35 “Fun” Names for Seclusion Rooms at Schools.
A rose by any other name would still smell as sweet. A seclusion room by any other name…is still a seclusion room. Me. And Shakespeare….
Disability Acceptance, Advocacy and Activism
Whether it be a small change in your own home or school to lobbying for Federal legislation, I’ll give you the information, support, stories, and inspiration you need to make the world a better place for our kids.
Disability Systems Advocacy is something every household should be doing, to the extent that they can participate.
I recently updated this category and parsed it out into 4 sub categories so you can better access the information you want.
Self Advocacy for Disabled People
Community and Government Advocacy and Lobbying, for when you’re trying to create change in your community or change laws that affect our kids.
Family and Home: Because change starts at home!
School, IEP and educational advocacy: What you need to be a better IEP advocate.
Some examples:
Why I no longer use the term “Special Needs”
Recognizing Ableism in Autism Awareness Materials
How to Write an OCR complaint
Understanding Special Education Funding in 5 graphics
How To Advocate for Mental Health
Free Mental Health Planner and Workbook
Hey there and Happy May! May is Mental Health Awareness Month. So, in order to offer you a few more resources….I am giving you another…
Hand Flapping When Excited, But Not Autism? How to Tell, When to Worry.
No, just because your child flaps their hands does not mean they are autistic. And, even if it did, we need to stop treating autism like it’s some terrible thing.
Is “Special Needs” Offensive or Politically Correct? Here’s the new term.
Read thoughts and insight from disabled people on how they feel about being referred to as ‘special needs.’ It’s ok to say “disabled.”
Does Having an IEP Qualify you for SSI or Disability Benefits? (Social Security)
If you have a child with a disability, you may be wondering if they are eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. SSI is a…
Do You Know the 5 Types of Bullying? You Should!
Bullying is a pervasive issue that affects individuals of all ages and backgrounds. For IEP students, it’s even more pervasive than the general population. According…
5 Ways to Advocate for Your Friends with Mental Health Issues (or yourself!)
Before you know it, it will be Mental Health Awareness Month. But, I’d like to propose that we all make it a part of our…
10 Critical Reasons to Rethink AI for IEP Writing: Why Teachers Should Proceed with Caution
Artificial intelligence (AI) has been rapidly advancing in recent years, and many industries are turning to it as a tool to streamline processes and reduce…
Exposed: Signs Your Child’s IEP Might Be AI-Generated! Don’t Miss These Key Clues!
If you don’t live or work in the online space like I do, you may be unaware of all the buzz about AI lately. Proponents…
Unveiling the Hidden Legal Risks: How AI-Powered IEP Writing Could Land Schools in Hot Water!
For starters, I’m not a lawyer nor do I play one on the internet. However, since 2010 I have guided dozens of parents through the…
What is a Board Certified Special Education Advocate? What are the requirements or certifications?
As my own online training program for special education advocacy becomes more common, I get a lot more questions about it. Recently I have fielded…
What is the Special Education Advocate Salary expectation?
As a profession, special education advocacy is fairly new. After all, IDEA has only existed since 1975. So, the cottage industry surrounding special education and…
How Do I Find a Free Special Education Advocate Near Me?
Listen, I’m just going to open up this article by bursting everyone’s bubbles. Because the most common questions I get from my website are about…
How Much Does an IEP Advocate Cost?
Your child is struggling. As a mom, you’re stressed, and you’re frustrated. You want to hire an IEP advocate. Everyone keeps telling you, “Get an…
What is a Special Education Advocate or IEP Advocate or Educational Advocate? And how do I find one?
“$2000?!?!” my husband exclaimed. “Do we really need this for him?” “Become an IEP/Special Education Advocate!” the flyer said. We were looking at a brochure…
How to Become a Special Education Advocate in 2024
I never intended to become a Special Education Advocate. I took some IEP training because my disabled son was a toddler and I thought that…
20 Examples of Inclusion in the Classroom
Inside: How do you know if your child’s inclusion classroom is truly an inclusive environment? Let’s break it down so you know what to look for.
