Don't IEP Alone.
Inspired by her own son with disabilities, Lisa Lightner is an award-winning blogger and advocate. She has previously worked for her county's Arc and has served on the Boards of Directors for several disability organizations. Currently, she is her county's chairperson for the Right to Education Task Force, a federally decreed group set up in 1971 to ensure that all children in Pennsylvania had the opportunity to an education. When not attending IEP meetings with families or lobbying in Harrisburg and DC for disability rights, she can be found on the web at her IEP advice blog, A Day in our Shoes. She is known for her practical, realistic and implementable advice for parents. Warning: I've been told I have a Philly accent. I don't hear it. Also, I curse. It's something I'm working on as far as personal development. So please don't be put off. I'm trying. 📣Preorder my book on Amazon, Books-A-Million Bookshop.org Barnes & Noble!
Episodes
You can be right.
You can even prove you’re right.
That doesn’t mean you’ll get what your child needs.
Read instead of listen: Why “Gotcha” Doesn’t Win IEP Meetings.
related content: Is My Child Receiving FAPE? What It Actually Looks Like in Real Life.
Take the online special education advocacy training (what DOES win IEP meetings!)
Don't IEP Alone with Lisa Lightner, Special Education Advocate
Thank you for listening to this episode of ...
If you have limited time and just want to know what to focus on quickly, which section of the IEP is the most important?
Other ways I can help you with IEPs:
In this episode of Don't IEP Alone, Lisa Lightner shares why February can be a stressful month for IEP parents, what causes the annual "February freakout," and proactive steps you can take now to better advocate for your child. Get essential advice on IEP renewals, kindergarten and transition webinars, progress monitoring, and how to avoid last-minute panic as spring approaches. All the tools and resources you need a...
In this special episode of "Don't IEP Alone," Lisa Lightner shares her personal journey of setting boundaries with family amid political and social divides, especially as a special needs parent and advocate. She discusses the grief of lost relationships, the importance of protecting your energy, and how the disability community can find support and understanding—even when it means creating your own village. An h...
In this episode of Don't IEP Alone, host Lisa Lightner shares actionable tips for parents on IEP data collection after the holiday break. Learn how to track skills at home, compare school reports, and use documentation to advocate for your child’s needs. Plus, discover new IEP toolkits and resources to start your year empowered!
🔴 Is Your Child's IEP Working?: 👉https://dontiepalone.com/iep-progress/
🧑🏼🤝🧑🏼 Every question is answered by an advocate--Join A Community of Parents and Advocates who "get it": https://village.adayinourshoes.com
🔴 IEP Transition Workshop Series: adayinourshoes.com/iep-transition-workshops/
🚀 Sign Up for Special Education Advocacy Training: 👉 dontiepalone.com/online-special-education-...
⚠️More on IEP Transition Planning: adayinourshoes.com/iep-transition...
No, the School Isn’t Going to Offer Training (Unless You Demand It)
🔴 Is Your Child's IEP Working?: 👉https://dontiepalone.com/iep-progress/
🚀 Sign Up for Special Education Advocacy Training: 👉 https://dontiepalone.com/online-special-education-advocacy-training/
⚠️More on IEP Progress Monitoring: https://adayinourshoes.com/how-to-monitor-iep-progress-for-parents/
🎯 Free IEP Goal Tracker: https://adayinourshoes.com/iep-...
How to Prepare for an IEP Manifestation Determination Hearing at School.
🔴 Is Your Child's IEP Working?: 👉https://dontiepalone.com/iep-progress/
🚀 Sign Up for Special Education Advocacy Training: 👉 https://dontiepalone.com/online-special-education-advocacy-training/
⚠️More on FAPE: https://adayinourshoes.com/fape/
🎯 Free IEP Binder for Parents: https://adayinourshoes.com/free-iep-binder/
Times are different, and challenging. Here's what I'm doing a little bit differently.
Don't IEP Alone with Lisa Lightner, Special Education Advocate
Thank you for listening to this episode of Don't IEP Alone. See you next time!
