Author: Brittany Long

Parents, it’s that time of year again — winter break: the season of holiday music, steamy mugs of hot chocolate, cozy sweaters, and, ‘mom, I’m bored!’ And while a few weeks of holiday cheer sounds great in theory, it can also mean three weeks of “home time” for the kids. But guess what? It doesn’t …

At the heart of creating an effective IEP is truly understanding what makes our kids unique — strengths, goals, needs, and everything in between. But navigating assessments can feel like trying to unravel a giant spider web of information — great for Halloween decorations, but overwhelming when it’s about our kids. First, your child is …

Halloween is fast approaching — a holiday that most kids (and many adults!) look forward to as soon as the fall season comes around. Pumpkin patches, trick-or-treating, creative costumes, and of course, candy! But for some kids with disabilities, Halloween can feel more “trick” than “treat.” There is no other holiday quite like it when …

The transition out of high school and into adulthood is a big milestone for our children, and in truth, ourselves as well. While we’re watching our kiddos grow up at what feels like a mile a minute, we also have to prepare for their life post-high school — whether that includes college, day programs, or …

Did you know that Regional Center can provide support all year long — and be a great resource to supplement IEP services? It’s true! This week we’re breaking down how to get the most out of Regional Center to meet your kiddo’s needs (including the lesser known services you may not know about). While every …

While school offers plenty of opportunities for kids to have fun, engage in extracurricular activities, and learn new things, it can also feel extra vulnerable, and sometimes downright scary — especially for our kiddos. Socializing and making friends is daunting enough, but what if they’re also feeling like they just can’t fit it, or they’re …

Let’s face it, parents — navigating the world of IEPs can feel intimidating, whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned vet. IEPs contain all of our kids’ goals, accommodations, and services for the school year, and because they’re often the first document teachers see, they tend to shape the first impression teachers get of our …

Now that the school year is in full gear, it’s the perfect time to check in on our kiddos, and their IEPs. We know how much effort it takes to get your child’s IEP just right, but if it’s not being followed or doesn’t reflect their current needs, it’s not doing its job. The fall …

When it comes to related services, a question many parents find themselves asking is, ‘How do I know if my child actually NEEDS related services?’ According to special education advocate Dr. Sarah Pelangka: “It’s really a matter of knowing and understanding your child and what you know can benefit your child. Like, ‘Hey, my child …

With the start of a new school year, we all want to make sure that the supports our kiddos need to thrive in school are in place — and actually being implemented in their classrooms. This includes accommodations, which are vital in removing barriers to learning and meeting students where THEY are. Accommodations adapt HOW …