The Collaborative IEP
Ashley Barlow
Welcome to The Collaborative IEP podcast! This business has been in my heart for so many years, and I so excited to share it with you. In these podcasts we’ll discuss all things special education – from eligibility to implementation of the IEP. We’ll talk about basic concepts and dive deeper into specific topics. We’ll talk about self-care for caregivers and professionals that support children on IEPs. We’ll discuss best practices, behavior, therapies, and more!
True Inclusion One Step At a Time with Kayla Coburn
You know what wasn't on my BINGO card for 2025? An Anti-Inclusion Narrative! Yet, we are where we are (or if you shop at Fresh Thyme, I yam what I yam... but I digress), and that's why I'm happy to have the opportunity to share my recent conversation with our friend, Kayla Coburn, with you all! Kayla has so many wonderful resources @inclusionstarts now to help us carve out inclusive opportunities, particularly at school. And what's great about Kayla's approach is that it doesn't rely specifi
Dyslexia Download with Megan Pinchback
In this episode of The Collaborative IEP Podcast, I sit down with Megan Pinchback, a highly trained CALT dyslexia therapist and owner of Dyslexia on Demand, to talk all things dyslexia intervention—from the gold standard in tutor and teacher training to the hallmarks of effective reading instruction. We also dive into important dyslexia stats, the benefits of online tutoring, and what really works for struggling readers.Plus, Megan is speaking at my upcoming conference, so be sure to tune in for
Big Changes Ahead? What’s Happening with the U.S. Department of Education and What It Means for Special Education
Series: Education on the Line: Special Education Policy WatchThe Trump administration has indicated that its plan at the beginning of its administration is to flood citizens with a barrage of information and a tidal wave of change to invoke overwhelm, allowing them to force policy and legislative changes on us before we see them coming. My dispute resolution body and soul tell me that when the going gets information-heavy and high-paced, the effective advocates get reasonable, rational, and th
Boundless Hope for Every Child with Kim Botto
You're definitely not alone if you love a disabled person and have struggled to find a church community. You're also not alone is finding community ANYwhere is hard! If that's you, you're going to love this interview with my friend, Kim Botto. Kim's book, Boundless Hope for Every Child, is so insightful and helpful. I mean, how could you not love the tagline... Help for the Hurting, Compassion for the Misunderstood, Belonging for the Lonely. Kim's one of those people who not only "gets it"
A Trip Through IDEA: Sections 1402-1409-OSEP, Dear Colleague Letters, Policy Docs, and More!
We're working our way, section by section, through IDEA, our federal law. After today's quick podcast, you will be able to say you have been taught Subchapter I/ Part A inside and out!!! Today we'll work through several sections, some admittedly kind of perfunctory, but I try to tell you why they matter to YOU! And then we'll learn about some of my favorite tools ever, Dear Colleague Letters, Policy Documents, and other Guidance!!!
A Trip Through IDEA: Section 1401 - What the Definitions Teach Us
In this episode, we’re diving into one of the most important but often overlooked sections of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA): the definitions. We’ll explore why these definitions are more than just legal jargon—they’re the foundation of your advocacy efforts. You’ll learn how understanding key terms like “FAPE,” “least restrictive environment,” and “assistive technology” can empower you to navigate IEP meetings with confidence, ensure your child gets the services they’re
A Trip Through IDEA: Section 1400- Congress’s Findings and Purpose
In this brand-new series, we're diving deep into the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to break it down in simple, actionable terms. We are literally going section by section through the law, and I'll try my best to make it easy to understanding, stopping to provide advocacy ideas along the way. Whether you're a parent, teacher, or advocate, you'll gain clarity on the law and practical tools to use it effectively in IEP advocacy. And if you're in the Membership, stay tuned!!!
Interroception While I Make Coffee
In today's episode I'm giving you to down low on Interroception, the sense of feeling your feelings and accessing skills and tools to ameliorate them when they're uncomfortable. This is part of a series where I give you little snippets of helpful information in short bursts- similar to how I do it in the IEP Guru Academy products! Over half of my IEP meetings deal with Interroception, at least in small part, so this topic is a can't miss, super duper helpful one! Enjoy!
Real Talk: Disappointment and Determination
This week on the podcast, I’m getting real with you. I’ll share my honest reflections on the IEP Guru Academy launch, why it didn’t go as planned, and what I’ve learned about the challenges of advocacy in special education.Spoiler alert- it was a bummer. But here’s the thing—I’m not staying in disappointment. Instead, I’m using it to inspire a fresh start for all of us in 2025. Let’s talk about why advocacy feels hard, why it’s so worth it, and how we can tackle it together with hope and intent
Interoception 101 While I Paint My Nails!!!
Want to learn about interoception in 20 minutes or less? I’m breaking it down for you in this episode – literally faster than it takes me to paint my nails! 💅 Interoception is the ability to sense what's going on inside our bodies – think hunger, thirst, or even when we need to use the bathroom. It’s a critical skill, especially for kids with sensory processing challenges, and understanding it can make a huge difference when advocating for supports at the IEP table. This episode packs a lot of
Behavior 101 in 12 Minutes or Less
Behavior. It’s the buzzword at so many IEP meetings, yet it’s often misunderstood, overcomplicated or downright ignored. Today, I’m breaking it down in just 12 minutes—or less! You’ll get my behavior 'ditty'—a quick, memorable way to think about and address behavior effectively. Why? Because this perspective is a game-changer in IEP meetings and school discussions, and I want you to see just how much you can learn in a short time. It’s a sneak peek at the kind of value-packed strategies I share
IQ Testing, Disability Categories, and Inclusion: What You Need to Know
How does IQ testing affect your child’s eligibility for special education services, their disability category under IDEA, and their placement in the least restrictive environment (LRE)? In this episode, we break it all down.We’ll explore the purpose of IQ testing, its limitations, and how it fits into the broader picture of determining your child’s unique needs. You’ll learn how disability categories influence placement decisions and why IQ scores should never be the sole factor in deciding your
Bridging the Gap: How Healthy Debate Strengthens IEP Teams
Conflict is often seen as something to avoid, but what if it’s the key to progress? In this episode, we explore how productive conflict can strengthen relationships, spark creativity, and lead to better outcomes—both in everyday life and at the IEP table.We'll share real-life examples of how disagreements, when handled constructively, have driven innovation, resolved long-standing issues, and built stronger teams. Then, we’ll dive into how embracing healthy debate can transform IEP meetings. You
Introducing the IEP Guru Academy
Are you ready to tackle IEP meetings with confidence and ease? 💪 In this week’s episode, I’m introducing something that’s going to change the game for parents and teachers: the IEP Guru Academy Videos!What you’ll learn in this episode:✨ How these short, focused videos meet YOUR needs.✨ The practical strategies, workbooks, and tools they offer.✨ Why they’re perfect for busy parents and educators who want quick, effective solutions. 💡 Imagine walking into your next IEP meeting feeling prepared,
Big news! We’re rebranding!
We’re rebranding! After much thought and heart, I'm thrilled to introduce The Collaborative IEP—a brand that better reflects our mission to empower and support families and educators in navigating the IEP process together. 💪💙And that’s not all! To kick off this new chapter, I’m launching the IEP Guru Academy videos—short, affordable, and jam-packed with practical strategies designed to make your IEP advocacy journey easier. Each video is a powerful tool, helping you feel more prepared and conf
Supporting Complex Interfering Behaviors With Dr. Rachel Schwartz
We wrap up our 200th episode celebration today with one of your favorite repeat guests, Dr. Rachel Schwartz, and man did we ever have fun! Dr. Rachel and I set out with a loose idea of discussion topics, but what you really get in this episode is a discussion between someone who supports IEP teams in supporting students' behavior and an advocate who sees the trends when things go south. Dr. Rachel provides so many insights and strategies for common behavioral issues at schools - both how to su
Reckoning with IQ testing with author and mother, Pepper Stettler
When Pepper Stettler's daughter, Louisa, was first entering school, she was IQ tested. Pepper didn't think much of it... until the results came in. What happened next prompted Pepper to go on a years-long journey of research and discovery. Pepper assimilated the results of that into a book called A Measure of Intelligence: One Mother's Reckoning with the IQ Test, and boy is it ever good! In the book, Pepper explores not only the history of IQ testing but also the methodology of testing, the
A Student's Success Story with Mandi Jamison
As we wrap up this 200th celebration In this inspiring episode, I sit down with my friend Mandi Jamison, whose daughter, Clara, has defied expectations. Clara, who has Down syndrome, was a varsity cheerleader and is now pursuing her dreams as a model. Mandi shares her journey as a dedicated advocate, working tirelessly to secure Clara's inclusion in extracurricular activities, academics, and cheerleading. Together, we discuss the challenges, triumphs, and the powerful impact of advocacy in creat
Navigating PDA and More with Our Fave, Dr. Taylor Day
Does your child experience demand avoidance? This episode is all about Pathological Demand Avoidance/Persistent Drive for Autonomy, and our guest is one of your favorites, not to mention MINE! Dr. Taylor Day is my go to on demand avoidance and drive or autonomy, and in this episode we dive a little deeper into PDA and what it means to support students that experience it. Taylor talks us through this concept of "non-negotiables," "shoulds," and "yets," one of the best pieces of behavior advice I
What To Ask Your School and How with Special Education Assessment Reports with April Rehrig
As we continue to celebrate our 200th episode, we welcome school-psych-turned-advocate, April Rehrig to the pod this week! April's been on the pod twice before, and you all have loved her. I think that's because she's a) so incredibly knowledgeable and b) really good at explaining hard stuff. Because April's a school psych, she's really good at special education eligibility and reading reports. That's why we had her talk about what to ask your school people about special education evaluation
Beyond the Basics of Potty Training with Molly Johnson
Whenever we have a potty training expert come to our local Down syndrome association, spots fill up instantly. That's one of the reasons I was so drawn to Molly Johnson's account on IG years ago. The other reason: She's just amazing! We hosted Molly back in Episode 136, and her episode was so popular that we invited her back to go Beyond the Basics in potty training! Molly makes things just so simple and reasonable. I know you'll love this episode. Molly Johnson is an autism consultant, w
200th Episode Celebration
It's time to celebrate—200 episodes of Special Education Advocacy with Ashley Barlow! In this special milestone episode, I’m answering YOUR questions! You all made me think, reflect, and grow, and I couldn’t be more grateful. 💙 Thank you to each and every one of you for tuning in, sharing your stories, and being such loyal listeners. It’s been an incredible journey, and I’m so honored to be part of your advocacy journey! Here’s to many more episodes together! 🎧✨In today’s episode, I refere
Where Do IEP Teams Start With Behaviors with Dr. Annie McLaughlin
Nobody has time for complicated, convoluted conversations about behavior supports at schools. When students struggle with behaviors, all members of IEP teams are left feeling frustrated, concerned, and exhausted. IEP teams need no-nonsense, effective, and efficient help supporting their students behaviorally, and the good news is that Dr. Annie McLaughlin is in this world. When I asked Dr. Annie where IEP teams should start with Behavior Supports, she said, "Believing that the child is trying
When Inclusion Doesn't Work With Heather Avis from The Lucky Few
My friend, Heather Avis is a fierce advocate from whom we can all learn something. When she and I planned this episode, we chatted about what happens when families (spoiler alert: like hers) have to make the hard decision to access a more restrictive/less inclusive setting for their children at school. We had so much content planned... but then we hit record and we had an even better discussion about so many things that weigh on parents' and educators' hearts. What is the true definition of
Preparing to Meet Your Attorney to Advocate for the First Time
Repeat after me... Time is Money! Most attorneys and advocates charge by the hour, and regardless of their hourly rate, we'd all like more Benjamins in our pockets. If you're seeing an attorney or advocate, you're also likely struggling to get your child the right IEP/504 supports, which is horrendously important. And your kids are so, so deserving. Getting just the right information to your special education attorney or advocate in just the right amount of time is therefore a bit of science
You Don't Have to Do Special Education Alone
Did you know that people are more liked if they ask for help? There's tons of research behind that. I think it's normal to dive deep into ourselves - to go down all of the rabbit holes - to stick our heads in the sand - to withdraw- especially when the burden of advocating for our kids with disabilities increases. But the fact remains that we don't have to do it alone... and our outcomes will undoubtedly be better if we have strong community along the way. In today's episode, I brainstorm to
Igniting the Fire: Finding Inspiration for your Advocacy
Sometimes you just can't even. Am I right?! We've all been there... we know we should be more involved in our children's IEP teams and to collaborate more with them, but gosh, we are just so checked out. It's okay, friends. It happens to the best of us, and it's likely a super normal thing to occur. In today's episode I talk about a lull in my motivation recently, as well as what I did to find inspiration again. Then, we apply it to our special education advocacy efforts. Feeling blah abo
Tried and True Tips for Dealing With School Anxiety
There are two types of kids- those that are excited to go back to school and those that aren't! While I completely believe that we can hold space for allllllll sorts of emotions around school attendance, I also know that society doesn't really make kids that experience school refusal feel "normal." If it did, the #1 question asked of kids in August would be, "Are you feeling kinda blah about going back to school?" We all know the #1 thing asked of your kids, though, is related to their "excit
Future Forward IEP Advocacy
The time to start thinking about the Transition to Adulthood is Yesterday. Womp womp! I'm so sorry! In this episode I'll scare the socks off of you... Just kidding! But we'll talk about things to *think* about NOW, no matter you child's age, which will help you prepare them for adulthood. You'll hear a story about my own dinner table that prompted the idea for this episode, too!
