As NICU parents, we are trained to track milestones and be hypervigilant about our child’s development. And as we enroll our NICU grads in school, it can feel vulnerable to trust other individuals to be as vigilant as we are! Which is why we are really excited to have an in-depth conversation with Catherine Whitcher, M.Ed of Master IEP Coach about Individual Education Plans (IEPs) and how to partner with our child’s teachers and education professionals.

In this episode we cover:

• The basics of an IEP and why they are important
• Early signs or signals that parents of NICU graduates can be on the lookout for, which might suggest their child could benefit from having an IEP
• Tips on how parents can communicate effectively with schools and advocate for their child's needs
• Common challenges or misconceptions that parents often face when it comes to IEPs, and how can they overcome these obstacles
• Encouragement for NICU families who might be navigating the world of IEPs for the first time

We hope any NICU parent feeling overwhelmed about navigating the educational system feels empowered and encouraged throughout this episode. You can do this!

Head here for the episode transcription.

About Catherine Whitcher M.Ed and Master IEP Coach

Catherine Whitcher, MEd, founder and CEO of Master IEP Coach®, experienced the struggles of the Special Education system both as a certified teacher and as a sister to a wonderful man with Down syndrome. For the past 25 years, she has been creating nationwide change in special education by assisting parents and teachers in developing IEPs that work in the real world. Catherine currently leads the largest independent organization nationwide of parents and teachers working together to build better special education outcomes for the real world. She’s an expert in conflict resolution and leadership at the IEP table while always keeping the focus on preparing every child for further education, employment, and independent living.

** This podcast episode is not an attempt to practice medicine or provide medical advice. All information, content, and material on this website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice, diagnosis or treatment.

Master IEP Resources:

Website | Podcast | Email

To get connected with DNM:

Website | Private Facebook Group | Instagram

Head here for the episode transcription.

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