Inclusive Education Project Podcast

Our February series on IEP eligibility continues in this episode. Today’s focus is on the “other health impairments” category. As an explanation, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) sets forth 13 eligibility categories, and each state is allowed to expand on those categories but not shrink them in their implementation. Join us for a closer look.Show Highlights:What is covered by the OHI (Other Health Impairments) category of the IDEAHow the IDEA code mentions “educational performance” but not academicsWhy a health impairment does not mean a medical diagnosis but can be anything that impacts a child’s healthWhy nothing in the code prohibits eligibility for a student with an OHI who is “making progress”Why we want to give parents information to ask about the IDEA code and how it is being interpreted for their child’s eligibility Links/Resources:Contact us on social media or through our website for more information on the IEP Learning Center: www.inclusiveeducationproject.org  &

We made it through the super-long month of January, and we are officially into the second month of 2023. Whew! We have certainly had some crazy IEP meetings already, and we are seeing a disturbing new trend regarding eligibility for IEPs in which children who need services are being denied. Our February series that begins today will address this issue, and we will be going through the eligibility categories in these episodes, along with explaining what the law says about eligibility. We are starting today by sharing what we are currently seeing in our cases. Join us for a closer look!Show Highlights:The starting point for eligibility: the assessmentHow the trend is for opposing counsels to use special education language and buzzwords to apply delay tactics and “wait and see” approachesWhy an IEP DOES NOT equal special day classes and removal from general education classroomsWhy struggling children are being denied IEPs with the excuse that “they are doing OK without any services”Why struggling academically is

Here we are, still in January. It’s the month that seems to go on forever! Students, parents, and teachers are well into the second semester of the school year, and we are getting lots of calls from anxious parents for many reasons. What can you do for your kid who is struggling? Let’s discuss it with today’s guest!  Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge is on a mission to change the way we view and treat children’s mental health and show parents how to use science-backed solutions that are natural. She is an Integrative Children’s Mental Health Expert, founder of The Global Institute of Children’s Mental Health, and host of the “It’s Gonna Be OK” podcast. Over her professional career of 30+ years, she has helped thousands of children and families overcome the most challenging behavioral and mental health issues, and she’s been named by Forbes as “The thought leader in children’s mental health.”Show Highlights:How Dr. Roseann helps parents with overwhelm when their child struggles with focus, learning, mood, an

We are diving deep into today’s conversation around learning differences and special educational needs. Even though we are doing so many things right in this field, there are still many changes that need to be made. Join us to learn more from today’s guest!Dr. Bibi Pirayesh is an educational therapist in the Los Angeles area. Her work includes one-on-one remediation with families and helping them navigate the school system when a child is diagnosed. She believes in the uniqueness of every child and celebrates those differences. Dr. Bibi also does advocacy work around the belief that learning disabilities are a social justice issue. Show Highlights:How children with unique needs are being discriminated against in today’s educational systemWhy the problems we need to address aren’t in the brains of our special needs children but in the way our educational system is set upHow ideologies–even those we aren’t aware of–fuel the systems used in US societyHow white supremacy is a lens through which we implement

Our focus in recent shows has been on solutions for an inclusive educational environment, and today’s show follows that theme. Today’s guest is in the thick of it with her pilot program for graduate students in speech and language. Julie Curless is a speech-language pathologist who worked for nine years in a school system in Illinois. In working with students and their families, Julie developed a passion for meaningful inclusion, and she has been a presenter, consultant, and instructor to help teachers and paraprofessionals learn more about inclusion. As an instructor at Western Illinois University, she helps facilitate the Little Learners program for graduate students in speech-language pathology. Show Highlights:How Julie became involved in training teachers and professionalsHow Julie’s pilot program, Little Learners, is working at Western Illinois UniversityHow the objectives are measured in the Little Learners program regarding language, literacy, and socio-emotional skills (with parent input)Ho

Today’s episode is a treat as we are joined by a returning guest, Olivier Bernier. He previously appeared in Episode 183 (September 2021) with his wife. They were here to discuss their documentary film, Forget Me Not: Inclusion in the Classroom, which showcased their struggles with NYC’s school system for inclusive education for their son, Emilio. We are checking on the feedback they have received from the project and how their son is doing today. Join us!Show Highlights:How Emilio is doing this year in his inclusive kindergarten classHow the feedback has included a lot of thanks from both parents and teachersWhy some people will always disagree with the push for integrated classroomsWhy it’s important to start at very early levels to have inclusion in the general education classroomHow Olivier feels about Emilio’s current school situation and the teachers’ commitment to inclusionWhat Olivier wants other parents of neurodivergent kids to knowWhy real change happens because of parents like OlivierLinks/Resourc