67 Real-Life Microaggression Examples in Schools, Racial and Disability
Microaggressions have been getting a lot more attention recently, and with good cause. But not many adults pause to think about these microaggression examples in…
49 Examples of Ableism in Movies (Movies That Portray Disabilities Negatively)
I think most of us would agree that if a movie calls for a Black character, then a Black actor/actress should fill that role. Right?…
Got a Middle School or High School IEP? Here’s what to ask for.
Before we get started on things to think about for your middle school IEP or high school IEP, there are a few things parents should…
Hey, Special Needs Moms, you complain too much!
Really, you do. Enough already. {And please don’t comment without reading the article}
Do School Playgrounds Have to Be ADA-Compliant? And What to Do If It’s Not.
It always surprises me how often this comes up. A mom asks what she can do because the school playground is not accessible to her…
Free IEP Binder for 2024: How to Effectively Organize Your Child’s IEP
Most of us have various stacks of papers and folders around our house, but it is still hard to find what we want when we…
Chasing the Intact Mind with Dr. Amy S.F. Lutz
Join Special Education Advocate Lisa Lightner and special guest Dr. Amy S.F. Lutz as they discuss the complexities of advocating for individuals with severe autism…
Anniversary of IDEA 1975 | Advocating for Full Funding of IDEA
On November 29, 1975, President Gerald Ford signed IDEA 1975 into law. Before IDEA 1975 took effect, only 20% of children with disabilities were in…
Why “Gotcha!” is not an Effective IEP Advocacy Strategy.
Inside: When parents catch the school or IEP team making a big blunder, they often mistakenly think that this “gotcha!” will lead to IEP meeting…
What is Children’s Respite Care and Who Pays for It?
If I’m being honest, I’m not at all comfortable talking about children’s respite care. If I accept my son for who he is, and am…
What is Supported Decision Making: Empowering Individuals with Disabilities (sample agreement)
Largely in part due to the news surrounding Britney Spears, guardianship, conservatorship and other types of legal arrangements are getting more publicity. It’s a really…
Interview with Ariadne Wolf, NeuroDisabled Support Specialist
Today I had such a great podcast recording session! I’d like to introduce you to Ariadne Wolf, a NeuroDisabled Support Specialist. You can read more…
Why I Want to be Alone on Mothers’ Day
I was doing dinner tonight. K requires special meals, and that’s ok, I’m used to it. But as I picked up the 8 billionth morsel…
Is the Diana Screening Test Reliable at Catching Sexual Predators?
Is the Diana Screening test reliable or accurate? What do the science and data say? The answers will surprise you.
The Extraordinary Burden of IEPs on Moms.
Imagine this, parents. Imagine you are envisioning your child’s future, and the different pieces of his/her future are trading cards. And you say, “Ok, I will give you this card for safety, and in exchange, I get to keep all the cards for food.”
Is People First Language dead? No, but demanding it is.
People first vs. identity-first language, PFL vs IFL. When I was first introduced to the concept of people first language, I was all “Yes! He’s…
Combatting April’s Harmful Stereotypes: Addressing Autism Ableism
Inside: It’s April, so we’re going to be bombarded with Autism Awareness. Here are some awful examples of autism ableism that are a part of…
What are Autistic Shutdowns? (adults and kids)
Learn the Differences between autistic shutdowns and autistic meltdowns, the signs of autistic shutdowns, and how to help your loved one recover from a shutdown.
Was Dr. Seuss a Racist? See the drawings and judge for yourself.
Dr. Seuss is a phenomenal author and illustrator. Dr. Seuss has a racist past. Both can be true. Both are true.
Autism and Trans: What’s the Correlation?
The largest study to date confirms an overlap between autism and gender diversity People who do not identify with the sex they were assigned at…
Perfect Attendance Awards: 8 Reasons why they’re a Bad Idea.
Perfect Attendance Awards Perfect attendance awards are a terrible idea. I get it–I get why they were developed. To encourage kids with chronic absenteeism to…
Why Are School Vouchers and School Choice Bad? Lots of Reasons.
