Inclusive Education Project Podcast

Last week’s episode was about central auditory processing disorder (CAPD) and its impacts on a student’s ability to learn. For this episode, we are excited to welcome Dr. Stephanie Meyer to the show. She is an audiologist in the Rio Rancho public schools who will share her perspective about how instructional audio can be more inclusive. Her career as an audiologist in public school systems spans almost 30 years!Show Highlights:Dr. Stephanie’s journey into audiology and working with kids in impactful waysThe difference it makes for students when the proper audio systems are in place in the classroomsCommon audio systems that teachers can use in classrooms to be inclusive for every learnerDr. Stephanie’s insights about the benefits of proper audio technology in the classroom–(and how she conveys her message to teachers/administrators)Success stories of helping students with CAPD and hearing lossThe benefits of instructional audio as an accepted learning tool–for students AND teachersDr. Stephanie’s advice for t

Today’s show expands on our previous episode with Dr. Connie McReynolds in which we discussed central auditory processing deficits in kids with autism or ADHD. Even though many experts would argue that this is a medical disorder, it has profound impacts on education and certainly qualifies as an area of unique need for many children. Join us to learn more!Show Highlights:Common pushbacks from school districts and characteristics of CAPD (central auditory processing disorder)Children with CAPD will typically “hear” with no difficulty, but information processing is deficient.Digging into the underlying root causes of processing issues requires proper assessments and evaluations.The dangers of an early misdiagnosisTypical signs that a child should see an audiologistStrategies that are helpful for kids with CAPDIEPs, accommodations, and services may not bring improvement if they don’t target the specific issues with CAPD.Links/Resources:Contact us on social media or through our website for more information on the

It’s the beginning of another school year, and we are coming to you with many informative episodes to prepare and support you in whatever challenges this new school year may bring. Today’s episode focuses on a better way to assess, intervene, and support kids with ADHD by identifying and addressing the root causes. We welcome today’s guest, Dr. Connie McReynolds, a licensed psychologist and Certified Rehabilitation Counselor with well over 30 years of experience working with children and adults with ADHD and anxiety. She is the author of Solving the ADHD Riddle and hosts the Roadmap to the Brain podcast. Show Highlights:Dr. Connie’s background and work as a rehabilitation psychologist and clinic founderUnderstanding the evolution of a deeper and broader perspective of the root causes of ADHD and how it affects peopleCommon problems in the current IEP process that Dr. Connie encounters regularlyThe outdated picture of current assessments—and how we can do betterAn overview of Dr. Connie’s assessment

Welcome! Today’s episode takes a big-picture view of what’s going on in education with our taxpayer dollars and how we can educate more parents about their general rights in advocating for their children. We use a recent California case as an example of how things can go so wrong–and cost millions of dollars–in special education law. Tim Adams has been in law practice for over 23 years after working as a lay advocate in the special education legal clinic at the Pepperdine Law School. As president and CEO of the disability rights law firm Adams & Associates, Tim has worked with numerous families to help them advocate for their children and has firsthand experience in this role because of his younger brother with special needs. He sees his career as a special education attorney as a unique opportunity to help and support families.Show Highlights:Tim’s recent high-profile case: Irvine Unified School District V. Landers and GaglianoThe money side of this case (what the school district spent on litigation

We are joined today by a special guest, Michael Hingson, host of the Unstoppable Mindset podcast. We have shared a lot of time on each other’s podcasts and learned a lot from Michael’s perspective on special education, especially what he experienced in the very early days of special ed.  Join us to learn more about Michael’s life and work!Michael Hingson has a unique story. With a master’s degree in physics, Mike is an educator, best-selling author, inspirational speaker, and disability advocate–and he is blind and a 9/11 World Trade Center survivor. When his premature birth called for a pure oxygen environment, his retinas were irreparably damaged, and he has been blind ever since. His parents were urged to institutionalize him because “no blind child can ever amount to anything or contribute to society”---or so the doctors said. His parents refused and gave him every chance to learn, sending him to public schools throughout his life. He earned his physics degree and secondary education teacher credenti