Happy New Year! It’s hard to believe it’s 2023 already. We hope you all enjoyed a wonderful holiday season and are gearing up for the new year. In today’s show, we are breaking down some little details most often overlooked in IEPs. Join us to learn more!Show Highlights:What to consider in state testing accommodations, both typical assessments, and modified/alternative assessmentsWhy assessments and accommodations should be discussed at every IEP meetingWhy it might be beneficial at times to opt out of assessments for your childHow physical education testing and district testing take placeHow to understand the terms “embedded” and “non-embedded” regarding  accommodationsHow California has a specific Medi-Cal provision to pay for some related services in the IEPHow the “Special Factors” page may differ according to districts and states but has provisions for “low incidence” studentsHow to understand the assisted technology (AT) component in the IEPLinks/Resources:Contact us on social media or through our

Today's episode is a replay of one of our most requested episodes. Enjoy!The end of the school year is happening over the next few weeks all around the country. Like us, many parents, teachers, and professionals are involved in IEP meetings galore. We believe that parents need to be empowered to take an active role in the IEP process. Join us to learn more from our expert guest!Beth Liesenfeld is the host of the Elevate Your Advocacy podcast and the founder of Parent Friendly OT. After learning ASL and interacting with deaf people, Beth worked with children with special needs and became certified as an adaptive horseback riding instructor. She figured out that occupational therapy was her “sweet spot,” and she worked in a clinical setting in early intervention, outpatient therapy, and in-home therapy. After seeing how the OT world functions outside the school system, Beth transitioned into schools. After participating in 80 IEP meetings each year, she learned the jargon and understood the process, now using h

Today's episode is a replay of one of our most requested episodes. Enjoy!We are here at the beginning of another school year, and after the chaos of the past 2-3 school years, none of us knows what to really expect for 2022-2023! One thing we are noticing is that a lot of parents want IEPs for their students. In today’s episode, we go back to basics with a refresher about what you should expect, what the law requires, and how you can be empowered to help your child. Join us to learn more!Show Highlights:Why the terminology used in “special education” is important from a legal perspectiveWhat the law provides in regards to a “free and appropriate public education”Why everything hinges on assessmentsWhy “student success team meetings” don’t exist in the legal sense and are often a delay tactic used by the school systemHow learning problems are manifesting themselves because of the trauma of COVID impeding the child’s access to learningWhy the parent’s initial suspicion of a problem is enough to request assessme

Today's episode is a replay of one of our most requested episodes. Enjoy!Did you know there are at least 7 different people who need to be in attendance of an IEP meeting? Today we will discuss your IEP team, who the team members are and what are their roles. In 2004, the IDEA was revised regarding the IEP team members. There are now 7 different types of people that are a part of an IEP team. Tune in and learn how the IEP team is structured, who should be a part of the team and what each of their roles are in the process.

Today's episode is a replay of one of our most requested episodes. Enjoy!We were recently featured on Dr. Karen Wilson’s Diverse Thinking Different Learning podcast. Today’s episode is a replay of that conversation where we discuss what parents can do over the summer to help prepare their child for a successful upcoming school year. Whether your child has been in a summer school program or on a mental health break over the summer, there are specific things you can do to ensure that your child’s IEP, 504 Plan, or evaluations are in place for success in learning. Join us to learn more!Show Highlights:How pandemic trauma has affected our children in diverse waysWhy children can be eligible for support even if they don’t have an official diagnosisWhy navigating the system can be so tricky for parentsWhy an assessment is the fundamental first step when there is any suspicion of a disability or any learning challengeHow at-home learning during the pandemic can give clues to parents about their child’s learning styl

We are in that crazy time when the first half of the school year is almost over. Our focus in today’s show is on what parents should be doing right now to prepare for the next semester. Progress reports are essential to update parents about how their student is doing with the accommodations in place, and you should be receiving these from the school. Let’s take a closer look!Show Highlights:Why parents should be getting progress reports on IEP goals since their last meetingHow a progress report lets you know if your child’s accommodations are on track or need adjustmentsWhy the parents, teachers, and IEP team have to be on the same page about accommodations, terminology, progress reports, etc. How the IEP can specify different accommodations for different subjects that middle/high school students takeWhy parents shouldn’t hesitate to check in and ask for progress reports if the school isn’t providing themLinks/Resources:Contact us on social media or through our website for more information on the IEP Lea

Hello! We are always thrilled when Dr. Karen Wilson takes the time to visit with us on the podcast. This is a collaboration episode that will also air on her podcast, Diverse Thinking - Different Learning. Together with Dr. Karen, we are addressing some of the most common IEP-related questions in an effort to inform and educate parents. Join us to learn more!Dr. Karen Wilson is a clinical neuropsychologist who specializes in pediatric assessments. She evaluates kids from age 4 through early adulthood where a struggle to learn indicates a suspected neurodevelopmental disorder. She figures out whether the problem is executive functioning, attention deficit, or inappropriate instruction. By evaluating various areas, she can pinpoint the reason for the struggle and formulate a plan for success for the child at home and school. Show Highlights:Does my child need a diagnosis to get accommodations at school?What a parent should do to request an assessment/accommodationsWhat should parents do when they approach

