Author: Lindsay Crain

When a child is struggling with their mental or emotional health, it can be hard — and sometimes utterly terrifying — for parents to know how to help (and with added complications when they also have a developmental disability). How do we tell the difference between a crisis situation and emotions that are a normal …

5 tips for navigating post-IEP and closing the year with confidence It’s a busy time for IEP teams and parents alike as we work toward closing this school year! Are you worried about completing and signing the IEP before the last day of school? What if you don’t agree with the IEP but want to …

Does your child participate in a counseling or social skills group at school? Maybe they have a speech therapist they work with once a week? Or perhaps they have a 1:1 aide in the classroom? These are called related services in an IEP — services and specialized supports that a child needs to meet their …

As we prepare to transition to summer, we have a lot on our minds when it comes to our kiddos’ time off school. How do we plan for a summer filled with fun and growth that allows our kids to have a successful, accessible, social summer? This week, we’re exploring how to get the most …

Most parents send their kids off to school every day hoping that they’re having fun, making friends, and learning. For our kids, this may involve some extra steps to ensure they have access to every aspect of the school experience. The IEP process allows us to eliminate barriers to full participation in school — whether …

When you have a child with an IEP, goal setting is going to be an essential (not to mention nerve-wracking) part of the process. We’ve all been there — staring down the list of goals in our kid’s IEP, wondering if they’re good, bad, or just a hot mess. Whether they’re academic, behavioral, functional, social, …

Learn about LRE, inclusion, and common myths You and your IEP team have discussed all the services your child needs in school, from therapies to aides to assistive technology, and more. What comes next? Where these services will be provided. In an IEP, this is called placement, and it comes hand-in-hand with the least restrictive …

For many families and students, the IEP assessment process can make it feel like their whole existence is being tested by someone who might not understand how they think and learn. However, a thorough assessment of your child is the key to creating a strong IEP that accurately reflects their goals, strengths, and areas of …

Here’s what to know about making the leap Transitions, big leaps, rites of passage — call it what you will, there’s no denying that these huge milestones in our kids’ lives can feel both exciting and terrifying for everyone involved. Whether your child is moving from preschool to kindergarten, or to middle, high school, or …

Don’t miss out on these disability-friendly programs in the SoCal area It may be the beginning of spring, but now is the perfect time for summer camp registration! You probably have a million things on your plate, but summer is right around the corner, and finding ways to fill in the looming months ahead of …