We're happy to bring you some of our listener favorites during the next few weeks. These episodes are sure to pique your interest by featuring topics important to each of us Enjoy!We are pivoting from our normal education-centric topics today to take a broader view of the financial side of raising a child with a disability. We want to make sure that families, and people working with these families, have all the resources and tools for a well-rounded toolkit for supporting their kids. We welcome James Lange to the podcast to share his practical insights and expertise.James Lange is a CPA, a state attorney in Pennsylvania, and the author of nine best-selling financial books. He is a nationally recognized IRA, 401(k), and retirement plan distribution expert. As a result of his daughter’s disability, James developed a passion for helping parents who need to provide sufficient care for a disabled child even beyond their own lifetime. He explains how he and his wife are providing for their daughter’s future and wha

We're happy to bring you some of our listener favorites during the next few weeks. These episodes are sure to pique your interest by featuring topics important to each of us Enjoy!We recently had the chance to speak at the BOOST Conference about our podcast, the IEP system, and special education in general. The BOOST Conference is an annual event to inspire youth, learning, and change. Many different educational professionals attend the conference in Palm Springs, California to participate in classes, workshops, and networking events, and to explore the latest in technology and innovation related to education. Join us to hear this live presentation and the Q & A session!Show Highlights:An overview of the IEP podcastWhat is an IEP? What are IEP meetings?The importance of collaboration in the entire IEP processIndividualization, not comparison, is most helpful in the IEP process.The vital need for parents to talk to the teachers before the IEP meeting95% of the conflict in IEP meetings is due to a communica

We are taking a summer break for July to soak up a little summer fun with our families, so we are replaying some of our most popular episodes that are packed with information and inspiration. We will be back in August with new episodes to prepare us for the 2024-2025 school year. Today’s replay first aired a few weeks ago during Mental Health Awareness Month. Maria Barrera helps us understand the need for a more comprehensive and relevant curriculum focused on skill-building and emotional awareness instead of reacting to students’ mental health needs “after the fact.” Doesn’t it make more sense to support “mental wellness” than to simply address “mental illness”? That’s the idea behind Clayful! Join us to learn more!Maria Barrera is the founder and CEO of Clayful, a company that began as a way to address the mental health crisis in a more preventative way. Clayful offers supportive tools and resources to help students become more resilient and emotionally aware before they get to their breaking point. Maria i

We promised you a Part 2 with Michael Hingson—and here it is! We don’t always get the opportunity to follow up a guest interview with a second part, and that’s why we are thrilled to bring you more of Michael’s inspiring story and his important work in the field of accessibility. Michael first joined us last May for an episode titled, “Approaching Life with an Unstoppable Mindset.” (Click here to listen!)Michael Hingson has a fascinating life story. With a master’s degree in physics, he is an educator, best-selling author, inspirational speaker, and disability advocate—and he is blind and a 9/11 World Trade Center survivor. When his premature birth called for a pure oxygen environment, his retinas were irreparably damaged, and he has been blind ever since. His parents were urged to institutionalize him because “no blind child can ever amount to anything or contribute to society”---or so the doctors said. His parents refused and gave Michael every chance to learn as any other child, sending him to public schoo

Today’s episode is Part 2 of our conversation with Santanna Ficken, a mental health practitioner who proudly identifies as a disabled, autistic/ADHDer with multiple neurodivergencies. Santanna is a passionate advocate with MnNEAT (Minnesota Neurodivergent Education, Advocacy, and Therapy Services), which focuses on building trust and relationships in the neurodivergent community while advocating for social justice for all disabled people. Today’s episode is focused on how IEPs can be improved to be neurodiversity-affirming. Join us to learn more!Show Highlights:Understanding what it means to be neurodiversity-affirmingIEPs for neurodiverse students should respect autonomy, validate differences, assume competence, adjust expectations, encourage self-advocacy, adapt to systems/environments, and honor ALL forms of communication.The goal in IEPs should NOT be to change or “fix” the student!Examples of trauma for students caused by the IEPSantanna’s experience in school as a neurodivergent studentThe process of re