Before You Write a Goal
In today's episode we talk about six things I think you should have, know, analyze, and ask prior to writing annual IEP goals. The list is short, simple, and definitely not intimidating, but it will undoubtedly make a big difference in your next IEP meeting.
The Inclusion Workshop
Inclusion is probably the special education topic for which I'm hired as an attorney the most often. It's definitely the topic about which my network calls for help. Several years ago, I started recording myself while talking to advocates and attorneys about inclusion, because as I talked to them I'd sometimes come up with efficient, wise statements that were helpful in advocacy. Eventually I took all of that content and made one of my favorite resources, The Inclusion Workshop. In today's e
The IEP Binder
Wouldn't it be amazing if you had someone else to build your IEP Binder? Fill-in-the-blank guides to communicate with your school, the straight and narrow on legal and educational topics, and tutorials on navigating things like inclusion and behavior interventions are coming your way in the ABClub IEP Binder! In today's episode I walk you through some of the resources I have to help you build your binder! Looking to get organized this summer? I got you!
Using Decodable Readers
My Facebook memories have been making me feel guilty as of late. Now that I'm elbow deep in Science of Reading and Orton Gillinghma, I watch some of the things I used to do with Jack and cringe. In today's episode I talk to you a little about our past in reading and then offer the solution of decodable readers. I hope this helps you make your summer work effective and simply better!!! Transcript: https://share.descript.com/view/MnsAP72LUow
Employment and Transition with Lisa Hernandez
At this year's COPAA conference I met attorney, Lisa Hernandez, at the coffee bar, and in about 3 sentences, she blew my mind on the topic of employment of people with disabilities. I took her card and invited her on the podcast immediately! If your kid is transition-aged (yes, that's ALL of you in my opinion), you're going to LOVE thinking about employment through this lens. Lisa continued to enlighten me throughout this episode, and I think I'll go back and listen to it again with you all
COPAA Conversations: Part 03, David Jefferson
Today we wrap up the COPAA series with a really great conversation with David Jefferson, the President of the Board of Directors. David's journey to advocacy from the corporate world is super interesting and relatable, and you'll learn how he built a large advocacy business in a few short years. David's got a heart for advocacy - and the right tools to get results for his clients. If you've ever thought about advocacy, this episode is for you!!!! Transcript: https://share.descript.com/view/k
COPAA Conversations: Part 02, Amy Bonn
If you've ever wanted to crawl inside my brain to have a conversation on special education advocacy, law, and practice, here's your chance. Amy Bonn, consulting attorney, with COPAA, speaks. my. language. Amy and I have a hearty conversation about our jobs as special education attorneys, and it's just too good! Sometimes while I record with guests, I write down the time that a particular quote happens or a quote itself. I had to stop writing on this one, because I'd filled two big Post Its
COPAA Conversations: Part 01, Denise Marshall
Today we roll out a new series on the podcast called COPAA Conversations by chatting with Denise Marshall, the CEO of the Council of Parents, Attorneys, and Advocates. COPAA’s mission is to protect and enforce the legal and civil rights of students with disabilities and their families. The organization offers trainings, an amazing conference, public policy work, legal assistance, really effective committees, and more! It's seriously my one-stop shop for information and community in my work. D
Negotiation Strategies Straight Out of Psychology
Ever feel like you need to up the ante on your Negotiation but feel stuck in how to do that? How about a tool that psychologists use to help people get to the root of their own struggles? In today's episode we're going to dive a little deeper into a concept I call "Tactical Empathy," and we'll work on validating the emotions of all of the people at the IEP table. For some people this is super intuitive. For others it isn't, which is okay, because there are a few things you can do to change t
One Crucial Mistake Parents Make In IEP Meetings
We've all been there. The IEP Meeting is going well. Everyone is smiling, the computer system is working, the child is making progress. Then... (record scratch)... things go sideways. In today's episode I talk about one common IEP Pitfall, and it's so obvious. Fortunately, the solution is also super obvious and easy, so I'll walk you through that, too! This is an easy, quick listen before your annual IEP Meeting! Like stuff like this? Consider joining our ABC Course where you get my Nego
IEP Meeting Strategy: Suggesting IEP Edits
One of my most favorite and successful strategies has very little to do with negotiation strategy. Rather, it is founded in a desire to make meetings as efficient as possible... but it has a huge positive impact. In today's episode I share my tried and true strategy of requesting a draft of an IEP prior to the meeting and then submitting written questions, comments, and ideas back to the school team prior to the meeting. This strategy was meant to simply be efficient, but it has had a huge im
Practical Arguments For Inclusion Cases
I talk to about one professional a week about an Inclusion case. Attorneys, advocates, outpatient therapists, social workers, pediatricians, and so many other professionals have questions about Inclusion. I'm not only honored that these colleagues call me, but I'm also always excited to geek out about Inclusion and to provide my insight. The only group of folks that I consistently disappoint is the attorneys. Why? Because my approach to inclusion cases is really hands-on. It's practical.
What Happens In Special Education Anyway?
I like to say that the "heart and soul" of special education is the specially designed instruction. This is the instruction that is supposed to be uniquely tailored to the child's needs. This should be drastically different from the accommodations and modifications that students on IEPs get in their general education classrooms and other environments at school. When I recently spoke on Specially Designed Instruction to parents, attorneys, and advocates, I got a ton of questions:What's the di
IEE Basics
Oh, the emails I got! I posted about IEEs in my stories a few weeks ago, and I got so many messages from professionals asking about them. I took those questions as a sign that we needed to spend a second more on IEEs here on the pod. So, let's take a step backwards and hammer in on a few basics on Individual Education Evaluations. Fact One: They're free. Fact Two: They're intended to level the playing field for parents in special education. Now that I have you attention, tune in to the who
The IEE and IQ Testing
Last week I attended the COPAA Conference, and a session on IEEs, presented by esteemed VA SPED attorney, Melissa Waugh, I had an epiphany about cognitive testing. Many of my clients that have kids with Down syndrome and other intellectual and developmental disabilities shy away from cognitive/ IQ testing. In this episode, we'll ponder (yet another) reason why this may not be a great idea. I promise to invite Melissa to be on the pod, too, because man alive, she's a wealth of information!
What is Specially Designed Instruction?
Last week I presented at COPAA, the Counsel for Parents, Attorneys, and Advocates, which is my favorite conference of the year. The topic of my presentation matches this week's podcast topic. Maybe soon I'll invite my co-presenter, the amazing Melissa Waugh, from Virginia's famous and wonderful firm, The Belkowitz Firm, on to the pod. But for now, i want to share an experience with you, and then I want to dive into the shallow end of SDI with you. It has been my recently experience that dist
Naturopathic Medicine and Your Family with Nina Marie Rueda
I’ve been on a health journey since I broke my back at the age of 15. I quickly learned that my body responds to natural remedies really, really well. While I started with massage and movement, the onset of my autoimmune symptoms in my 30s led me to exploring nutrition, acupuncture, meditation, and so many more “alternative” medicine options. That’s how I found Dr. Nina Marie Rueda, a naturopathic medicine professional, who has a wealth of information on Instagram and her websi
Everything No One Tells You About Parenting a Disabled Child with Kelley Coleman
If your brain gets overwhelmed with all of the tasks, and if you soul likes lists, this episode is for you! Diagnosis, Therapies, Advocacy, Inclusion, Caregiving... Oh My! In Kelley Coleman's new book, which shares the name of this episode, she shares insights, including advice from experts, on each of those topics (and several others). Her advice includes background information, stories of others, what worked for her own family, lists, templates, and so many other tools! This is a book you'
Katie Larew's Approach to Thriving with Dyslexia
Not only do I love where our friend, Katie Larew, lives (#SoCal)... I love EVERYthing Katie Larew shares over at Assistive Technology for Dyslexia! AT is such a wide-ranging topic, and AT supports can positively impact outcomes for SO many students. However, there remain so many myths about and impediments to getting good technological supports at school. Thank heavens for Katie! In today's episode we talk all things AT, and we also fangirl about the sun and surf!!!! Join us in this fun, li
Passionate Inclusion with Suzanne Lezotte
Sometimes you meet somehow whose life parallels yours so significantly that its hard to believe. If you've had any discussions regarding inclusion at your school, you're going to want to listen to what Suzanne Lezotte has to say in today's episode. Suzanne feels so passionate about inclusive practices that she wrote a book, "Raising Owen: An Extra-ordinary memoir on motherhood." Suzanne's outlook on inclusion, life, and motherhood is important and so relatable. Hope you love this week's epis
Winning with Kids and Lauren McKenzie
We're keeping with our theme of caregiver supports this week... but today we're also focusing on supporting our children. This week's conversation is one of my favorites of all time. Lauren McKenzie is the real deal. She's a former teacher (yes, she's taught every grade from K-12... I told ya she's the real deal), and now she's a coach that helps parents and schools navigate the messiness of behavior and regulation! Lauren's approach is straightforward, respectful, humble, and effective, and
Taming Your Stress with Bryan Holyfield
When I planned our Conference this year, I knew I wanted at least one person that could not only talk about caregiver fatigue and teacher burn out but also to provide us with strategies! And that's how I found Bryan Holyfield! Bryan's own journey as teacher-turned-trainer and his experience in helping parents that are struggling to manage all the things is so inspiring and helpful. Bryan's outlook on life is so inspiring. He believes in doing the work, celebrating the success, and listening
Inclusion Revolution: Kayla Coburn's Vision for Empowering IEP Teamwork and Crafting Inclusive Education Opportunities
Inclusion Starts Now? Yes please! That’s the name of my guest, Kayla Coburn’s, business, and it’s the name of my mantra for Jack’s Kindergarten Year! I can’t wait for you to meet special educator and consultant, Kayla Coburn, who is so passionate and similarly-minded about inclusive education. Her ideas and experiences are so valuable, and she’s doing such a wonderful job at advocating for inclusive education and supporting districts that commit to it. Kay
Passion for Progress: Dr. Tay on Behavior Supports, Pathological Demand Avoidance, and the Future of Special Education Advocacy
Ever wanna hear two people that are so passionate about special education that they sometimes lost sleep over it geek out over it?! Taylor Day’s energy for supporting students with autism is contagious – so contagious, in fact, that she is one of our very few repeat guests on the podcast, AND I’ve invited her to present at our Special Education & Advocacy Conference. In today’s episode Dr. Tay and I talk about behavior supports, Pathological Demand avoidance, the concierge model
Trauma-Informed Triumphs: A Chat with Abigail Moehringer on Transforming School Environments
Join me as I talk to Conference presenter, Abigail Moehringer of Mrs. Moe’s Modifications. Abigail and I explore Trauma Informed practices at school, behavior supports, and so much more in this short-but-power-packed episode that you are not going to want to miss. There were so many times that she was talking that I wanted to interrupt and say, “Yes!!! Me too!!!!” and I know you’ll feel the same way! Enjoy today’s episode, our first of 2024, and consider it a preview for
