ep. 25: Building Collaborative School Relationships

Ep. 39: Navigating the IEP Process

Thanks for listening! Like, subscribe, and share for more special education insights.

Episode Overview

In this episode of The Special Ed Strategist Podcast, host Wendy Taylor sits down with Susanna Peace Lavelle, an author, speaker, life coach, and advocate dedicated to supporting the disability community. Susanna shares her personal journey as a mother to a daughter with multiple diagnoses, including autism, and how this experience has shaped her life's work. The conversation covers the highs and lows of navigating the world of special needs parenting, strategies for advocacy, and practical advice for parents seeking support in their child’s educational journey.

About the Guest: Susanna Peace Lavelle

Susanna Peace Lavelle is an accomplished author, professional life coach, and advocate for families navigating the challenges of special needs. She founded her mission on helping parents unlock their potential while supporting their children. Susanna’s book, Your True Self Is Enough: Lessons Learned on My Journey Parenting a Child with Autism, offers insights into her experiences and the lessons learned through raising her daughter, Arizona.

We Are Brave Together: A supportive community for moms of children with special needs. Website

Regional Centers for Developmental Disabilities: Services and support available for families dealing with special needs. Visit your local regional center for more information.

Parent Support Organizations: Seek out local advocacy groups that can help guide you through the IEP process.

To expand on the topics discussed in this episode, check out these related episodes:

Episode 12: Navigating the IEP Process: From Assessment to Action – A deep dive into understanding the Individualized Education Program (IEP) and how to advocate for your child.

Episode 18: Empowering Parents in Special Education – Tips and strategies for parents to become strong advocates for their children in educational settings.

Episode 24: Building Resilience in Children with Special Needs – Techniques and approaches to help children with disabilities develop resilience and emotional strength.

For more information about Susanna Peace Lavelle, her work, or to reach out directly:

Website: https://www.susannapeacelovell.com/ 

Book: Amazon Link 

Stay connected with Wendy Taylor and explore more resources on special education:

Instagram: Learning Essentials Instagram

LinkedIn: Wendy Taylor LinkedIn

Facebook: Learning Essentials Facebook

Website: Learning Essentials Website

Review Podcast: Apple Podcasts

Listen to Podcast: The Special Ed Strategist Podcast

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or sharing it with someone who might benefit from the insights shared by Susanna and Wendy. Don't forget to subscribe to The Special Ed Strategist Podcast for more episodes that empower and inform families navigating special education.

In this solo episode of The Special Ed Strategist, Wendy Taylor dives deep into Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the critical role it plays in supporting students with disabilities. Whether you're a parent navigating a 504 Plan for the first time or an educator looking to collaborate more effectively, this episode is packed with actionable insights.

If you’re a parent or educator, this episode provides valuable advice to help you create a support system that truly benefits your child or student.

Join the Conversation! Have questions or ideas for future episodes? Drop a comment, share this episode with others, and keep advocating for the support that all students deserve. Keep strategizing, learning, and empowering!

Guest: Dr. Christine Waanders, a psychologist specializing in bullying prevention, IEP advocacy, and mental health support for children, especially those with neurodivergent needs. 

Summary:

In this episode, Dr. Christine Waanders, psychologist from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), joins Wendy Taylor to discuss the pressing issue of bullying among neurodivergent students. They explore how families and educators can support students facing social challenges and how to develop effective strategies through IEPs and social-emotional learning. Christine provides valuable tips on identifying bullying behaviors, advocating for a safe school environment, and fostering resilience in children. Additionally, she emphasizes the importance of a strong parent-school collaboration and offers advice on how families can find emotional support for themselves. Dr. Waanders is part of the Aggression and Bullying Prevention pillar of CHOP’s Center for Violence Prevention (CVP). Access CVP’s free, evidence-based “All About Bullying” handouts for parents and caregivers at https://violence.chop.edu.

Key Topics Discussed:

Important Resources:

Second Step: Social-emotional learning program used in schools to address conflict resolution and social skills

StopBullying.gov: Federal resources for bullying prevention and response strategies 

PACER's National Bullying Prevention Center: Provides resources for parents and educators to advocate against bullying

Guest Links:

Connect with Wendy Taylor:

Review the Podcast:

Welcome back to The Special Ed Strategist! In today’s episode, host Wendy Taylor breaks down everything you need to know about requesting a 504 plan for your child. Whether you’re unfamiliar with 504 plans or confused about the steps involved, Wendy offers clear guidance to help you advocate for your child and ensure they receive the support they deserve.

Love the podcast? Don’t forget to leave a review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or listen on your favorite platform.

Keep advocating for your child’s success!

Additional Resources

Key Takeaways:

Why Listen:

This episode is a must-listen for parents, teachers, and professionals seeking to support children with anxiety, ADHD, or autism. Dr. Namazi offers expert advice in an easy-to-understand, actionable way.

Resources:

Connect with Wendy:

Listen & Subscribe:

Tune in to learn actionable strategies to better support neurodivergent kids with anxiety!

Welcome to Season 4 of The Special Ed Strategist Podcast! In this episode, Wendy Taylor, your host and Special Ed Strategist, dives deep into an important but often under-discussed topic: Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. This solo episode breaks down everything you need to know about how 504 Plans differ from IEPs, how they work, and how you can effectively advocate for your child's rights in the public school system.

Key Takeaways:

Section 504 is a federal civil rights law that ensures students with disabilities receive accommodations in the general education environment, removing barriers to learning. It’s designed to prevent discrimination and allow students to have equal access to education.

While an IEP provides specialized instruction, a 504 Plan focuses solely on accommodations to support students in the general education classroom without modifying the curriculum.

Learn about the thorough evaluation process schools use to determine eligibility, which involves gathering input from multiple sources to assess if a student's disability impacts their ability to succeed in the classroom.

Wendy emphasizes the importance of starting the process with a formal written request and staying actively involved as a parent to ensure the accommodations are implemented properly.

Parents have legal rights, including participating in meetings, accessing educational records, and appealing decisions if necessary.

Dr. Jane McGuire – Expert on Section 504 and accommodations.

Dr. Michael Harris – Specialist in educational law and student rights, offering guidance on navigating the complexities of 504 plans.

Follow Wendy and Learning Essentials on social media to stay up-to-date with tips, strategies, and new episodes!

Instagram: @LearningEssentials

LinkedIn: Wendy Taylor

Facebook: Learning Essentials

Website: Learning Essentials EDU

Catch new episodes of The Special Ed Strategist wherever you listen to podcasts!

Apple Podcasts: Review the podcast

Stay informed, stay engaged, and keep advocating for your child's educational needs. Until next time!