Today’s episode is Part 1 of our conversation with Santanna Ficken, a mental health practitioner who proudly identifies as a disabled, autistic/ADHDer with multiple neurodivergencies. Santanna is a passionate advocate with MnNEAT (Minnesota Neurodivergent Education, Advocacy, and Therapy Services), which focuses on building trust and relationships in the neurodivergent community while advocating for social justice for all disabled people. Join us to learn more!Show Highlights:Santanna’s background in advocacy and support for neurodivergent children and their familiesAbleism—what people should know about this form of discriminationUnderstanding the three types of ableism: institutional, internalized, and interpersonalThe IEP process is clearly systemic ableism, as Santanna explains. Our focus on “fixing” a disability is wrong. The difficulties in trying to redirect IEP conversations to ensure that every child has an affirming educational experience with accessibilityWhat Santanna wants every school t

June is here! That means many school districts are on summer break, and many more are in the last week or so of the school year. Wherever June finds you, we are glad you’re with us for this exciting episode.We have mentioned bullying on the show many times, but we’ve never dedicated an episode to it. We welcome Alain Pelletier, a professional youth speaker on the topic of bullying. He has been fully engrossed in this topic for several years, and he shares with us how he finds a connection with youth on bullying through theory and emotion.  Show Highlights:The emotional process around understanding bullying: utilizing empathy and sympathyWhat parents should know about bullyingAlain’s process when he speaks to children about bullyingAlain’s story of “the kid in the back of the room”“How can we stop bullying?” is the wrong question.The most critical emotional education of your children takes place in their first 12 years.Links/Resources:Connect with Alain Pelletier: WebsiteContact us on social media or

We are honored to visit again with Dr. Alexander Tan to discuss the integrity of evaluations and assessments of English-language learners. This topic aligns perfectly with our goal of helping all parents better understand the IEP process. Are we providing culturally- and linguistically-responsible evaluations? Do parents of different cultural backgrounds understand the numbers and data that we are using? Join us to learn more in today’s episode! Dr. Alexander Tan is a board-certified clinical neuropsychologist and supervisor at Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC). His expertise is in the assessment of neurological and neurodevelopmental disorders in children and adolescents. He is an internationally recognized expert and frequent speaker about topics such as autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, and mental health. He recently joined us for Episode 310: A Holistic View of Language and Cultural Context. Show Highlights:Dr. Tan’s role in the assessment process: to inform and educate the parentsT

It’s a busy, busy time of year as schools are finishing up! We wanted to get this episode in before the end of May, which is Mental Health Awareness Month. Our guest today helps us understand the need for a more comprehensive and relevant curriculum focused on skill-building and emotional awareness instead of reacting to students’ mental health needs “after the fact.” Doesn’t it make more sense to support “mental wellness” than to simply address “mental illness”? That’s the idea behind Clayful! Join us to learn more!Maria Barrera is the founder and CEO of Clayful, a company that began as a way to address the mental health crisis in a more preventative way. Clayful offers supportive tools and resources to help students become more resilient and emotionally aware before they get to their breaking point. Maria is committed to addressing the youth mental health crisis, and her dedication to training a diverse mental health workforce and establishing partnerships with schools have impacted thousands of students ac

We recently had the chance to speak at the BOOST Conference about our podcast, the IEP system, and special education in general. The BOOST Conference is an annual event to inspire youth, learning, and change. Many different educational professionals attend the conference in Palm Springs, California, to participate in classes, workshops, and networking events, and to explore the latest in technology and innovation related to education. Join us to hear this live presentation and the Q & A session!Show Highlights:An overview of the IEP podcastWhat is an IEP? What are IEP meetings?The importance of collaboration in the entire IEP processIndividualization, not comparison, is most helpful in the IEP process.The vital need for parents to talk to the teachers before the IEP meeting95% of the conflict in IEP meetings is due to a communication breakdown.Links/Resources:Find out more about the BOOST Conference: WebsiteContact us on social media or through our website for more information on the IEP Learning Center:

