Category: Special Education

"SMART" IEP goals are great… but there’s a better IEP in town, and it’s got a lot to say. With IEP season in full swing, we’re setting our sights on what actually makes an IEP great: it’s strength-based and has goals that are standards-aligned, generative, pivotal, inclusive, and truly meaningful for your child. That’s a ...

What counts as a “related service” in an IEP — and how do you know if your child is getting the right support? In this episode, Dr. Sarah Pelangka, special education advocate and owner of KnowIEPs, breaks down services like speech therapy, OT, 1:1 aides, AAC, counseling, and more. She explains how these supports are determined ...

General education classroom, special education classroom, homeschool, non-public school, private school, residential placement, independent study — there are a lot of placement options, and figuring out what’s right for your child can feel overwhelming (and often super emotional), especially if you and the IEP team don’t see eye to eye. If you’re weighing options, asking ...

Communication plays a role in every part of our kids’ lives — how they share needs, connect with others, express themselves, and access learning. When communication doesn’t look like spoken words, families are often left navigating big questions about literacy, school support, and long-term independence. Maybe you’ve been told that augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) ...

Transitions and milestones have a way of sneaking up on us, even when we know they’re coming. One day you’re finally feeling like you’re getting into the groove of your child’s school routine, and the next you’re being asked to consider what’s next – a new grade level, a new school, new classmates, teachers, and ...

In this episode of Undivided Voices, Dr. Sarah Pelangka, special education advocate and owner of KnowIEPs, breaks down one of the most important—and often overwhelming—parts of the special education process: assessments. Dr. Pelangka explains how assessments work, how they’re administered, how to read and understand results, and what families can do if they disagree with the ...

Most parents don’t walk into IEP meetings looking for red flags. 🚩 We’re just trying to get through the day and make sure our kids are supported by an IEP that does what it’s supposed to. But sometimes the biggest problems show up quietly: a goal that’s too vague, progress that isn’t really progress, or ...

Ever wonder what really happens behind closed doors in special education? 👀 IEP meetings are just the tip of the iceberg—and there’s a lot families don’t always hear. In this episode, we’re joined by Daphne Zacky Bold, a licensed educational psychologist, educational consultant, and longtime special education advocate with nearly 20 years of experience supporting ...

Ever walked out of an IEP meeting with pages of paperwork and documents to review wondering, Does this have everything my child actually needs? How do I know what's missing? or Why does this feel SO hard??? We’ve been here. Even when you know an IEP is necessary, the process of preparing documents, sitting in ...

Once you’ve done all your IEP prep work, how do you make sure the IEP meeting itself goes smoothly and covers all your concerns? Kick off season 2 of our podcast with Undivided Non-Attorney Education Advocate Lisa Carey, who shares all her tips and advice for parents. Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, or ...