Helping Parents of Students on 504 Plans
In this episode, we're diving deep into the essential things parents and caregivers need to know about 504 plans for their amazing kids. 🌟 Whether you're navigating the process, advocating for your child, or ensuring a smooth transition, we've got you covered! 🤝 Tune in for expert insights, practical tips, and empowering stories. 💪 Let's empower parents to be the best advocates for their children's education!00:47 Surviving the Holiday Chaos01:53 The Power of Par
One Advocacy Tip You’ll Want in Your Toolbox
You know when you have that feeling at an IEP meeting? The one where you want to stomp your feet and say, “Listen to me!” Yep, that’s awful, isn’t it?! In today’s episode I talk about the one characteristic parents that survive that moment have. How can your attitude, your spirit, your collaboration change the vibe of your IEP meeting?! That’s what we’re talking about today! This strategy worked for me, and it’s worked for so many of my clients. Coming t
My One Tip for Getting It Done
Coming to you live (actually recorded) from my kitchen!!! And my desk. And my bathroom. With an episode on getting it all done! In today’s episode, which is the second in our Parent Series, I’m giving you one quick tip on how I pay attention to my own needs with a particular strategy. It has to do with my calendar, and you’re going to want to try it, too! Maybe this will help you this holiday season or throughout the year.00:41 The Reality of Multitasking and
Meet our Coach, Riss Rothermel
Today we welcome our outstanding tutor and Coach, Marissa Rothermel, to the podcast. Riss excels at providing behavior coaching to parents, and in this episode, she and I dive into what coaching looks like, behavior, support, parenting, ideas, and so, so much more! Riss has an energy that is contagious and uplifting, perfect for a busy holiday week!Show Notes:In this episode, host Ashley Barlow talks with guest Marissa Rothermel who works as a tutor and behavior consultant. Marissa provides in
Epiphany in Parenting with Ellen Snow
You know those moms that are so wise that you wish you could just sit at the counters and watch them, parent? Wisdom abounds with the first guest in our Parent Series, Ellen Snow! Have a listen as my friend Ellen, explains an epiphany she had in parenting her son, Henry, who has Down syndrome. This one lesson - and so many more that she shares in this episode- will relieve so much stress!!!!! Plus, Ellen is just plan fun! Transcript: https://share.descript.com/view/IGJk7uodRs6Connect with Ell
Parenting a Spicy One with Mary Van Geffen
If you don’t know Mary Van Geffen, you’re going to want to! This was the kind of conversation that I thought about for a week after! Mary Van Geffen is the international parenting coach for moms of Spicy Ones. She helps people who are highly competent in life but overwhelmed by motherhood to lean into the spiritual discipline of staying calm and cultivating warmth and tenderness all while trying to wrangle fiery future CEOs. Often this requires serious skill-building and the bal
The Art of Nurturing Coping Skills
We understand that this stage of your child's life can be especially challenging, and we're here to provide valuable insights and practical tips.👂 Listen in to discover:🌟 Effective coping strategies tailored for your child's unique needs.🌟 How to promote open communication and emotional awareness.🌟 Building resilience in the face of adversity.🌟 Practical advice for helping your child manage stress and build self-esteem.Join us for a candid conversation that's sure to empower you as a parent
Principals Taking a Hands-On Approach in IEP Meetings
In this episode, we delve into the pivotal role principals play in special education, showcasing how their leadership supercharges our IEP (Individualized Education Program) teams. 🌈✨ You know I always say that we have to go to the decision-makers… often times that’s the principal.Discover how these leaders empower our educators, parents, and students to create more inclusive, effective, and tailored support plans. 💪🏫 It’s imperative that principals encourage participation, facilitate parti
Discover the World of Neuropsychology
Join us in our latest podcast episode as we unravel the fascinating realm of neuropsychology and how it can be a lifeline for parents navigating IEPs and special education.🔬 In this episode, you'll learn:What exactly neuropsychologists do and how they assess brain-behavior connections.How they can be your allies in understanding and supporting your child's unique needs in an IEP.Key distinctions between neuropsychologists, educational psychologists, and clinical psychologists.Unlock valuable in
Fill Your Cup
The middle of the semester can only mean one thing. Parents are exhausted. Midterms and carpools and snack bags! Oh, my! I have been working on reducing my stress load recently, and one thing I have been trying to do is to find joy in the little things. And today's episode I talk about a few things that are filling my cup recently. I have experienced significant positive changes as a result of this mindfulness, so I thought I might share it with you!Transcript: https://share.descript.com/view/yv
Bell Curve 101
We’ve talked about evaluations and eligibility a fair amount here, but we’ve never talked about the Bell Curve (I don’t think!). Since it’s so, so important to understanding your child’s evaluation data, I’m giving you a Bell Curve 101 in today’s episode! 🧠 Have you ever wondered how standardized testing and bell curve distributions affect special education evaluations? This episode dives deep into this topic, shedding light on some crucial insights: 🔍 Und
Organization Hacks for Special Education Parents
Join us in this week's episode as we unpack game-changing strategies to keep your special education journey on track, stress-free, and empowering. From setting up a dedicated space to mastering communication logs, we've got you covered!In this episode, you'll discover: ✅ Proven filing and digital record-keeping techniques.✅ Tips for maintaining a communication log that works.✅ Clever tech tools to streamline your organization.
A Super Simple Negotiation Strategy
What is your WATNA and your BATNA? In today's episode well talk about a negotiation strategy, that is so simple that it is often overlooked. However, I have seen it benefit so many negotiations in incredible ways. This episode will help you navigate annual meetings, mediation, due process, and so many other decisions in your life.Transcript: https://share.descript.com/view/H3wmmHKpoYH
Unlocking Potential: Accommodations & Modifications in IEP
In this insightful episode, we dive deep into the world of Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and explore the vital role that accommodations and modifications play in helping students thrive. 💡Whether you're a parent navigating the IEP process, an educator looking for innovative strategies, or simply curious about the world of special education, this episode is packed with valuable insights and practical tips. 🤓Join us as we discuss:✅ The difference between accommodations and
Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On
I believe that song lyrics can really help us through so many of life’s experiences, and this is, of course, true of our experiences in advocating for our children in special education. I was raised on Jimmy Buffett music and married a fellow Parrothead, so Buffett is a constant in the Barlow household. In today’s episode, I pay tribute to Jimmy by connecting some of his powerful lyrics to special education advocacy and sharing a little Key West love with you!Transcript: https://shar
No Time to Prepare for That IEP Meeting? I Got You!
Listen. Life happens. Sure, you have the best intentions to spend a few minutes every day during the two weeks leading up to your IEP meeting, preparing for the meeting, but let's face it. You don't always have time. And today's episode we are talking about a few tips for those circumstances. And just to really hammer in the point, I deliver this podcast on my way to an IEP meeting for which I have not prepared! Life in the trenches with Ashley Barlow company!Transcript: https://share.descript.c
Parent Collaboration to Promote Inclusion
🎙️ Join us on our latest podcast episode, "Parent Collaboration to Promote Inclusion," as we explore powerful ways parents can make a difference in promoting inclusion. From insightful conversations to practical tips, we're here to empower you to be a force for positive change.🌟 Today we'll delve into:🤝 Collaborative strategies for parents and educators to create an inclusive atmosphere📚 Navigating the world of diverse learning needs with grace and understanding🌍&n
Episode 150: Ashley Unscripted: The 150th Episode Special!
Hey, fabulous listeners! You might've done a double-take, thinking, "Wait, that's not Ashley's voice!" and you'd be right! I'm Rachel Starr, the Creative Director at ABCo and the mastermind behind today's plot twist! 😜For 149 episodes, Ashley's been our captain, steering this ship with her wisdom, guiding us on this awesome mission to jazz up the world of special education and advocacy. But today? Today, we're at Episode 150, baby! And I'm hijacking the mic to put our dear Captain Ashley in the
Inclusion vs Integration: A Huge Difference
👉 Are you passionate about inclusivity? 👈We’re back from our little summer break with a new episode on Inclusivity and Integration. Join me as we delve into the heart of the matter, exploring the crucial differences between inclusion and integration in the realm of special education. 🤝💡 🏢 Inclusion: Embracing ALL Abilities!Discover how inclusion fosters an educational environment where every child, regardless of their unique abilities, feels valued
Core Principles to Inclusive Education
In this episode, we explore the core principles of inclusive education. In the context of education, inclusion refers to the practice of providing equal access to quality education within a general education setting for all students, regardless of their abilities, backgrounds, or differences. We delve into the belief that every student has the right to learn, participate, and thrive alongside their peers in an inclusive and supportive environment. Join us as we discuss the importance of inclusiv
Building and Accessing a School Community In the Summer
Welcome to the world of Cs at abC! Clever, isn't it? 🧩 In today's podcast episode, we're honing in on two of my favorite C words - Communication and Community. We'll be exploring how you can stay connected with your school community during the summer and the benefits of doing so! ☀️🏫And for those for whom the school community isn't a viable option, we've got you covered too! We'll delve into ways to create and access other meaningful communities for your family. 🤝🌐Every community we engage w
Celebrations…and Teenagers. A Happy Birthday to Jack!
It's a birthday week around here… And tomorrow, our Jackman will be a TEENAGER! This is equally terrifying and exciting! In today’s episode, I’ll share some reflections on Jack’s pre-teen years, some lessons I’ve learned, and some things to celebrate! Thanks for letting me share so much about our educational journey and my most amazing kid with you! Transcript: https://share.descript.com/view/krX6kFgz6hK
A No Fail Negotiation Strategy I Learned from Jack
I learn something from Jack Barlow almost every day of my life. The simple wisdom that he emulates is such a blessing to our family and community. In today’s episode, I will share with you. One lesson I have learned from Jack that is so effective and advocacy. Coming to you live from my living room this is an episode. You will not want to miss! Learn a little more about the Jackman and a little more about advocacy and today’s episode.Transcript: https://share.descript.com/view/OoUxUQQS6AY
Phonological Awareness
In today's episode, we take a fascinating journey into the world of Phonological Awareness, a crucial skill often considered as the ability to 'play with language.' Our goal is to demystify this complex topic for parents, educators, and lifelong learners, emphasizing its significant role in literacy development and cognitive function. We delve into the scientific intricacies of phonetics, syllables, and rhyme, offering insights on early identification of reading difficulties and effective suppor
The Power of Yes!
No, no, no! Goodness, do we ever get tired of our children saying, “No!” I thought it was bad with toddlers… now I have (almost) two teen-agers, and I’d love to hear “Yes” just once a week!!!! It's hard to be on the other end of “no,” isn’t it?In today’s quick episode, we’re talking about the power of saying “yes,” both on the giving and receiving ends. I’ll walk you through how saying, “yes” to IEP team and school team from time to time can and will improve your advoca
Unleashing the Awesome Surprises of Online Tutoring with the Marvelous Michelle Breitenbach!
