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

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.

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!

Alex Williams of The Anxiety Institute walks us through ALL of the essentials when it comes to navigating the complex world of mental health services. You won’t want to miss this conversation and all the wonderful and informative ways that Alex shares her expertise and knowledge with us! Discover more about mental health services in this episode.

Main Discussion Points:

Website: https://anxietyinstitute.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-williams-msw-82b70197/ 

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/learningessentials/ 

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendy-taylor-7106b6a6/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TutoringLE 

Website: www.LearningEssentialsEDU.com

Ashley Barlow, a special education attorney based in Kentucky, joins Wendy Taylor on the podcast. Ashley brings a unique perspective to the discussion, drawing from her experience as a teacher, attorney, parent of a child with Down syndrome, and someone with a physical disability.

Main Discussion Points:

Website: https://ashleybarlowco.com/#/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleybarlowco/ 

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/learningessentials/ 

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendy-taylor-7106b6a6/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TutoringLE 

Website: www.LearningEssentialsEDU.com

In this episode of The Special Ed Strategist, we delve into the invaluable role of organizational systems and collaborative partnerships in navigating the complexities of the special education system. Author and advocate Kelley Coleman joins us to share her insights and strategies for parents seeking to streamline their journey and advocate effectively for their child's needs.

Key Takeaways:

Conclusion:

By implementing these strategies, parents can navigate the special education system more effectively, reduce overwhelm, and advocate successfully for their child's needs. Building strong partnerships with the school team can lead to a more supportive and inclusive educational environment, prioritizing the child's growth and success.

Join us in our next episode as we continue to explore valuable insights and strategies for navigating the world of special education.

Book: Everything No One Tells You About Parenting a Disabled Child

Website: https://www.kelleycoleman.com/ 

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/learningessentials/ 

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendy-taylor-7106b6a6/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TutoringLE 

Website: www.LearningEssentialsEDU.com

Follow along with Wendy today as she covers the four P's to IEP's!

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/learningessentials/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendy-taylor-7106b6a6/

Website: www.LearningEssentialsEDU.com

Review Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-special-ed-strategist-podcast-with-wendy-taylor-m-ed-et-p/id1639953041

In this episode, Dr. Matt Zakreski joins Wendy Taylor to discuss effective ways parents can support their gifted or twice-exceptional children. Dr. Matt emphasizes the importance of proactive skill-building and future planning, encouraging parents to take action from where they are now. He also explores the concept of asynchrony in gifted children's development and how understanding this can help parents provide targeted support.

Supporting gifted or twice-exceptional children requires a proactive and collaborative approach. By understanding their unique developmental profile, setting realistic goals, and collaborating with educators, parents can create a nurturing environment that supports their child's strengths and addresses their areas of need effectively. Understanding and addressing the asynchrony in their development is crucial for providing comprehensive support.

https://www.theneurodiversitycollective.com/

Follow Wendy Taylor, M.Ed., ET/P and The Special Ed Strategist Podcast for more insights on supporting children with unique learning needs.

Instagram - @LearningEssentials

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendy-taylor-7106b6a6/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TutoringLE 

Website: www.LearningEssentialsEDU.com

Review Podcast 

In this episode of "The Special Ed Strategist," host Wendy Taylor explores the vital collaboration between special education and general education teachers in supporting students with unique learning needs. Joined by guest Rebekah Poe, an expert with experience in both realms, they delve into the significance of teamwork, parental empowerment in the IEP process, and the transformative role of technology in education.

Teacher Collaboration: Rebekah emphasizes the essential nature of collaboration between special education and general education teachers. She highlights the lack of training for general education teachers in supporting students with IEPs and stresses the importance of providing them with guidance and understanding of best practices.

Success Story: Rebekah shares a success story where effective collaboration between teachers resulted in a positive outcome for a student. By working together and sharing data, they successfully transitioned a student from a self-contained classroom to a fully inclusive setting, benefiting both academically and socially.

Technology Integration: The episode discusses the use of technology to support differentiation, accommodations, and modifications for students. Rebekah highlights how technology, such as accessibility features on Chromebooks, can offer students independence and autonomy in their learning.

Parental Empowerment: Rebekah stresses the vital role parents play in the IEP process for their child. She emphasizes the importance of parents feeling empowered to ask questions and actively participate in IEP meetings, ensuring decisions align with their child's needs and goals.

In conclusion, the episode underscores the critical role of collaboration, parental empowerment, and technology in enhancing education for students with unique learning needs. Through teamwork, informed parental involvement, and the effective use of technology, educators can ensure that every student receives the support and accommodations they need to succeed academically and socially.

www.instagram.com/rebekahpoeteaching

www.facebook.com/rebekahpoeteaching

www.RebekahPoeTeaching.com

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/learningessentials/ 

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendy-taylor-7106b6a6/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TutoringLE 

Website: www.LearningEssentialsEDU.com

Review Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-special-ed-strategist-podcast-with-wendy-taylor-m-ed-et-p/id1639953041