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Perspectives For Parents:
Advice & Support from Parents & Caregivers
504 vs. IEP: What’s the difference?
September 18, 2023
What’s the difference between a 504 plan and an IEP? Both are for students with disabilities, but there are some key differences.
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Special Education Checklist: The back-to-school edition
August 23, 2023
The Special Education checklist for back to school season can feel overwhelming. Here are 4 ways to make it easier.
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Back to school for kids with disabilities: Dear Teacher, meet my son.
August 9, 2023
It’s time for back-to-school for kids with disabilities and parents are thinking about how to talk with the teacher about what our children need. Here's some tips.
Read moreUnderstanding alternate assessment in education for students with severe cognitive disabilities
June 14, 2023
Learn how alternate assessment in education can test for learning and skills in students with severe cognitive disabilities.
Read moreESY (Extended School Year) for Special Education students: What parents need to know
May 25, 2023
Learn about the Extended School Year for special education students, and how your child could get extra services during the summer.
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5 tips for families to help students with disabilities prepare for tests
April 19, 2023
Does your child with a disability get stressed about tests? Here are 5 tips to help them prepare.
Read moreUsing Transition Assessments to plan for life after high school
March 8, 2023
For students with disabilities, schools use transition assessments to plan for life after high school. Learn how this works.
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What is the IDEA act?… and other Special Education mysteries decoded.
February 8, 2023
Do you know your rights under IDEA? It’s the law that requires schools to provide special education services. Listen along to learn more.
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One Quick Question: How can the school help if my child is having trouble reading?
December 7, 2022
If your child is having trouble reading, their school can help. Watch this video to see how.
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IEP, advocacy, and GO! How one mom got her child with a disability off to a great start in school.
November 16, 2022
At the age of 3, Corinth, who has Spina Bifida, was ready to start school. Read about Corinth and his mom’s journey from diagnosis to school.
Read moreTransition to school for 3-5 year olds with disabilities: a timeline
November 14, 2022
Is your child with a disability getting ready for pre-k or Kindergarten? Here’s a timeline of exactly what you need to do at each point.
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Literacy FAQ: How do I help my child learn to read? (video)
October 5, 2022
This 2-minute video discusses the different parts of literacy, how the parts work together, and how you can help your child learn to read.
Read moreWhat is Response to Intervention (RTI) and how can it help kids struggling in school?
September 28, 2022
Response to intervention (RTI) is a system schools use to help students who are struggling. If your child has a disability, RTI could be the way to help. Narrated by Christina Kozik; Written by Julie McKinney
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Back to school tips: Preparing for the long game
September 28, 2022
Back to school is a life transition. How can we ease anxiety? Here are 4 back to school tips to help you and your child be prepared.
Read moreIntroduce your child with F-Words; it’s not what you think
September 7, 2022
We’re back in school. Is your child with disabilities working with a new teacher? In this week’s podcast learn how to introduce your child to their teacher using helpful F-words! Narrated by Christina Kozik; Written by Julie McIsaac
Read moreBack to School, Back to Paperwork.
September 7, 2022
A time-consuming aspect of back to school for children with disabilities is paperwork. Here's one parent’s thoughts on those endless forms.
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New to special education? Here is what you need to know.
August 10, 2022
The special education system has lots of new terms and acronyms. Read on for an overview of what you need to know.
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My child is aging out of early intervention but still needs services. What’s next?
August 3, 2022
If your child is in Early Intervention, they will “age out” when they turn 3. Gwen Crawford Angelos, speech therapist, describes what’s next.
Read moreMy child struggles with reading. How do I know if it’s dyslexia?
July 28, 2022
Dyslexia is the most common learning disability but it often goes undiagnosed. Here we talk about what to watch for and what to do if you’re concerned. Narrated by Christina Kozik; Written by the Exceptional Lives Team
Read more6 ways to be a fierce advocate for your child with disabilities
June 8, 2022
Advocating for your child with a disability can be hard. Here are 6 practical tips to help you make sure they get what they need. Narrated by Christina Kozik; Written by Julie McKinney
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