Need more time in your week?Tired of running kids to activities and therapies?Wanna just enjoy your neighborhood pool or sit by a ball field?Want new, meaningful, insanely beneficial ways to connect with your child?Imagine the surprise of Michelle Breitenbach when she hesitantly agreed to tutor all of her students on-line and subsequently got the above results! Imagine Michelle’s surprise when the pandemic happened, and she realized there was a whole landscape of on-line tutors and students nee
Why The Science of Reading Works
You’ve heard about - and maybe even asked for - a multi-sensory, evidence-based reading program, but what does that really mean? In this webinar we’ll talk about how a multi-sensory approach looks in practice and why it works. We’ll even explore a few common curricula and try to differentiate between them! Transcript: https://share.descript.com/view/PA5fzhLwpIJ
Killing Two Birds - SOR (Science Of Reading)
Last week we scratched the surface on the Science of Reading. Last week I also dropped all the balls, and I had to cancel a free webinar on the Science of Reading. So, this week’s podcast is basically a deeper dive into SOR – and it’s exactly what I would present at the webinar. We’re killing two birds with the SOR--- a podcast and a webinar in one!Transcript: https://share.descript.com/view/a8P9LUVyXIO
The Science of Reading: Is It For Me?
Science is a systematic and logical approach to discovering how the natural world works. So, the Science of Reading is the result of a systematic and logical approach to how we learn to READ! Wanna know more? Join me in today’s webinar where we discuss the Science of Reading. We’ll talk about what this research shows, and we’ll break it down so you can choose and advocate for the right programming for your child. Transcript: https://share.descript.com/view/O6xeJYsDp
Hand-Writing Supports with Dyslexia Guru, Michelle Morgan
Today we welcome Michelle Morgan, SLP and dyslexia guru, to the podcast! Michelle is walking us through a hand-writing program she designed, giving us lots of tips and information on how hand-writing supports the process of learning to read. Michelle was our guest in Season2, Episode 77 and you all loved it! I can’t wait for you to listen to this episode!Transcript: https://share.descript.com/view/GsPmcgQWsMNMeet my guest: Michelle Morgan is a Speech-Language Pathologist specializing in dysle
Neurodiversity Affirming Practice at Therapy and Beyond with Rosemarie Griffin
Today we welcome Rosemarie Griffin of ABA Speech, and we talk about a super hot topic: how – and why- we can incorporate neurodiversity affirming practices into our therapy, tutoring, and even play sessions with children. We’re talking about how to incorporate sensory strategies, behavior supports, and other practices that affirm a child’s profile, establish a relationship, and help to regulate them so that they’re not only ready to learn but empowered to learn. Rosemarie has all sor
Potty Training and Behavior with Molly Johnson
I know from my time on non-profit boards that Potty Training is always a popular topic amongst parents. That’s why I couldn’t believe that it had taken me this long to invite Molly Johnson from @theautismconsultant onto the pod! Molly is a special educator with a Masters in Special Education and Administration, who started a consulting business while still teaching. She now owns and operates the Autism Consultant full time and offers two digital courses, a monthly members
Why Multi-Sensory Reading Programs Work with Hanna Stroud
Of all the educators on IG that I follow, I think I’m the biggest fangirl of Hanna at My Literacy Space. Over the past few years, I’ve so enjoyed what Hanna has put into their space – creative ways to teach literacy, helpful information about the science of reading, and a health smattering of fun! In today’s podcast, I discuss why multi-sensory reading programs work with Hanna. If you’ve found yourself knowing that you child needs multi-sensory reading programs but not knowing
Reading Simplified with Marnie Ginsburg
Marnie Ginsberg, Founder of Reading Simplified, is a reading difficulties detective who streamlines the science and art of reading instruction so teachers can rapidly learn effective techniques that help students accelerate to grade level and beyond. She also helps translate the latest understandings from science into practical, easy-to-implement activities. She’s my guest on the podcast today, and we’re talking all things Science of Reading!Transcript: https://share.descript.com/view/UM
What's Your IEP Meeting Personality Type?
What's Your IEP Meeting Personality Type? Are you Frazzled Frances, the mom that's always running behind, completely capable of advocating more but overwhelmed with all that life throws at you? Or could you be Courteous Carol, a "yes man" through and through. Perhaps you'll be Hesitant Hannah, who distrusts the sweet Kindergarten teacher and has research to back up everything she says. Of course, you could be Organized Olive, who's got it all together and knows exactly how things are going
3 Tips for Preparing for an IEP Meeting
Don’t stress before your annual IEP meeting. I’ve got three simple tips that will help you prepare and feel calm before your meeting! These are all things you’ve heard before - but infused with experience from hundreds of IEP meetings I’ve attended! Transcript: https://share.descript.com/view/RMNWzDtN2DX
Preparing For Your Annual IEP Meeting
It’s IEP Season, and that can only mean one thing. Parents in special education are freaking out!!!! In today’s episode, I talk about why the annual meeting is just like any other meeting, give you tips for preparing for the meeting, and also give you four ideas or strategies that you may employ at this year’s annual meeting in order to get more out of the special education process for your student. It’s a balance of “shake things up” and “same old, same old!” Hot and col
Celebrating the Unexpected and Undergoing Transformation with Jillian Benfield
Chances are you’ve experienced the Unexpected, and if you’ve stuck around here in the make-lemonade place that I’ve created, you have probably embraced the Unexpected as a Gift. Today I welcome author, blogger, and speaker Jillian Benfield, whose relatable book, “The Gift of the Unexpected,” explores how she unpacked her son’s Down syndrome diagnosis during a time of transition in her life. My favorite part is when Jillian and I discuss her explanation of how we undergo hardshi
Forget Me Not: Inclusion in the Classroom with Oliver and Hilda Bernier
In today’s episode we talk with Olivier and Hilda Bernier about their documentary, Forget Me Not, and man alive, are your advocacy bones going to tremble! The documentary features their story regarding their son’s education. As 3-year-old Emilio prepares to start school, his family finds itself embroiled in a challenge all too common for children with disabilities - to secure the right to an inclusive education. Cornered in one of the most segregated education systems, New York City
Busting Burn Out at Schools with Brent Duka
What’s woodworking have to do with education? What’s teaching have to do with mental health? What do woodworking, teacher, mental health, and darn good people have in common? Brent Duka, that’s what! Today’s podcast guest, Brent Duka of @classroomandwoodwork, is a classroom teacher who found a passion for woodworking during the pandemic. Over the course of time, he found that his new hobby was helping him cope with the many stresses of teaching during a pandemic, an
Behavior Supports at School with Dr. Annie McLaughlin
Dr. Annie McLaughlin joins us today to talk about behavior supports at school. We’ll learn what behavior analysts do, how they work in schools, and how the involvement of a behavioral analyst can be an asset in an IEP team. Dr. Annie talks and talk and walks the walk… she works as a special education advocate in Maryland and has so much valuable experience. Even if you’re in the choir, you’ll enjoy hearing her preach!!! Transcript: https://share.descript.com/view/mi03opFv1Pv__M
Building a Collaborative IEP Team - Focusing on the TEAM!
When you think “IEP team,” do you think “teamwork?” The question is also preposterous! But it doesn’t have to be. Congress called it an IEP team and required the participation of certain individuals. Certainly, they wanted us to act as a real, functional team. We know that when IEP teams actually work as teams, they’re far more effective, which means the student sees far better results. In this session, you’ll learn strategies to help your team function as a T
An Advocate’s Journey
The #1 question people ask me after consultations is, “How do I become an advocate?” Tons of parents and educators see the important work of advocacy and get curious! How do advocates become advocates? Just like that!!! Today we’ll hear from Lisa Richer, an advocate that has developed a system called RIPE Ideas, about her advocacy journey! I bet you’ll be able to picture yourself in her shoes! Transcript: https://share.descript.com/view/ENLvwgxpkzL__Meet
Red Flags at the IEP Table
Do you ever feel lonely as a parent in the disability community? Ever feel like the whole world is against you? Just me? JK- I know we all feel that isolation and stress, and I hope this week’s podcast will be a huge help. This week I’m talking to my friend, Shemica Allen, special education advocate, about Red Flags at the IEP Table. This episode will help you understand that it not “just you” and also give you tips to navigate common issues at the IEP table and beyond!&
Ignite the Fire
You might call it filling your cup. I igniting the fire! Networking with people in my community, attending conferences, getting dumped on. These are all reminders of why we do our advocacy. Keeping the children that we love at the center of our advocacy is really the key, and sometimes we just need a little reminder. In today’s episode, we talk about that fire within us and how to fuel it.Transcript: https://share.descript.com/view/AxVpJHnJTl9_______3rd Annual Special Education and Advocacy Conf
Getting an Evaluation for Your Child
The first episode I recorded with school-psych-turned-advocate, April Rehrig, has been on my Top Ten list since it launched. It makes sense then that I had her back as my first-ever repeat guest! April delivers again in this episode! Join us as we talk about how to get an evaluation for your child. No, we are not just talking about eligibility and that initial request for an evaluation. We are talking about specific language to use, information to provide, the value of the evaluation itself, and
Think inclusion with Tim Villegas
Thinking inclusively is not only a mindset for today’s podcast guest; it’s his job. Tim Villegas joins me on today’s episode to talk about inclusive education. Tim founded a company called Think Inclusive, and it’s now the blog for the Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education. Tim and I will chat about what “inclusion” really means, how to get a more inclusive environment, and much, much more!Transcript: https://share.descript.com/view/pqJAMMNwyn3Meet the Guest: Tim Villegas is director of
3 Foundational Skills for Every Special Education Advocate
Every special education advocate has uttered the sentence, “I should go to law school;” and every special education attorney has considered a Masters Degree in special education. Why? Because we all acknowledge the 3 foundational skills that all effective advocates – parents, teachers, and other professionals alike – need. In today’s episode I’ll talk about those three skills and give you ideas on where to find them! If you’re ready to start the year by perfecting your ad
Trends In Special Education Advocacy in 2022
This episode is a 2022 Year in Review!!! I’ll walk you through a few trends that I saw in my own office and in the larger special education advocacy community. I’ll also introduce you to my 2023 Free Virtual Conference AND a new product that we’re rolling out in 2023!!! Transcript: https://share.descript.com/view/EzpZ6Ia9aSY 2023 Conference: https://ashleybarlowco.com/conference-2023 ABClub Membership: https://ashleybarlowco.com/abclub-membership
Early Intervention with Eryn Yolac
Today we welcome Erin Yolac, an educational advocate from sunny California! Erin and I explore her advocacy journey through the lens of her own educational experiences. Erin will talk directly to parents, particularly those whose children have been diagnosed with dyslexia and/or ADHD, and will give lots of tips and empathy to them. We’ll talk about the importance of early intervention and how to ensure that students have access to it! Enjoy!!!Transcript: https://share.des
Ten Tips to Surviving the Holidays with your Neurodiverse Family: Adding Structure to Unstructured Time
Christmas Chaos! It’s so normal and relatable. But wouldn’t you rather relate to people with a peaceful heart and mind?! In today’s episode, I give you TEN (yes, ten) tips for surviving the holidays with your neurodiverse family, but let me tell you… these tips support you are caregivers, as well as your other family members, too! Our first ever BONUS episode is a good one indeed! Transcript: https://share.descript.com/view/8tN8W4Wgx2E
Special Education Advocacy from the Inside Out
Beth Liesenfeld was an OT that provided school-based supports for years. She observed families that got what they wanted and deserved and families that didn’t. She made notes of her observations and started helping families advocate more effectively with her experiences and observations! Join Beth and me for a co-hosted/co-published podcast on Advocacy from the Inside Out. We’ll talk about how parents can best advocate… and so much more! Transcript: https://share.de
Better Speech? Yes Please!
