Don't IEP Alone.
Inspired by her own son with disabilities, Lisa Lightner is an award-winning blogger and advocate. She has previously worked for her county's Arc and has served on the Boards of Directors for several disability organizations.
Currently, she is her county's chairperson for the Right to Education Task Force, a federally decreed group set up in 1971 to ensure that all children in Pennsylvania had the opportunity to an education.
When not attending IEP meetings with families or lobbying in Harrisburg and DC for disability rights, she can be found on the web at her IEP advice blog, A Day in our Shoes. She is known for her practical, realistic and implementable advice for parents.
Warning: I've been told I have a Philly accent. I don't hear it. Also, I curse. It's something I'm working on as far as personal development. So please don't be put off. I'm trying.
đź“ŁPreorder my book on Amazon,
Episodes
200 episodes
Why "Gotcha!" is not an effective advocacy strategy.
You can be right.You can even prove you’re right.That doesn’t mean you’ll get what your child needs.Read instead of listen: Why “Gotcha” Doesn’t Win IEP Meetings.relat...
What's the Most Imporant Part of the IEP?
If you have limited time and just want to know what to focus on quickly, which section of the IEP is the most important?
Avoiding the February IEP Freakout: Proactive Tips for Parents
In this episode of Don't IEP Alone, Lisa Lightner shares why February can be a stressful month for IEP parents, what causes the annual "February freakout," and proactive steps you can take now to better advocate for your child. Get essential ad...
Navigating Family Boundaries: Grief, Politics, and Advocacy
In this special episode of "Don't IEP Alone," Lisa Lightner shares her personal journey of setting boundaries with family amid political and social divides, especially as a special needs parent and advocate. She discusses the grief of lost ...
New Year, Fresh IEP Data: How to Track Progress and Advocate Effectively
In this episode of Don't IEP Alone, host Lisa Lightner shares actionable tips for parents on IEP data collection after the holiday break. Learn how to track skills at home, compare school reports, and use documentation to advocate for your chil...
They Used a REED to Skip Testing? Yeah, Let’s Talk About That…
🧑🏼‍🤝‍🧑🏼 Every question is answered by an advocate--Join A Community of Parents and Advocates who "get it": https://village.adayinourshoes.com 🔴 IEP Transition Workshop...
They Don’t Have to Train You...Unless You Ask. 🙄
No, the School Isn’t Going to Offer Training (Unless You Demand It) 🔴 Is Your Child's IEP Working?: 👉https://dontiepalone.com/iep-progress/🚀 Sign Up for Special E...
The School Suspended Your Child. Now What?
How to Prepare for an IEP Manifestation Determination Hearing at School.🔴 Is Your Child's IEP Working?: 👉
What am I doing differently as an advocate right now? Lemme tell you...
Times are different, and challenging. Here's what I'm doing a little bit differently.
12 Tips for Special Education Parent-Teacher Conferences
Welcome to "Don't IEP Alone," the podcast that provides support and guidance for parents navigating the world of Individualized Education Programs. In today's episode, we'll be sharing 12 valuable tips for special education parent-...
As Jerry Springer would say-- take care of yourselves, and each other.
When one door closes, another opens.
ADHD Month means Executive Functioning Chats
Executive functioning-- always a popular topic.🔴 Is Your Child's IEP Working?: 👉https://dontiepalone.com/iep-progress/🚀 Sign Up for Special Education Advocacy Tra...
OSEP and OSERS Staff Elimination
Mentioned in Episode:OSERS Has Been Dismantled: What This Means for Disabled Adults and Their Families.OSEP Is Gone: What It Means for ...
Buzzword: Trust Recession
Going off topic for a moment... but trust matters!🔴 Is Your Child's IEP Working?: 👉https://dontiepalone.com/iep-progress/🚀 Sign Up for Special Education Advocacy ...
What is Explicit Instruction?
Mentioned in Episode:What is Explicit Instruction?What is Specially Designed Instr...
Is This Podcast Working? Reflections on Content, Format, and Listener Feedback
Welcome back to "Don't IEP Alone" with Lisa Lightner! In this candid episode, Lisa gets real about the behind-the-scenes struggles of podcasting, from wrestling with ADHD and perfectionism, to navigating technical hiccups and the pressure of so...
Most important part of an IEP.
If your Present Levels are wrong, everything else in the IEP will fall like dominoes.Article mentioned in video: https://adayinourshoes.com/present-levels-iep/IEP Toolkit for Parents: https://dontiepalone.com/my-parent-iep-toolk...
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Have you been asked to come pick up your child at school?
The Secret Suspension Problem: a MUST WATCH if the school is constantly calling you to come get your kid at school.Resources mentioned in video: Behavior Info for Families: https://adayinourshoes.com/tag/behavior/Behavi...
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Can you show me where it says.....
IDEA is surprisingly non-specific about a lot of special education. Here's how to advocate when you're pretty sure you've been told something incorrect....but struggle to find proof. Get your free FAPE guide here: https://birdsend....
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Good news, bad news.
I'm getting a facelift! Ha, no, not me. The podcast. Details in this episode.
Don’t IEP Alone: Essential Advocacy Tips for Today’s Unstable Education Landscape
Parents, get your free IEP binder: https://adayinourshoes.com/free-iep-binder/Get your free IEP goal tracker: https://adayinourshoes.com/iep-goal-tracker/Welcome back to Don't IEP Alone with your host, Lisa Lightner. I...
Good News and Bad News: Navigating What to Request at Your IEP Meeting
Parents, get your free IEP binder: https://adayinourshoes.com/free-iep-binder/Get your free IEP goal tracker: https://adayinourshoes.com/iep-goal-tracker/Welcome back to Don't IEP Alone with Lisa Lightner! In ...
Sustained Advocacy: The Real Secret Behind IEP Progress
Lisa Lightner is a dedicated advocate for parents navigating the IEP process. With her trusty mini desk fan by her side—an essential comfort for women of a certain age—Lisa brings warmth, humor, and understanding to her work.
From Phone Calls to Handwritten Letters: Tips to Make Legislators Listen on Issues
Welcome back to the Don't IEP Alone podcast with Lisa Lightner! In today’s episode, Lisa dives into the importance of contacting your representatives—even if you sometimes feel like your voice won’t make a difference. Drawing from her own advoc...
Reviving Parent Groups: The Old and New of Special Ed Advocacy
Welcome back to Don't IEP Alone! In this episode, host Lisa Lightner shares a heartfelt update from the thick of summer, reminding parents to communicate their children's special health needs—like temperature regulation—to their IEP te...