You don’t find failing public schools and charter schools in wealthy neighborhoods.
What are Age-Appropriate Interests for a Developmentally Disabled or Autistic Adult?
Autism and Age-Appropriate Interests “Who gets to decide what is an age-appropriate interest for a disabled or autistic child?” This is an issue that has…
5 Secrets to How Some IEP Moms ROCK this IEP Thing.
“Mrs. Lightner, we’ll add the additional hour of OT to Kevin’s plan, but I want you to know that he is the only child in…
Overcoming Some Internal Bias: Yes, yes he runs.
Sometimes our own internal biases show up and reveal themselves in unexpected places.
How and Why to Build Social Capital for your Disabled Child.
There are many scholars who think social capital is more important than any skill learned, especially for people with disabilities.
The Difference between Charter School vs. Public School: A Guide for Families.
Before you enroll your child in any school, know the differences between a Public School vs. a Charter School. Outcomes matter!
Video: Access Denied: The Effects on Discrimination in Education
A video discussion of the long term effects of discrimination and racism in public education.
I Don’t Need You to Tell Me How to Feel about Parenting a Disabled Child.
Parenting a Disabled Child This might be the biggest decision you’ll ever make as a parent. I’m talking about the decision to be happy. No,…
Teacher Shortages 2023 | How the Staffing Crisis is affecting your IEP | What to Do
Teacher Shortages I genuinely cannot believe that this story is not getting more press coverage. I just happened upon it while doing research for another…
Do you have an IEP Emergency Plan? School Shootings | Weather | Evacuation
Evacuation Plan on your IEP When I was in school, we regularly had nuclear drills. We either hid under our desks or ran to a…
6 Must Do First Week of School Activities for Special Education | Teachers and Parents
First Week of Special Education I’m a crazy over planner. While everyone is just trying to get through to the end of a school year,…
6 Reasons to STOP Assigning a Mental Age to Disabled Students
Mental Age I guess it’s a coping mechanism. Or a way of trying to parent and better understand our kids. But it’s also an antiquated…
Dear IEP Team, Let’s Talk about Trust.
One Mom’s Perspective of the IEP Process. I have always made clear that my interest is in my child, his well-being, and his functioning on…
I’m Tired of Justifying My {Disabled} Son’s Existence.
I decided today, I am done living life with a disclaimer. Here’s the thing. I’m tired of society making me justify my son’s existence. And I’m…
Anti-Racism Resources | Books | Activities | Lesson Plans | Primary Schools
Talking about Race with Kids This past summer, I hosted a series of chats about Race. It’s an issue that is important to me and…
How To Address Your School Board With IEP Concerns | 10 Tips For Parents
Should you take your IEP issues to the school board? I was recently approached by a school board member. The school board wanted advice on…
Interview: John Fetterman for US Senate
PA Lt. Governor John Fetterman for US Senate Today PA Lt. Governor began officially ‘exploring’ the idea of running for Senate in 2022. He ran…
What Parents Want New Special Education Professionals to Know
What IEP Parents Want You to Know A few weeks ago, a newish teacher tweeted at me. She asked what we wanted her to know….
Why Every Parent Should Get Involved in Special Education Lobbying | IDEA Re-Authorization
Citizen and Parent Advocacy I think we’re in this for the long haul. I wrote this right after the 2016 election, in hopes of inspiring…
The Battle Fatigue of Disability Parenting.
On Tuesday, when my son came home from school, his newly revised IEP was in his backpack. All 54 pages of it. And his FBA…
8 Ways the Special Education System Really is Stacked Against Parents.
8 Ways the Special Education System Really is Stacked Against Parents. The special education system is stacked against parents. It’s not your imagination. It is…
The Special Education Funding Crisis explained in 5 graphics.
Special Education Funding I honestly cannot believe that this blog is almost 10 years old, and it just occurred to me this week to write…
From Mom to Advocate: 15 Moms share their “A-ha!” Moments in the IEP process.