Better Speech? Yes please! In today’s episode, I talk with Lenora Edwards, a speech and language therapist, about online speech therapy and language development. You’ll learn how language develops in children as they grow from babies into school-aged children and how to facilitate language as a parent and teacher. Lenora provides virtual speech and language therapy at Better Speech, and she tells us how to access their services. Transcript: https://share.descript.com/vie
A Picture of Worth 1000 Words: Progress Monitoring Visuals
You keep the data. You report the data. You’re all about the data. But they still don’t listen! Have you ever tried to capitulate your child’s data in a chart or graph? This simple advocacy strategy can be super helpful and might just make a difference in your child’s next IEP meeting. In today’s episode I’ll walk you through an Excel tutorial… wait! I promise it’ll be helpful! And it won’t be terribly painful. Welcome back! Okay, I’ll show you h
Common Progress Monitoring Pitfalls
In today’s episode of the podcast, I will review for common pitfalls in progress monitoring. I grabbed these pitfalls from an article, but they are definitely things that I have seen in my practice repeatedly. Of course, you know I will give you strategies and solutions so you can avoid the pitfalls, and address them if errors occur.
Data. Not the end of the story.
In today’s episode, we are going to talk about all of the ancillary information that can impact data. This information is super important to understand and to consider when evaluating data. Incoming weeks we will talk about what to do with this information and how it can, impact, advocacy, instruction, and more. Data feels a little like Bruno. We should probably talk about it, but nobody wants to. Let’s make it easy starting this week.
Using Your Parenting Skills to Advocate
Conflict adverse? This episode is for you! A few weeks ago, I was sitting in an IEP meeting and used a negotiation strategy that I’d just used in parenting Jack. I realized the irony… our children TEACH us skills that help us advocate for THEM! In today’s episode we’re talking about two skills that you’ve probably developed in parenting your children that will immensely enhance your advocacy skills.
Facing the Challenge of Advocating for Executive Functioning Supports
A couple weeks ago, I was asked to speak on a Hot Topic in special education advocacy at a conference for people with ADHD. Without hesitating, I suggested that I speak about executive functioning – and not only EF – but really HOW to advocate for better supports for students that struggle with executive functioning. Let me tell you--- this is coming up in soooooo many IEP meetings in my practice. In today’s episode I give you my #1 tip for advocating for students with executive f
The Most Simple Negotiation Strategy
It seems so simple. Too simple. Unbelievably simple. Like do negotiation experts actually teach this? Do law schools professors actually harp on this? Is it seriously the bane of the mediator’s existence? Friends, in today’s episode I give you THE most simple negotiation strategy. It’s one that you think you know. But wait. You might need to know more about… wait for it… what you want. Yep, in today’s podcast, we’re talking about what you want!&n
The Mindset of Advocates
In preparing for my new job, I’ve been cleaning my office building and preparing to rent it out. It’s been a real trip down memory lane. As I’ve thought about all of my favorite attorneys and advocates, a few verbs kept circulating through my mind. In today’s episode we dive into the mindset of attorneys and advocates. How do we work? What makes us tick? How do we achieve success for our clients? This will be a good one if you’ve ever considered working with or BECOMING an advocate yourse
A Code to Behavior
A Book called “The Behavior Code?” Yes please! In today’s episode, I summarize one of my most favorite books, “The Behavior Code,” by Jessica Minahan and Nancy Rappaport, MD. Let me tell you… if you read just the first 26 pages of this book, you’ll be able to talk to your child’s school team so much more effectively! And if you commit to 42 pages, you’ll also be able to suggest a super great behavior support plan for your child! Do I have your attention? This book a
Two Website You Must Know
My dad, our beloved Kurtie, often prays, “God, give me patience, and give it to me NOW!” If you’re a parent in special education, you can relate to this, and you may have whispered, “God, give me resources, and give them to me NOW!” The fact is that there are soooo many resources about special education and advocacy on-line… so many, in fact, that it is hard to determine where the best resources exist. In today’s episode I’m giving you two of my favorite, go to resources for special education
How to find the policy documents you NEED!
One of the things I use most often in my advocacy is the United States Department of education's policy documents. These documents can help yield learn about a particular topic, turn into what a district might be thinking, and tears out certain elements of special education laws. They can be hard to find, because sometimes they get buried in websites, so in today's episode, I walk you through how to find the documents and what to do with them. Want to make your wait in car line more effective? I
An Elevator Speech on Behavior for your IEP Meetings
I see this trend at IEP meetings…. Teams start discussion topics like inclusion or strategies like reading interventions, and they keep getting stuck. The real reason they’re getting stuck is because the child is struggling with BEHAVIOR! If a child isn’t regulated or prepared for learning, the interventions are far less likely to work. So, parents can advocate for better behavior strategies. This is where lots of parents get stuck… “How do I advocate for better behavior strategies,” you may
Becoming Empowered During The Special Education Process
I had my first IEP meeting of the school year last week, and when my client told me it was the first one that didn’t make her cry in years, it hit me. Parents feel more confident when I am at their meetings, because I help them understand the law. I take time to educate them about special education process, which is founded in the law, and intern, they gain super important confidence. In today’s episode we dive into this empowering topic.
Back to The Pool--- Err, School
Do you struggle to find the right balance this time of year? Avid pool patrons, we try to squeeze out EVERY bit of fun in the sun; but we also all enjoy the routine and structure that comes with the Back to School season. So, today we’re talking about how to find that balance – special education style. I’ve got 5 simple tips to help you find structure AND fun in the couple of weeks… heck, months!!! ___In this episode:1. Plan ahead so you have more time for fun 2. ENJOY FRI
Kayla Schadegg, Mrs. Kansas International, Advocate for People with Down Syndrome
Kayla Schadegg uses her platform at Mrs. Kansas International to advocate for people with Down syndrome. Do I have your attention?! Yes, that’s right! I have a real live beauty queen on the podcast today, and we aren’t talking swimsuit fashion! Kayla will share her own birth story experience till drive her passion for teaching doctors and medical professionals about delivering disability diagnoses. She speaks to medical professionals about this topic on a regular basis and provides so many
Five Big Lessons I’ve Learned in 100 Episodes
Happy 100th Episode, ABC friends!!! If we were in a school, we’d likely be dressing as 100-year-olds, complete with walkers and bushy eyebrows! In today’s milestone episode, I’m sharing with you 5 lessons that I’ve learned over the last two years as we’ve shared experiences here at Ashley Barlow Co and on the podcast. I share the story of how ABCo was conceptualized (during a riveting viewing of Frozen 2), take you on the journey of how we developed our two video training cours
Three Tips for your All About Me Book
The turning of the calendar page to August is a good reminder to start working on that Back to School Communication! Have you updated your All About Me Book? In today’s episode I give three super easy tips to help you advocate as effectively as possible with an All About Me Book! Need a template? Download one HERE! https://ashleybarlowco.podia.com/all-about-me-books
From Teacher to Advocate: The Story of an ABC Student
I can’t wait to share with you Holly’s story. Whether you’re a parent, a teacher, or already an advocate, you’ll find some way to connect with Holly Johnson, today’s guest, and her sunny outlook! Holly is an elementary school special education teacher, who learned a lot about life during the COVID-19 pandemic, took the ABC Course and is on her way to becoming a special education advocate. Holly and I talk remote learning, pandemic parenting, teacher burn out, and all things adv
A discussion about 34 CFR 300.116
In today’s short, sweet episode we look at 34 CFR 300.116, a regulation that teases out inclusion really nicely and gives us a LOT of help in arguing for inclusion. When I faced my own inclusion “discussion” with Jack’s IEP team, I first read the LAW (what’s in IDEA), but it didn’t help much. The REGULATIONS “tease out,” or explain, the law. This reg contains many factors that the IEP team needs to consider in making placement decisions. I think it’s so helpful that I hav
Advocating From Your Gut
You know when your intuition just tells you something is right, but you have a hard time advocating? It’s like you know something is right, but you cannot really articulate it, so you say a lot of words but never really get to the point. I have clients come in with this issue often, and there is one strategy I always give them. In today’s podcast we will talk about this problem, as well as the strategy that has worked for so many of my clients and myself. Believe me! As somebody who uses a lot o
The Ins and Outs of Tutoring with Kelsey Frobeen
Have you ever wondered if you should get tutoring for your child that is on an IEP or 504 Plan? How do you find a tutor? How do you know if they’re a good fit? What kinds of tutoring models are out there? We’ll answer all of your tutoring question in today’s episode… yes, even that one. My guest, Kelsey Frobeen, and I will even talk about the risk that tutoring will take some responsibility off of the school. _____Kelsey Frobeen is the Program Manager of Learn
All About Visuals with Tara Tuchel of Autism Little Learners
Visual Schedules Made Easy?! Yes please! If anyone has ever told you that your child would benefit from visuals, this episode is for you! Right? This episode is for EVERYone… because we can ALL benefit from visuals (hello, grocery list)! Today I’m talking to the one and only Tara Tuchel of Autism Little Learners, creator of the online course called “Visuals Made Easy” about all things visuals. Tara, a licensed SLP and early childhood teacher to children with a
3 Common Issues Arising in Advocacy in the 21-22 School Year
In today’s episode, I discuss 3 topics/ issues that have arisen frequently in my special education law practice and that advocates and attorneys across the country are discussing more this school year. We’ll talk about the issues, as well as solutions and strategies for each one!
The one and only Jack Barlow!!!!!
If you can’t beat them, join them! I set an alarm to record early one morning over Memorial Day weekend, but my sweet guy had other plans… Jack woke up, too! He interrupted my first ten attempts at recording, sooooo this week’s guest is the most special of all—- The Jackman!!!! Jack and I talk all things special education - LRE, evaluations, MDRs…. Just Kidding! This is an episode full of complete and udder randomness - a joke, a burp, a fake toot, a list of toys, a littl
The Difference Between Private and School Evaluations with Dr. Brandi Tanner
You’re not going to want to miss this episode. It’s so full of great information and advocacy tips – not just for people exploring eligibility but also for people considering private evaluations, working with outside clinicians, and for anyone that writes an IEP goal. Yes, yes, that’s YOU!!!! In today’s episode, I talk to psychologist Dr. Brandi Tanner, about evaluations – the difference between what you get at school and what you get in a private clinic, what to do with the results, how often t
Three Things You Should Do Before Summer
Sorry. It’s May. Graduations, Sports, Awards Ceremonies, Gardening, … You know the To Do list of Craziness that the month of May brings! Now I’m adding to the list! Buuuuuuuttttt – Can you think ahead to August and September for just a moment? Remember how it’s nutty, too?! I have just a few ideas – just a few things- that you could do NOW to make the Fall less stressful AND – most importantly – to make the transition to the next school year smoother for your child.
Demand Letters 101
One of the negotiation strategies I use most frequently is a Demand Letter. In today’s super quick episode I introduce you to the Demand Letter and talk a little bit about how to write them. Once you master the Demand Letter, your advocacy will undoubtedly skyrocket with results! Today I share with you the little “ditty” I normally give clients when I recommend that they or I write a Demand Letter.