Welcome! We are always excited to have expert guests on the show because we like to learn from them just like our listeners. Our conversation today is with Michael Murray and Laura Balogh, co-authors of The Therapeutic Inclusion Program: Establishment and Maintenance in Public Schools. Join us to learn more!Michael Murray has worked in therapeutic education for 20 years. He started as a paraprofessional and transitioned to being a teacher and therapist working with kids with significant social, emotional, and behavioral challenges. His experience has been in both non-public and public schools. Laura Balogh started in the early childhood field of general education. She transitioned to special education and ran a language-based program until she met and teamed up with Mike to start a therapeutic inclusion program in public schools. Even today, she describes herself as a public school special education teacher who works with kids with social and emotional challenges. Show Highlights:The purpose behind

Welcome! Today’s show focuses on the controversial topic of cannabis use, specifically for those with autism. The proven health and behavior benefits are mind-boggling! Join us to learn more and have your eyes opened to a new perspective! Janna Champagne is a special needs parent of a daughter who is 20. Janna’s journey with her daughter included a lot of misinterpretation by the school system about her daughter’s academic abilities, mainly because she didn’t speak until age 10. Janna began homeschooling about a decade ago, and her daughter graduated high school with a diploma last year. Janna’s professional career took her into the nursing field, as she worked to target the underlying physical imbalances found in autism that are often overlooked by mainstream healthcare. This led to her interest in cannabis therapy, and she became a cannabis patient, grower, and consultant working with thousands of patients. Now, Janna is a retired nurse who teaches medical professionals about cannabinoid science and debunks

Today's show is a special encore episode of our interview with Kara Ryska. It has been one of our top downloaded episodes and you will understand why when you listen. Enjoy! We’re so happy to have Kara Ryska with us today! Kara is local to SoCal and has her own podcast that we think you will find very helpful. In this episode, Kara shares how her journey propelled her to become a life coach to specifically help other special needs moms. We’re sure you’ll find encouragement and inspiration as you listen! Show Highlights: Kara relates the story behind her becoming a special-needs mom. Kara went from feeling ill-equipped to being a mom of a child with special needs to actually becoming a life coach for other special-needs moms. “The Special Needs Mom Podcast” is a combination of Kara sharing life stories, the things that she’s currently learning, and she also interviews other special needs moms. Kara shares the differences in challenges between what her son experienced as a toddler compared to what he experience

We are in a new era regarding the perception of private schools, mostly due to the new perspective we have because of the COVID implications on learning. For most students, distance learning is NOT the best answer for optimum learning. We have seen an increasing trend of many students going to private schools, but questions remain about IEPs, reimbursements, and how it all works. Let’s take a closer look! Show Highlights: Understanding the terminology: private schools and non-public schools (NPS) How private schools differ from one another Reasons a child might need a private school environment to make progress What the law requires for parents to receive reimbursement for educational services for a student in a private school: A statement that what the district offers/proposes is not appropriate for your child The non-public school has to be appropriate in the services offered.  Why the reimbursement hinges on enforcement through due process–and may not be a 100% reimbursement but might be limited to

Welcome! Neurodiversity is always an important topic for us. So many people, kids AND adults, have different ways of doing things, and all those ways should be included and accepted. Today’s show features two guests who are enlightening us on ways to create an environment that celebrates neurodiversity and implements the best inclusion practices. Join us! Tamara Wanink is a mom and the director of Chico Christian Preschool in northern California. Prior to this position, Tamara was a behavioral therapist, and she now enjoys merging her therapy background with the preschool environment.  Brittany Anselmo is the assistant director at Chico Christian Preschool. Prior to this position, she was an early education teacher with an additional degree in sociology. Her interest lies in the intersection of social services and the ECE field.  Show Highlights: Highlights of the inclusion practices at Chico Christian Preschool How teacher training is done by way of knowledge, understanding, and compassion to help

Today’s show explores the idea that we have it all wrong when it comes to behavioral disorders. From the intersection of neuroscience and music comes the theory that what we have classified as behavior issues are really movement disorders. The body’s response to music and rhythm holds the key. Join us for a look at this fascinating work! Peggy Schaefer is a board-certified Neurological Music Therapist (NMT), and her work focuses on how the brain processes rhythm and applies it to non-musical interventions. She studied with Dr. Michael Thaut at Colorado State University, which is where this research-based approach originated. The application has been widely used with patients with Parkinson’s disease and has been proven effective as medication. Peggy’s past work has been with US service members in neurological rehab, stroke patients, Parkinson’s patients, and those with traumatic brain injuries. As she noticed marked similarities in neurodegenerative patients and those with neurodevelopmental issues, she knew

Extracurricular activities, especially sports programs, are excellent learning opportunities for students of all levels. There are many lessons learned and transferable skills that make a huge impact in enriching and enhancing life experiences. In today’s show, we learn more about Spirit League, a unique sports organization for those with special needs. Join us to learn more! Melissa Cory is an occupational therapist and the mother of four grown children, one of which was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Melissa is a board member for Spirit League, a special needs sports league in Orange County, CA. The league, offering several sports for ages 6-30, aims to foster self-esteem, enhance social skills, and build friendships. Participating families can strengthen relationships, provide support, and develop community. The league began in 2004 because four families saw the need for sports opportunities for kids with developmental disabilities. With various sports offered for a wide age range, the league now