Don't IEP Alone.
I attend IEP meetings for a living and you just can't compete with that level of crazy.
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.
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.
Don't IEP Alone.
Gotcha
Welcome, everyone! I'm Lisa Lightner, and I'm thrilled to bring you another episode of "Don't IEP Alone." Whether you're tuning in on YouTube or on different podcast platforms, or catching up with me on LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Instagram, I'm glad you're here. Don't forget to hit that subscribe button so you never miss an episode.
I want to delve into the concept of "gotcha." Four specific situations have recently come up where parents felt they had the upper hand, armed with what they believed were game-changing pieces of information. But does a gotcha moment really work in the world of IEPs?
To clarify, a gotcha is like saying, "I've got you" to surprise or frighten someone, indicating an advantage. I've encountered parents who believe they've caught their IEP team in a gotcha moment, armed with information that should lead to positive changes. However, it's crucial to understand why this approach often falls short.
Parents, understandably frustrated and feeling extra pressure in the current climate, bring forth information they believe will change the game. But having a gotcha doesn't necessarily result in the outcomes parents hope for.
Don't IEP Alone with Lisa Lightner, Special Education Advocate
Thank you for listening to this episode of Don't IEP Alone. See you next time!
Other ways I can help you with IEPs:
📊 Free IEP Data Collection Sheets
📒 Free IEP Binder for Parents
☑️ IEP Meeting Preparation Kit
🧰 IEP Toolkit for Parents
👩💻 Online Advocacy Training
🙋 Ask an Advocate your IEP Question
🧰 IEP Teacher Toolkit