The Autism Helper, Sasha Long
Join me for this week’s podcast, a discussion with Sasha Long, BCBA, MA, the Autism Helper. Sasha works as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, a consultant, and a writer. She founded @theautismhelper, where she manages a blog and lots of great content here on social media. Join us as we discuss how parents can collaborate with their IEP teams, support their children behaviorally, and navigate these uncharted post-pandemic waters. Meet My Guest:Sasha Long, BCBA, M.A., is t
Five Things Attorneys and Advocates Say In Almost Every Meeting
It started with an idea for a Freebie for you. It turned into a stream of consciousness!!! Today I share a little Behind the Scenes insight into things attorneys and advocates say often – and the reason we say them! Episode #47, “The #1 Reasons I Turn Away Clients” has yielded a lot of conversations with listeners, and when I had this podcast subject enter my head, I figured you may like it also! I am sure we drive our clients crazy with at least one of these five things, but hopefully after
“We All Relate” with Kelly Jones
Our Birth Stories. The Missed Milestones. The Comparison Game. Finding and Maintaining Child Care. Worries about Siblings. Our Jobs as Lifeguards, Therapists, Doctors, Researchers, Teachers, and General Contractors. Navigating Social Situations. Yes, yes, yes, yes, and yes!!! Can you relate to one or EVERY. SINGLE. ONE. of these issues that caretakers experience? In today’s podcast I talk with Kelly Jones, parent in our community and therapist, about the effect of care giving o
One Helpful Strategy to Use This “IEP Season”
Before I outlined today’s podcast episode, I triple checked that I hadn’t done this topic before, because it’s nearly impossible that we’re 85 episodes in, and I haven’t talked about this IEP meeting tip… The Future Planning Statement and/or Parent Interest Statement! When people hire me for a one-time consult, they almost always hear about the FPS/PIS. I recommend it almost universally! Sharing your hopes and dreams, as well as the interests behind your positions for upc
Lessons I’ve Learned In Life and As an Advocate
I’ve had a lot of perspective-shifting experiences in my life. I was seriously injured as a kid and have chronic pain and PTSD as a result, my son has Down syndrome, my husband has had cancer, and we’ve had enough family drama to write a book (who hasn’t?). Those experiences have taught me so many things, and in today’s podcast I dive a little deeper into three lessons that I’ve learned in navigating life’s twists and turns that also foray nicely into an advocacy or special education
Including Schedule Into Inclusion Arguments
I have been talking to a few friends and lots of clients about inclusion recently. I feel like this is super practical strategy helps everybody so much. I can really be a game changer at the IEP table. In today’s episode I talk about power including the students schedule and your advocacy can make a big difference.
Part of the IEP- Ashley Barlow Style
I bet you’ve gone to a billion presentations on the Parts of the IEP, but this episode approaches that from a different aspect. Are you ready? In today’s episode, I do indeed describe the different parts of the IEP, but also how they relate to one another. The important information should help you immensely in your meetings and with your advocacy.
Know Your Rights: Parent Involvement
You know when you and your bestie speak the same language? That’s how it is when Traci Brewer and I get together, especially if Parent Involvement is the topic of conversation! Traci, the executive director of the Down Syndrome Association of Central Kentucky, joins me on this week’s podcast episode to talk about Parent Involvement - why it’s important and HOW to actually get involved in your child’s school community. You’re guaranteed to pick up at least a couple pointers in this helpful, impor
Using Compassion and Boundaries in Our Advocacy
“If we really want to practice compassion, we have to start by setting boundaries and holding people accountable for their behavior.” -Brene Brown, The Gifts of Imperfection. Surely you’d agree that compassion plays a big role in special education advocacy. We want school teams to be compassionate and equitable to our children, right? Have you ever considered how to evoke compassion, empathy, and equitability? I re-read The Gifts of Imperfection over the weekend, and the
GOALLLLLS!!!!!
You’ve asked, and here’s our answer: Of course I’ll do an episode on goal writing. In today’s episode I give you my “whole picture” assessment of a well written goal, but I also narrow in for those of you who like the specifics and provide a description of the elements of a well written goal. We’ll also take a bit of time at the beginning and end of the episode to talk about the importance and conceptualization of IEP goals --- what are they, why are the needed, and what exactly do t
Is extended school year advocacy the bane of your existence?
In today’s episode a talk about one factor that IEP teams should consider which may strengthen your advocacy for extended school year services. We are talking critical life skills. This one is short and sweet but might be just what you need today.
Dyslexia Advocacy: It Doesn’t Have to Be This Hard!
It Doesn’t Have to Be This Hard, friends. That’s the name of my friend, Michelle Morgan’s, new e- book about dyslexia advocacy, and it’s also a very true statement. In today’s episode we give you a little preview of Michelle’s book, which walks parents of dyslexic children through evaluations, eligibility, development of the IEP, and progress monitoring. Michelle gives lots and lots of tips about not only what students are entitled to but also how to get services. And gue
Ready Set Goals!!!
Ready, Set, Goals!!! Special Education puns. That’s how low I am willing to sink for a podcast title. Sorry, not sorry. In today’s episode I’m giving you the ten-minute ditty on why we have goals in special education. We won’t spend a ton of time talking about how to write goals, elements of a good goal, progress monitoring, or other nitty gritty goal topics. Rather, we’re zooming out to talk about the “intent” of the goal… the reason the goal is a part of the
Everything You Need To Know About Special Education
Big celebrations happening over here at ABCo! The Cincinnati Bengals are going to the Super Bowl, our podcast has been downloaded 25,000 times, AND we’re publishing Podcast #75!!!! To celebrate, I’m bringing you a biggie: Everything You Need to Know about Special Education… Say what? In today’s episode I’m telling you the three concepts you’ll need to master (or at least familiarize yourself with) in order to effectively advocate in special education. Ready? Set. Go!!! This is a good one!New Fre
One Small Shift that Makes a Huge Difference
I call it “relentless optimism.” It is an attitude that serves me well in IEP meeting after IEP meeting. In today's episode I will share with you how this one simple mindset shift can make a huge difference in your advocacy. This tip has never been as important with teachers completely exhausted and overworked. You must BELIEVE that everyone on the table wants to help. You must BELIEVE that solutions exist and that people want to find them. You must BELIEVE that there’s a better way. You must
Community Organizations: A How To….
We talk about community a lot over here at ABCo. In this bonus episode, I chat with Angela Tyszka, advocate and speaker at this year’s SEA Conference. Angela has worked in universities, elementary, middle, and high schools; and she has extensive experience in participating in and organizing parent support organizations. We chat about the importance of this groups, as well as how to get involved and even start them. Plus, you’ll get a preview of Angela’s presentation for t
How Standardized Tests Miss the Mark on Student Performance
I’ve seen this a million times. A student’s evaluation report shows average scores - maybe with a few relative weaknesses- but the student’s performance in school is mediocre or worse. Missing assignments, disciplinary actions, and bad grades demonstrate that the student isn’t meeting his or her apparent potential in school. Confidence wanes as the student becomes frustrated. Why does this happen? April Rehrig, advocate and licensed school psychologist, walks us through the reason this happ
Tales From the Classroom - And the Parent’s Desk: A Chat With A Teacher AND a Parent
What do you want from me?!!!! That’s what my clients sometimes want to ask of their child’s teachers. Parents struggle with special education communication. What do I say? When do I communicate? Why does the teacher need some information and not need others? And do the school people talk themselves?! In today’s conversation I sit down with my friend, Rebecca Scheerer, a special education teacher who also occupies the role of parents on an IEP team.
Real Life Parallels to Special Education Advocacy
Stars: They’re just like us. Special Education: It’s just like your every day life. For many reasons, advocating for a child with in special education is intimidating, but in today’s episode, I’m making a real life analogy for you. I started running in April 2020, and over the past few months, I’d had a lot of time to think about how my improvement in running- and the tracking of it- parallels special education, advocacy, and so many of the emotions associated with both.
The Glamorous World of Goal and Evaluation Results Tracking
Now that we got your all organized last week, it's time to dive into your child's profile. Remember that the "I" in "IEP" is "individualized." I see so many IEPs that do not address the specific needs and strengths of the child. What's more - the meat of the IEP is "specially designed instruction." That's right, the IEP has to be specially tailored to meet the unique needs of the child. In this week’s episode we'll focus on empowering you with information about your child specifically and then a
Let’s Get Organized!!!
The first step to effective advocacy is organization. You have to know a child - both objectively and subjectively- in order to develop a good plan for him or her. Parents are usually experts on subjective information - how they feel about a child's diagnosis and the impact of the diagnosis on learning, how a child is doing in school, generally speaking. However, when parents share those feelings, they are often undervalued by schools. That could be because the IEP must be developed to address o
Efficiency is the Name of the Game
Today’s episode has nothing and everything to do with special education advocacy. I’m sharing a few tips that I have learned the hard way on how to be efficient- how to manage the chaos in your household so you can be more present for advocacy, work, and fun!!! I run two businesses, manage the schedules of two busy boys, volunteer at school and elsewhere, and carve out time for myself. How? Efficiency is the name of the game!
6 Things You Need Before You Write IEP Goals
You’ve probably attend a zillion and one seminars about writing IEP goals. Don’t get me wrong… I do think those are helpful. IEP goals are very important, but the goals have to be written with specific purposes. That’s why it’s so important to have very specific information before you even write the goals. In today’s episode, I’ll give you a list of 6 things I think you must have BEFORE you write IEP goals. These are likely things you already have or things you can
Gratitude
We’re talking gratitude on the podcast today. When I taught, I found the job to be somewhat thankless. I’ll explore why I think gratitude should play a role in every IEP team and how you can take the lead.
Sensory Regulation
Sensory Integration is what makes the world go ‘round in the Barlow household. You know that shirt from the 80’s that said, “If Mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.” At our house the phrase, starts, “If Jack is dysregulated, …!” In today’s episode I’m sharing sensory strategies that work for us and how we use them. I’m also explaining sensory regulation – from the perspective of a parent and a special education attorney (I’m for sure not an OT!) and giving a round up of
The Benefit of Going To School
Go. To. School. If I could give you one tip about how to advocate for your child, it would simply be to go to school. Get involved. Be present. Ask questions. This can all be done by going to school. I give a talk to organizations all over the country on Effective Parents in Special Education. My #1 tip in that presentation is to Be Involved, and that means being at school. In today’s episode, I talk to you about the benefits of being i
A Chat with Rachel Schwartz on Behavior Support
Respect. Aretha Franklin saying about it for a reason. It’s something we all deserve and something we all crave. But sometimes when we are trying to support a child behaviorally, we forget about respect. I see this so often in schools and even in homes. Rachel Schwartz is a BCBA and has a PhD in special education. She knows her stuff and brings so much information on behavior support in today’s episode. I cannot wait for you to meet her! Meet Rachel Schwartz:Rachel Schwartz, PhD, BCBA-D has
“How do you do your job? How do I get a job doing this?”
“How do you do your job? How do I get a job doing this?” If I had a dollar for every time I’ve been asked this question, well, as BNL would say, I’d be rich!!! In today’s episode, I walk you though the common paths that people take to start on a journey in special education, some of the personality traits that are important to channel as a special education advocate, and also trainings that are available to enter the field of special education advocacy! Of course, I’ll gi
What Does a Special Education Advocate Do?
Last week I interviewed two special education advocates on Instagram live, and you learned a lot about their day-to-day lives. In today’s episode, I summarize it for you. I describe exactly what an advocate does. This may help you make the decision of whether to hire an advocate to support your family or even to decide if you want to be an advocate yourself!
“When do I know if I should bring an advocate to a meeting?”
This is one of the questions I’m asked most often when I speak to disability organizations, so I’m giving you my answer in today’s episode. I think it’s always helpful to bring an advocate to a meeting, but I’ll help you decide if you need an advocate – or could benefit from one- in today’s episode.
