Category: Special Education

Accommodation or modification? Wait… aren’t they basically the same thing? Not quite! When used well, both are meant to remove barriers so every child can access the curriculum. But accommodations and modifications aren’t the same — and that difference matters more than you might think, even when the lines get blurry in how schools apply …

A new school year means a lot of new and challenging things for our kids to navigate. What looks small from the outside can feel very big to our kids. A child who looks “fine” at school can actually be working hard to fit in, hold it together, or manage all the sensory input coming …

School just started. What if things go sideways? How do I make sure the school responds appropriately? Sound familiar? If you’re parenting a child with a disability, you may already be bracing for the call from the teacher, the IEP meeting where “behavior” takes over the conversation, or mornings when your child begs to stay …

For families of kids with disabilities, back-to-school season comes with its own checklist — AAC devices ready, safety plans in place, the whole team up to speed on health and sensory needs, teachers on board with IEPs…and the list goes on. No matter where you’re starting from, we’ve got what you need to help your …

The start of a new school year looks different for every family. For some, it’s helping a child feel comfortable with a new routine. For others, it’s introducing a new teacher, making sure accommodations are in place, finding the right adaptive tools, or preparing for a smoother transition back to school. Most families are juggling …

From first evaluations to first IEP meetings, the early years bring a lot of new experiences — and questions. If you’re unsure where to start or what support your child may qualify for, we’ve mapped out the key milestones and services from birth through kindergarten. Early intervention What is early intervention? Not sure where to …

As the end of the school year sneaks up, it feels like everyone is suddenly in full end-of-year scramble to make sure nothing important gets left behind. If you’re feeling a little stressed about getting your child’s IEP finalized, signed, and truly buttoned up before summer break, or you’re navigating a tricky transition to a …

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and if there’s one thing many parents know, it’s this: supporting our kids’ mental and emotional health can feel complicated — especially when your child has a disability. Is this a tough day? A tough season? Or something bigger? When your child processes, communicates, or expresses emotions differently, it …

How to support autistic and 2e kids April is Autism Acceptance Month! If you’re parenting an autistic child, chances are you’re already thinking about what helps your child feel comfortable in their own skin, connect with others, and move through the world in a way that keeps them regulated (and true to themselves!). And then …

Most parents these days wouldn’t dream of reliving their tween or teen years. Instead, here we are, guiding our kids through them. And these years don’t come with a roadmap (we wish!). You’re not just navigating puberty and big emotional shifts (which are a lot on their own), but also the added layer of disability, …