Other ways I can help you with IEPs:
Welcome to "Don't IEP Alone," the podcast that provides support and guidance for parents navigating the world of Individualized Education Programs.
In today's episode, we'll be sharing 12 valuable tips for special education parent-teacher conferences during IEP season. Whether you're a seasoned veteran or new to this journey, these insights will help you approach these important meetings with...
When one door closes, another opens.
Don't IEP Alone with Lisa Lightner, Special Education Advocate
Thank you for listening to this episode of Don't IEP Alone. See you next time!
Other ways I can help you with IEPs:
Executive functioning-- always a popular topic.
🔴 Is Your Child's IEP Working?: 👉https://dontiepalone.com/iep-progress/
🚀 Sign Up for Special Education Advocacy Training: 👉 https://dontiepalone.com/online-special-education-advocacy-training/
⚠️More on FAPE: https://adayinourshoes.com/fape/
🎯 Free IEP Binder for Parents: https://adayinourshoes.com/free-iep-binder/
Mentioned in Episode:
OSERS Has Been Dismantled: What This Means for Disabled Adults and Their Families.
OSEP Is Gone: What It Means for Your Child’s IEP and What Parents Must Do Now.
🔴 Is Your Child's IEP Working?: 👉https://dontiepalone.com/iep-progress/
🚀 Sign Up for Special Education Advocacy Training: 👉 https://dontiepalone.com/online-special-education-advocacy-training/
⚠️More on FAPE: https://adayinourshoes.com...
Going off topic for a moment... but trust matters!
🔴 Is Your Child's IEP Working?: 👉https://dontiepalone.com/iep-progress/
🚀 Sign Up for Special Education Advocacy Training: 👉 https://dontiepalone.com/online-special-education-advocacy-training/
⚠️More on FAPE: https://adayinourshoes.com/fape/
🎯 Free IEP Binder for Parents: https://adayinourshoes.com/free-iep-binder/
Mentioned in Episode:
What is Specially Designed Instruction in Special Education?
50 Practical Instructional Strategies for Specially Designed Instruction in IEPs (examples)
Special Education Advocacy Training
Don't IEP Alone with Lisa Lightner, Special Education Advocate
Thank you for listening to this episode of Don't IEP Alone. See you next time!
Other ways I can help you with I...
Welcome back to "Don't IEP Alone" with Lisa Lightner! In this candid episode, Lisa gets real about the behind-the-scenes struggles of podcasting, from wrestling with ADHD and perfectionism, to navigating technical hiccups and the pressure of social media.
She shares her recent attempts to revamp the show, including her "5 Minutes to FAPE" experiment (and why it ended up in the digital trash bin), and reflec...
If your Present Levels are wrong, everything else in the IEP will fall like dominoes.
Article mentioned in video: https://adayinourshoes.com/present-levels-iep/
IEP Toolkit for Parents: https://dontiepalone.com/my-parent-iep-toolkit/
Don't IEP Alone with Lisa Lightner, Special Education Advocate
Thank you for listening to this episode of Don't IEP Alone. See you next time!
Other ways I can help ...
The Secret Suspension Problem: a MUST WATCH if the school is constantly calling you to come get your kid at school.
Resources mentioned in video:
Behavior Info for Families: https://adayinourshoes.com/tag/behavior/
Behavior mini course: https://www.dontiepalone.academy/courses/all-things-behavior-and-your-iep/preview
Don't IEP Alone with Lisa Lightner, Special Education Advocate
Thank you for listening to this...
IDEA is surprisingly non-specific about a lot of special education. Here's how to advocate when you're pretty sure you've been told something incorrect....but struggle to find proof.
Get your free FAPE guide here: https://birdsend.page/forms/1628/IrX2XebqwQ
Don't IEP Alone with Lisa Lightner, Special Education Advocate
Thank you for listening to this episode of Don't IEP Alone. See you next time!
I'm getting a facelift!
Ha, no, not me. The podcast. Details in this episode.
Don't IEP Alone with Lisa Lightner, Special Education Advocate
Thank you for listening to this episode of Don't IEP Alone. See you next time!
Other ways I can help you with IEPs:
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