Chatting with Military Mom, Advocate, Special Educator, Carla Wyrsch
Some people are just extraordinary at their jobs! I can’t wait for you to meet Military Mom, Special Education Advocate, and Teacher Carla Wyrsch. She’s a true student of teaching methodologies and advocacy, and when she sees a problem, she faces it head on. In today’s episode, Carla talks about an issue she has researched so much, one that affects thousands of Americans- access to special education services for our military families. We’ll talk eligibility, services, lif
Checking in on COVID learning
Holy cow! The floodgates have opened! I think I got a new referral every day last week, and SO MANY of the cases had to do with COVID-19 learning. I was astonished at some of the things people were telling me about how their children’s IEPs were serviced during last school year. It’s no surprise that children are now falling behind academically, functionally, behaviorally, and socially. In today’s episode I key you in to what the USDOE has said about IEPs during the
Transitioning to Adulthood with Renowned Advocates, Rachel and Jawanda Mast
If there was a foreign language in special education, it would be Transition to Adulthood. When IEPs start to consider a child’s transition to adulthood, things over get willy nilly. I think it’s mainly because parents – while often quite innocent about special education already – are REALLY intimidated by All Things Transition. That’s why I invited advocacy rockstars, Jawanda and Rachel Mast back on the podcast to talk about Transition to Adulthood. Rachel is an adult that has Down syndrom
Losing the Loneliness as a Parent in the Disability Community: Lessons of a Life Coach Who’s Been Where You Are
Tina B., life coach and parent in our big, beautiful disability community, delivers life lessons through storytelling. Today we wrap up our 3-part series with Tina with an episode on Losing the Loneliness. Even though you feel like you may never be alone, you also have undoubtedly experienced loneliness as a parent of a child with a disability. Do the other parents know how it feels when yours is the child that can’t read? Do they really understand that we can’t make the happy hour, because
Controlling the Chaos: Lessons of a Life Coach Who’s Been Where You Are
“When we believe that we are in control, it adds to the chaos.” Oh man, friends! You’re in for a big treat in this podcast episode, Part 2 of our 3-Part Series of Lessons of a Life Coach with Tina B. Tina and I dig deep into the chaos, how hard it is but also accepting it and even learning to be happy in the chaos. To achieve this Tina takes us through a journal prompt to help us tease out what we can control, what we can influence, and what is out of our control, thereby
Refined By Fire: Lessons of a Life Coach Who’s Been Where You Are
My 1 Year Anniversary gift to you is a podcast series with Tina Beauvais, a life coach that has been “refined through the fire,” a parent like you who took the lessons she learned as the mom to a beautiful young lady with muscular dystrophy to help athletes and parents navigate life’s struggles. When you think “Coach,” you probably think about Craig T. Nelson…. or the coach of your favorite team or maybe even of a coach that made an impact on you. Did you know that the word “coach” i
Get Trained By the Best – Advocacy Training with Rachel and Jawanda Mast
Advocate. A person who publicly supports a cause of policy. No matter the path we took to get here, we all ended at the same point: Advocate. Some of us arrived kicking and screaming. Others knew we’d be advocates from Day One. Some of us don our advocacy hats begrudgingly still while others decorate them with sequins. But we’re all advocates. And today we’re going to meet two of the best. I can’t wait for you to meet mother- daughter advocacy supe
How to Help Your Child Have A Smooth Transition Back To School
Sure, you know to buy the number two pencils and notebooks that will come home almost completely unused. You bleach the mold out of the lunchbox and make sure their toes aren’t sticking through last year‘s shoes. But do you do anything different for your children that are on IEP‘s at the beginning of the school year? Before I tell you that you should, know that I will help you! I’m not talking about spending hours and hours. But in today’s podcast I will explain a few things that you might consi
Getting Funny with Rob Snow and Nick Doyle
I hope you’re ready to laugh! Today’s guests, Rob Snow and Nick Doyle are masters at improvisation, and they had me laughing before we even hit record. Rob started a non-profit called StandUp for Downs and performs improv across the country to raise money for local Down Syndrome affiliates. A few years ago, he developed the Improvaneer Method, a program that teachers individuals with developmental disabilities improvisation skills. The program has yielded so many gains for its students- eye
Advocacy from the Teacher’s Perspective
Did you ever wonder if teachers feel compelled to advocate for their students? Ever wonder what kind of advocacy and teamwork they desire from and with parents? In today’s episode I talk with Ms. Lucy from @thealternativewaytoprek about how she runs her self-contained preschool classroom, advocacy, how she uses AAC in her classroom, and so much more! Lucy and I could go on and on about advocating for children on IEPs… oh wait, we did! Join me for this entertaining, spirit
My favorite advocacy strategy
Want to know my favorite advocacy strategy? It’s something you can do on the first day of school with very little effort, and it will give you SO much insight! The tip: Go To School. No, I don’t mean that you need to go back to school! I mean, you need to march your little feet to your child’s school. Get involved. It will teach you so much about your child’s environment- the teacher, the classroom, the peers, the discipline style and behavior supports- all of
The #1 Reason I Turn Away Cases as a Special Education Attorney
In the legal field, lines are often blurred. Attorneys are kind of famous for saying, “Well, maybe.” And, “It depends!” But there’s one kind of case that I always turn away. It’s not so much the case itself… it’s the mindset of the parents when they walk through my doors. Tune in to this week’s podcast to learn about the #1 Reason that I Turn Away Cases as a SPED attorney! Links Mentioned: The Special Education & Advocacy Lab: https://specialedadvocacylab.ashleybarlowco.com/Become an Affil
Learn About Evaluations From School-Psych-Turned-Advocate, Erin Mahaffey
If you have a child in special education, you have undoubtedly Received an educational evaluation. If you have received an educational evaluation, you have undoubtedly been confused, frustrated, and maybe even downright mad. If you have been confused, frustrated, or mad During an IEP meeting, you know how quickly a meeting can go sideways. And if you have been in a sideways meeting, you probably know the impact that can have on a child. If you have followed this Give a Mouse a Cookie example, yo
Let’s Talk About Behavior
We are getting into the nitty-gritty with behavior in this weeks episode. I keep a list of common behavior strategies that school can employ while they are waiting on the results of an FDA or an IEE for a functional behavioral assessment. I explain a few of those helpful strategies and how I advocate for them in today’s episode! Don’t forget to get on the waitlist for The Special Education & Advocacy Lab here: https://specialedadvocacylab.ashleybarlowco.com/
Advocacy 101 with Jena Wells
“Advocate” is a title all of us bear, but it may be one that brings hesitancy, overwhelm, and intimidation. Most parents and caregivers in the disability community did not set out to become advocates. Rather, our families and their special circumstances lead us to a need to advocate. So, here we are – with this new title as “advocate” and zero training. Today’s podcast guest is Jena Wells, mom to four little boys, one of whom has Down syndrome. The birth of Jena’s s
Adding Objective Arguments To Your Advocacy
The first step to effective advocacy is organization. You have to know a child - both objectively and subjectively- in order to develop a good plan for him or her. Parents are usually experts on subjective information - how they feel about a child's diagnosis and the impact of the diagnosis on learning, how a child is doing in school, generally speaking. However, when parents share those feelings, they are often undervalued by schools. That could be because the IEP must be developed to address o
Helpful Inclusion Strategies
Parents often consult with me for ideas on how their child’s school can be more inclusive. I’ve come up with a list of ideas by thinking on the spot, having great discussions with other parents and IEP teams, and doing lots and lots of reading. In today’s episode I talk about three strategies I recommend for schools that want to be more inclusive. I’ll give you the strategy AND tools parents/guardians can use to advocate for more inclusivity in their child’s school environment.
Equity, Education, and More with Heather Avis from the Lucky Few
I’m using my Oprah voice. Please welcome HEATHER AVIS! That’s right, Heather Avis of the Lucky Few joins me in this week’s episode. Heather is an author, blogger, narrative shifter, and shouter of worth.In the episode, Heather talks about how The Lucky Few community began, the importance of having such a big community, and the impact that the community is making. She has shared a lot online about her children’s educational experiences during the COVI-19 pandemic, and we b
What To Do When Meetings Go Sideways
Nobody expects IEP meetings to go sideways; yet, discussions over get rhetorical and unproductive. In today’s episode I am sharing three super practical, easy steps that will help you get discussions back on the right track. I take a lot of continuing education classes on negotiation strategy, and I read about the topic a lot. Therefore, I know formal negotiation strategy in and out. Of course, I use those strategies in my day to day practice, but sometimes practical, ever
Using USDOE Guidance in an Inclusion Argument: Letter to Autin
The United States Department of Education gives us several gifts every year. The come by way of Dear Colleague Letters and Guidance Documents. In this episode, I’m going over a Dear Colleague Letter written back in 2011 that is super helpful in inclusion/ LRE discussions with IEP teams. The letter, “Dear Autin,” gives us two really helpful quotes about educational placement and least restrictive environment. First, Letter to Autin (written 3/7/11) indicates th
It’s a Happy Hour with Ray Nelson
Ray Nelson Advocacy and IEP Coaching BioI approach advocacy and IEP coaching a little differently. Part of that is my background, which is in sales and finance. I come from a work culture designed to solve problems rather than minimize them. That means I focus more on the child and less on the conflict, which increases my success rate with schools and IEP teams. By keeping focus on the child, many times I am able to sidestep personality clashes and create a solid plan for my clients. Making educ
Three Things I Bring to an MDR
A Manifestation Determination Review is a nice safeguard in special education. IDEA and state laws require IEP teams to meet when a child with a known or suspected disability faces a cumulative of ten days of suspension in a school year. That meeting is the MDR. There are three things I always try to bring to an MDR, and I walk you through them in today’s podcast episode. When I get a client with an MDR, I always start with the evaluation report from diagnosis- the one th
Wrapping Up the School Year with Success
We met on the podcast back in September to talk about how to start off the school year with success. Why does it feel like that was five years ago?!! Anyway, today I’m talking School Year Wrap Up over on the podcast. I’ll walk you through a few easy steps you have take to ensure that you’re ready for Summer Fun and a smooth transition back into the 2021-2022 school year come August/ September. We’ll talk about collecting data from school and at home, updating your I
Identifying Executive Function Disorders In Your Child
If your child is disorganized, has a hard time regulating emotions, doesn’t self-start, and can’t ride the wave of life’s ups and downs, you may want to consider an evaluation for Executive Functioning Disorder. In today’s podcast episode we’re talking about some executive functions and signs/ symptoms that you can identify in your own child. EF is often overlooked or glossed over as being secondary to some other diagnosis like ADHD or autism, but once identified, an IEP team can dev
The Parallels Between SPED Advocacy and Real Life
Special education advocacy, while often stressful and complicated, is really akin to so many experiences in other areas of life. Somehow, though, because IEP team members, including parents, often feel overwhelmed by the content, and – frankly- because we’re all there to advocate for a child that has a disability, emotions run high at meetings, and the adults often feel overwhelmed. We did a long project over the weekend, and at some point, I was lying in a pile of dirt and thought, “This proj
Strategies You can Use at the IEP Table and Beyond During COVID 19
Now that we’re seeing light at the end of the COVID tunnel, I thought you may be ready for an updated podcast episode on special education during the pandemic. Today’s episode brings strategies you can use to effect change in your child’s special education – both now and for next school year – in light of all of the oddities the pandemic has brought on. I’ll share six strategies you can use to make some changes in your child’s IEP or to argue for compensatory education for him
Adding Empathy to Discussions at the IEP Table
“How can a heart understand the pain of another heart and still do nothing?” -Harshada Pathare.I’m constantly asked by parents, “Why can’t they just do what the law says?” My response is often, “Well, they should do what the law says, but if they do it because they’re told, it won’t be done well. The real magic happens when they follow the law, because they care.” Today’s episode is about empathy, which creates the buy-in from IEP team members that parents want and students des
Making Sense of Evaluation Reports
Evaluation reports can drive parents in special education absolutely crazy! I was talking to a friend last week, and she said that she was tempted to not even read the evaluation report! I totally empathize with parents that expressed the sentiment; however, the evaluation should be a building block for so many things in special education. In today’s episode I try to walk you through a few steps to make sense of evaluation reports. I hope it is helpful!
Allllll Things Dyslexia, Part THREE
The Grand Finale--- Join me today for PART THREE of our big dyslexia podcast. Daphne Corder, our big dyslexia guru, finishes up this three-part series with the big question. How Do We Know If They’re Doing It Right? Daphne takes us through common dyslexia interventions and how they should be implemented. You’re not going to want to miss this episode!