IEP Mom Advocates IEP Moms are just the greatest. I’ve found that if you talk to Mom-Advocates, who I define as being pretty well versed…
I’m tired of talking about my son’s health.
I know they mean well. People. They ask. But the holiday season just ended and I.am.exhausted. Mentally, not physically. Emotionally. My son has significant health…
Can Disabled People Vote? | Disability Voting and Election Resources
Voting Resources for Disability One great thing that came out of the 2016 election is that more citizens are engaged in the political process. We’re…
It’s OK to ask us about my son’s disabilities. No, really, it is.
Questions about Disability A few weeks ago, my younger son (non-disabled) had a friend over to play. We’ve known this family for about 6 months….
Politicians with Disabilities (and their families): But do they support the cause?
Politicians with Disabled Family Members Politicians-disability-community-family. You’d think that those words would go together, right? Do you remember it? It seems like a lifetime ago….
7 Things ALL Schools need to STOP doing, right now.
Public Education Reform I call myself a Public Education supporter. I advocate, I lobby, I educate myself on the issues. Public education benefits our society,…
{Special Education Lobbying} Testimony from Senate Education Committee
Lobbying for Special and Public Education If you follow this blog, you know that my main passion is lobbying for changes to the very broken…
7 Must-Read Facts about Poverty and Disability.
Disability and Poverty This post is at the request of my readers, in particular those in my Facebook group. Many have repeatedly said that they…
13 Questions to Ask School Board Candidates | IEP | Special Education
Questions for School Board Candidates “I’d go, but what would I ask?” I always encourage IEP parents to attend candidate forums. But that is the…
Parents, Before you go to the News Media with your IEP issues….
You should tell the media about this! It’s a really common piece of IEP advice. And, I get it. Our kids are treated horribly sometimes….
SUDEP. It’s time to say the word.
SUDEP I was at a seminar at our local children’s hospital, to teach parents about epilepsy. I asked the neurologist, “It seems there is a…
{Educational Surrogate Parents} What, Why and How to become one.
Become an IEP Educational Surrogate Have you heard of being an IEP educational surrogate parent? Many times parents ask me how they can give back…
One Mom’s IEP Battle, and What She Discovered.
The Special Education Battle. I woke up this morning and put my armor on. I am weary and broken, but there is still a war…
Do we need to change the way we introduce our disabled children?
How do you introduce your Disabled Child? Do you know what an elevator pitch is? I attend lots of workshops for bloggers and PR stuff,…
Are you a disability tourist?
 “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” Gandhi. I’m taking a year long training program to become a Certified Special…
My Travels to Harrisburg for the Basic Education Funding Reform Commission Hearing
I have discovered that my real passion is systems advocacy. That is, trying to make the laws, programs, systems and funding better for our kids….
The PARC Decree and the most under utilized disabilities resource in PA.
In a post I did yesterday, I highlighted a bit of history from the Disability Rights movement and how we got to where we are…
Our day at the 77Kids fashion show at King of Prussia Mall
Author’s note: I was feeling very sentimental about this experience so I wanted to republish it for Thoughtful Thursday. Never doubt what our kids can…
{Thoughtful Thursday} and someone gets to come in last place
Like many parents, while my kids are young I am trying to introduce them to a variety of extra-curricular activities. It can be tough when…
my submitted testimony for the Special Education Funding Commission
Today I testified before our state’s Special Education Funding Commission. This group of individuals has been charged with the responsibility of evaluating the special ed…
Meeting the Governor for signing of HB 2
It’s hard to believe, but over two months have passed since I went with my boys and Kevin’s TSS over to Bucks County for the…
Our day in Harrisburg lobbying for SB 1115~Special Education Funding Reform
Yesterday was such an exciting day for me and Kevin. We were invited to join the Education Law Center and Arc of PA in Harrisburg…
Letter to editor regarding Pennhurst
Most of you have already seen this Letter to the Editor that I wrote to the Daily Local. I’m putting this on here more for…
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