We are pivoting from our normal education-centric topics today to take a broader view of the financial side of raising a child with a disability. We want to make sure that families, and people working with these families, have all the resources and tools for a well-rounded toolkit for supporting their kids. We welcome James Lange to the podcast to share his practical insights and expertise.James Lange is a CPA, a state attorney in Pennsylvania, and the author of nine best-selling financial books. He is a nationally recognized IRA, 401(k), and retirement plan distribution expert. As a result of his daughter’s disability, James developed a passion for helping parents who need to provide sufficient care for a disabled child even beyond their own lifetime. He explains how he and his wife are providing for their daughter’s future and what parents of a disabled child should do right now to ensure the financial future of their child. Show Highlights:James’ plan to provide for his daughter for the rest of her li

We are joined today by a special guest, Michael Hingson, host of the Unstoppable Mindset podcast. We have shared a lot of time on each other’s podcasts and learned a lot from Michael’s perspective on special education, especially what he experienced in the very early days of special ed.  Join us to learn more about Michael’s life and work!Michael Hingson has a unique story. With a master’s degree in physics, Mike is an educator, best-selling author, inspirational speaker, and disability advocate–and he is blind and a 9/11 World Trade Center survivor. When his premature birth called for a pure oxygen environment, his retinas were irreparably damaged, and he has been blind ever since. His parents were urged to institutionalize him because “no blind child can ever amount to anything or contribute to society”---or so the doctors said. His parents refused and gave him every chance to learn, sending him to public schools throughout his life. He earned his physics degree and secondary education teacher credenti

It’s a very busy time of year for everyone involved in IEP meetings, for sure! In today’s episode, we are discussing IEP meetings and the roles of compassionate educators who want to look beyond strict compliance to genuinely meet the needs of students with disabilities and special needs. Join us for the conversation!Andrew Goff taught early childhood special education in five different least restrictive environments for 12 years. He took this unique insight into his doctoral program, from which he graduated in 2017. As he moved into the community college system in Colorado, he is currently the lead instructor at Colorado Northwestern Community College, not far from Steamboat Springs. Based on his life as an educator, he has written the memoir, Love Is a Classroom and is a fierce advocate for “inclusion–early, everywhere, and always.”Show Highlights:Andrew’s unique perspective on IEP meetings after teaching across early grade levels and into the college systemThe key to effective IEP services is to start earl

Today’s episode is Part 2 to our recent solo episode about English language learners. We are focusing on the bigger picture of language as only one part of a child’s entire cultural context affecting performance on all educational and neuropsychological evaluations. Join us to learn more from today’s guest!Dr. Alexander Tan is a board-certified clinical neuropsychologist and supervisor at Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC). His expertise is in the assessment of neurological and neurodevelopmental disorders in children and adolescents. He is an internationally recognized expert and frequent speaker about topics such as autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, and mental health. Show Highlights:Dr. Tan’s background and how he came to the work he does today in private practice and at CHOCUnderstanding language, cultural context, neurodiversity, and why there are limitations and problems with inappropriate assessment methodsBilingualism—a multifaceted construct that always requires “digging deeper”Dr. T

Are you paying attention to the calendar? As we find ourselves in the last few weeks of the school year, this is your friendly reminder to act fast for the annual transition IEP meetings that should be happening. In today’s episode, we are discussing the power of “stay put” as it applies to keeping things the same in IEP accommodations and services while being in disagreement with a proposed change. Join us for a closer look!Show Highlights:“Stay put” is not just for due process cases but is one of the most important parental legal rights.The federal law is consistent but state-to-state nuances depend on consent status.Understanding how stay-put reverts to the last consented-to IEPReal-life examples of stay-put scenariosOur recommendations for a partial consent/partial stay-putUnderstanding the word placement as it’s used in IEP languagePotential exceptions to the stay-put ruleLinks/Resources:Contact us on social media or through our website for more information on the IEP Learning Center: www.inclusiveeducat