Our Content
Perspectives For Parents:
Advice & Support from Parents & Caregivers
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.
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Transition 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.
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What 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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Introduce 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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What is special education and why is it important?
August 10, 2022
Students with disabilities need services to help them learn. Read about why special education may be important for your child.
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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
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6 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
Read moreWant to support children with disabilities? Support their families.
May 11, 2022
One of the best ways to support children with disabilities is to support their families. But how? Exceptional Lives offers our 3 favorite tips.Narrated by Christina Kozik; Written by Julie McIsaac
Read moreThe key to improving your child’s experience in school? Parent-teacher relationships
May 4, 2022
For some children with disabilities, interactions with teachers and staff can be difficult. Watch this quick video from school counselor John-Pierre LaFleur to find out how building parent-teacher relationships can help.
Read moreDoes my child have dysgraphia? How would I know?
March 30, 2022
Dysgraphia is a learning disability that interferes with a person’s ability to express their ideas in writing. But you may not even know what it is. Here’s what to look for and what to do if your child is struggling. Narrated by Christina Kozik; Written by Julie McIsaac
Read more4 pieces every IEP goal should have
March 9, 2022
How can you tell between a great IEP goal that will support your child with a disability – and one that doesn’t mean much? In this podcast we will talk about 4 things that should be a part of every goal. Narrated by Christina Kozik; Written by Julie McKinney
Read moreA crash course in navigating special education
March 1, 2022
Special education (often called special ed or SPED) means specialized teaching and related services to help children with disabilities or special needs make progress in school. How do you know if your child qualifies? And what does specialized teaching mean, anyway? In this podcast we’ll break down the systems and acronyms so you’re ready to…
Read moreWhat is the Difference Between a Child with Special Needs or a Disability and a “Special Needs Child”?
January 19, 2022
Child with special needs? Special needs child? The language changes all the time. How to keep up? Here are some ways to think about this as we support our kids.
Read more4 Pieces Every IEP Goal Should Have
November 3, 2021
4 Essential Parts of a Great IEP Goal For Your Child With Special Needs By Dr. Howard, Professor & Board Member of the Federation of Children With Special Needs
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Literacy FAQ: Where do I start to help my child catch up with reading skills? (video)
September 30, 2021
Watch this 2-minute video to learn some ways to help your child catch up with reading skills.
Read moreOne Quick Question: How do I help my struggling reader?
September 30, 2021
Watch this 2-minute video from a literacy expert on how to help your child struggling with reading skills such as identifying the areas of challenge.
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Literacy FAQ: What can the school do to help if my child is struggling with reading? (Video)
September 30, 2021
Watch this 2-minute video for tips on how to partner with your child’s school to help your child that may be struggling with reading.
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