The Undivided Blog

Celebrate Autism Acceptance Month with us! April is Autism Acceptance Month! Kim Sinclair, parent and executive director of the Autism Society of Los Angeles, says, “Acceptance is the mindset that provides inclusion. You can be aware of autism, but whether you take the next step and accept it, and include those individuals in the education …

What are IEP goals made of? Sugar, spice, and…everything nice? If only it was that easy, right? In reality, the goal-setting process of an IEP — while essential in prioritizing the skills our kids need to access the general education curriculum — can feel pretty complicated. As parents, our input is essential when it comes …

“Special education isn’t a place.” We can’t say this enough. Special education was never supposed to be a place. Or a classroom. Or a reason to discriminate. It consists of services and supports that allow children with disabilities to learn alongside their peers in a way that works for them. Inclusion is about learning and …

For most of us, IEPs are not a fun process. We might feel a lot of pressure, some intimidation, a fair amount of confusion, and possibly some mistrust. All of this stems from the reality that as bureaucratic as IEPs may feel, they are vitally important. Preparation is key to feeling a little less lost …

Finding the “right” educational path and placement for our kids can stir up a lot of emotions for some families. Where can my child thrive, learn, and be appreciated for who they are? How do I advocate for a placement that ACTUALLY meets my child’s needs? What exactly is a “specialized” private school? Where do …

Summer is a few months away, which means we’re on the hunt for summer camps! Traditional camps don’t always take our kids’ extra support needs into account, so we’ve rounded up disability-friendly summer camps in California. Some of these camps are designed just for our kiddos while others invite campers of all abilities to participate. …

The IEP assessment process, while crucial to creating more individualized IEPs, can often seem like a magnifying glass zooming in on our kids’ strengths and challenges (and everything in between). But assessments are one of the primary ways IEP teams can better understand the unique educational needs of kids with disabilities, and a thorough assessment …

Getting ready to send our kiddos off to preschool can feel both exciting and daunting. This is the time most of us first experience what it means to explore placement options, inclusion, and the great and powerful…IEP. As parents, we want to start our kids’ educational journey right, but navigating their first IEPs can often …

Navigating an extended hospital stay for your child, and figuring out what to do when you finally get home, can be incredibly tough for anyone. And when your child is medically complex, it can add a whole new layer of stress and uncertainty — especially when you’re trying to process a new diagnosis, navigate hospital …

With IEP season in full swing, we’re setting our sights on strength-based IEPs and how to develop one using a whole-child, strengths-first approach. But what exactly is a strength-based IEP? Is it just another buzzword or do kids actually need one? (Yes, they do!) If you’ve sat through an IEP meeting before, or read through …