Allllll Things Dyslexia, Part TWO
Soooo many of you reached out with compliments on last week’s podcast with Daphne Corder. Good news… she’s back! In Part Two of our podcast, Daphne and I discuss conditions that often occur simultaneously with dyslexia. Daphne walks us through each condition, providing definitions, examples, and then the most helpful thing- what to do! Daphne’s insight on helping children with ADHD, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia is pure gold. And at the end of the episode, she g
Allllll Things Dyslexia
Daphne Corder prepared an incredible, thorough presentation for my January Conference on Dyslexia called How Do You Know If They’re Doing the Right Thing? It was over an hour and so, so intensive. The only problem: we couldn’t get the audio to play! We tried a few things after the conference to no avail, so we chose the next best thing… a podcast! This baby may be a three-parter. Daphne and I recorded for 90 minutes, and there’s still MORE! I would have condensed it
A Deep Dive into Behavioral Support with Dr. David Kuhn
I learned a lot about myself when Jack was a baby. One of the most obvious things I learned is that I’m a “why” person. I want to know the reason for stuff. I want to know the “why.” We worked on coming to midline, deliberately reaching away from midline, and crossing midline. Sure, I would have done it, because the therapists said to, but I really needed to know why. Why are we working on this skill? What does this do to help Jack? What’s going on in his brain or body that makes this so
Adding and All About Me Book to Your Advocacy at the IEP Table
You’ve probably heard me talk about All About Me Books, and you may be wondering what goes in this kind of document. In today’s podcast episode, I walk you through All About Me Books (let’s just call them AAMBs) – why to draft them, what kind of information to include, how to format them, and how to use them in your advocacy. I like to start an AAMB with a good description of the child and the way the child’s diagnoses affect the child. Then, I recommend that parents organize the additional
Three Common Mistakes Made in IEP Meetings
You’re getting the inside scoop on today’s podcast! Tales from the trenches. I sat down and thought about three common mistakes that people make in IEP meetings and am serving them up – with recommendations for doing better – for you today! The mistakes: Agreeing to decisions without the knowledge to back it up, not knowing the people on the team, and not reading “the stuff.” I’m going to walk you through each mistake with examples and then provide you with strategies for
The Fear of Conflict
In today's episode we talk about the thing everybody fears: conflict. We don't only talk about it, but I actually encourage conflict. Keep reading. It gets better. You see, I always say that conflict yields effective change. I believe in constructive discord , allowing everyone to be heard, accountability for all team members, and interest-based negotiation. Sound better than conflict? Yes! Conflict does not have to include adversaries going toe to toe, fists banging on tables, and red fac
A Success Story with Chrissy Bailey, Lab student
Meet Chrissy Baily, mom extraordinaire and graceful advocate for her adorable children, Juni and Johnnie. Chrissy had talked with representatives at her local Down syndrome organization and her state’s disability rights staff but was still putting out fires advocating for her two children. Then, her Down syndrome organization gave her a scholarship to my Special Education & Advocacy Lab. In just a little over 8 hours of content and the passion that lives in her soul, C
My Story
My divorce clients sometimes say, “I’m sorry, Ashley, but you don’t understand,” often while pushing back on some optimistic or uber-reasonable advice I’ve given. My patent response is, “You’re right. I’m not divorced, so I don’t understand your experience, but I’ve had a lot of experiences that have given me perspective. I have four broken vertebrae in my back and live in chronic pain, I have a child with a disability that affects nearly all of his life activities, and my husband has had can
Beginning A Journey In Parent Advocacy with Diana Abril
Join me on today’s podcast episode as I chat with my good friend, Diana Abril, special education attorney and parent. Diana and I not only talk about the importance of parent advocacy but also about steps that she’s taken to get started on her journey as a parent. She offers lots of tips on where to get started in a parent advocacy journey, what skills to develop (and where to find training for them), and how she tackles the inevitable mommy guilt that often accompanies parent advoca
We’re Talking Inclusion and Least Restrictive Environment with Courtney Hansen
Do you ever wonder how the experts do it? What if a poli-sci major that worked as a journalist and knew how to get the bottom of things got a Masters degree in education and then had a child with Down syndrome? How would SHE advocate for inclusion? Friends, meet Courtney Hansen, Rockstar Inclusion Advocate! Courtney joins me in this week’s episode to talk all things Inclusion. Her story as a mother to twins, one of whom has Down syndrome, is where we start, b
Three Tips for Preparing for Second Semester --- During a Pandemic
We met on the podcast at the beginning of the semester – what was that eight years ago?- to discuss Preparing for the First Semester. It felt like a more important semester but not the beast that it actually became! It seemed natural therefore to give you some suggestions for this important second semester. This week’s podcast is called “Three Tips for Preparing for Second Semester --- During a Pandemic.” We’ll first talk about looking at data from multiple sources –
3 Communication Tips That Teachers Can Use in the New Year
Communication is the name of my game! IEP teams are just that – teams. In order to work as a team through each year, and in some cases year after year, communication must flow from school to home and from home to school.
I know first-hand how difficult it is for teachers to put together all of the pieces to really understand a child. I also know how amazing it is when a teacher shows extra interest in getting to know my child. In today’s episode I marry those two concepts to describe thre
Caring for the Caregiver: Mind, Body, and Spirit
The second I met Kara Ryska, I knew I wanted to share her wisdom with you. Kara is a Life Coach that specializes in helping mothers that are raising children with special needs. The mother of a child with a brain tumor and secondary diagnosis, Kara knows first hand what it is like to manage all of the doctors’ appointments, therapies, school meetings, special instructions for child care, and the like. Her own experiences led her to her career as a Life Coach , and talking to her is like dr
Using Evaluation Data to Plan Specially Designed Instruction
You’ve probably heard me say, “Data drives instruction.” Here’s a new one for you. “Evaluation data plans specially designed instruction.” It doesn’t roll off the tongue as easily, and it means the same thing. It’s just far more specific and really, really important. There are way too many IEPs out there that aren’t specially designed to a child’s unique needs – that don’t take a child’s profile into account – that don’t consider a child’s specific strengths and wea
Managing the Overwhelm with 3 Strategies
We’ve spent a lot of time talking about the mechanics of an IEP and advocacy strategies, but we haven’t spent much time talking about parents’ and other team member’s emotions. The ability of each team member to be present and available for discussions and to actively participate is of extreme import. Parents can’t be fully present when they’re feeling overwhelmed. Whether parents are facing new diagnoses or are overwhelmed by managing the day-to-day stresses of raising a
Four Communication Tools to Facilitate Better Collaboration in IEP Teams
Communicate communicate, communicate! If you’ve been around here long enough, you know how much I preach communication on IEP teams! I really think communication is the key to collaboration. In today’s episode we go through four communication strategies that I have my clients and students use to improve IEP team collaboration. We talk about emails that I recommend families send every Sunday night to describe a child’s experiences and interests, as well as any concern
The Wright Way with THE Special Education Guru, Pete Wright
Chances are you’ve read a Wrightslaw book or attended a Wrightslaw training! I’m thrilled to host Pete Wright, THE special education guru, on today’s podcast! Pete tried a special education case, Florence County School District Four vs. Shannon Carter, before the U.S. Supreme Court in 1993 and has been famous in special education circles since! His books and trainings bring practical information to parents in language they can understand. Pete and I do a roundtable of sorts in today’s episode. W
Functional Behavior Assessments and Behavior Intervention Plans with Dr. Solandy Forte
Behavior is always a hot topic in special education. If a school struggles to support a child’s behavior, the child often struggles comprehensively. One solution is a comprehensive functional behavior assessment, which is an evaluation of the child’s trigger behaviors. Once an FBA is done, the team can develop a BIP.Dr. Solandy Forte of Milestones Behavioral Services walks us through the components to a well-written, comprehensive FBA in today’s episode. Solandy is my friend.&n
Inclusion: Teacher Certificates and Disability Category
“Your child has to have a teacher with a certificate that allows her to teach children with more significant needs.” Or, “you child has ___ disability category, so you’re child belongs in ___ room.” Ever hear that? If you have, you need to hear this: Disability category and diagnosis do not drive placement. Disability category and diagnosis do not induce teacher certificate. There, I said it. Now, can I back it up? In today’s episode I de
Functional Movement with Amy Martin, PT
In today’s episode I welcome our favorite physical therapist, Amy Martin! Amy was my son’s PT from the time he was about 3 months old until he was 9 when we took PT off of his IEP. Amy has always provided me and our IEP team with wisdom on the importance of functional movement. Amy describes functional movement in terms of strength, positioning, balance, flexibility and provides lots of examples of how functional movement impacts a child’s access to school.
Amy and I discuss how IEP teams ca
Preparing for an IEP Meeting With Effective Communication
The IEP team is supposed to collaborate to develop an effective, meaningful plan with annual goals, specially designed instruction, and uniquely designed special education and related services. That’s a big charge, and all too often, IEP team meetings are rote, bland, and driven by the school team with little parent participation encouraged or allowed. In this episode I’ll walk you through the following six steps I take to prepare for every IEP meeting I attend. Take a li
Getting More Services Out Of An IEP
Do you feel like your child’s IEP lacks services that would benefit your child? Have you asked for additional services when you get to that time in the IEP meeting, only to be denied? I’ll let you in on a secret--- the timing of your request may be the problem. All too often parents ask for services at the wrong time during an IEP meeting. Let me explain. The IEP document should be reviewed in order. If the Present Levels don’t establish a need for goals-
Least Restrictive Environment/ Inclusion
I’m no stranger to an inclusion argument, and while they’re always tricky and emotional, they’re among my favorite kind of cases. The law is so simple, but the discussions around Least Restrictive Environment can get so convoluted. In today’s episode, I’ll walk you through what the law mandates, a few factors to consider in an LRE case, and ton of strategies I use in my law practice when addressing an LRE case. The IEP mandates that “to the maximum extent appropriate, chil
Introduction to Special Education Evaluations
Evaluations are a fact of life in special education. They are the gateway to the IEP. School districts are required to identify, locate, and evaluate children that are suspected as having a disability. That requirement is often called the “Child Find” requirement. As a result of Child Find, once a district or a parent identifies a child as possibly qualifying for special education services, the district must conduct an evaluation. The evaluation will result in an eligibility determination
Common Topics in Special Education During COVID-19
In this episode I address the most commonly asked questions during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the past six months I’ve helped my own clients and have spoken with parents and staff at many disability organizations about decision-making during the COVID-19 pandemic. Things have twisted and turned, but we always land on the same themes. I have compiled a list of the questions that I’ve been asked most, and I’ve answered them.We’ll talk about how to address regression, what compensatory education
Starting the School Year on the Right Foot
Sara Platenberg has a Masters Degree in Education with a focus in Gifted and Talented and Twice Exceptional Populations. She served the public school system in Virginia as a Gifted and Talented Specialist where she focused on Twice Exceptionality and meeting the needs of 2E students while utilizing researched based inclusion strategies. Her years as an educator and experience implementing strategies to meet the needs of students with learning differences, helped support Sara as she began navigat
The 6Ws of the IEP Team Meeting
IEP Meetings can be intimidating. This episode takes the stress out by bringing basic, easily laid out information on what the meetings are, who attends them, why they occur, when they occur, where they are, and how they are scheduled. Sometimes the meeting is the most intimidating part of advocating for a child with a special education plan. My husband , Brandon, joins me in this episode as we reflect back on our journey as parents in special education thus far. He provides information as a
5 Basic Advocacy Tips
Episode 02 delivers five basic advocacy skills that are aimed to help parents but will be applicable to anyone supporting a child in special education. They’re skills I’ve used in advocating for my own child and in coaching clients as their special education attorney. They’re tried, true, and easy to implement. If you remember one tip, it is to Communicate, Communicate, Communicate! Keeping lines of communication open between home, school, and other professionals is so important.
Welcome to Special Education Advocacy with Ashley Barlow
In today’s episode, you’ll get to know me a little more. You’ll understand how I see things as a parent, a teacher, and a self-advocate. You’ll understand my “why” and be the first to know about the roadmap for the first course series at Ashley Barlow Co.I’m so glad you found us! Grab a glass of lemonade, get cozy, and settle in to listen!