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. đź“ŁOrder my book on Amazon, Books-A-Million Bookshop.org Barnes & Noble!
Episodes
Related: What Can I Ask for on an IEP? And How do I Get the Team to Agree?
Schedule a consult for personalized assistance.
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:
More on:
Today is last day for registration for Don't IEP Alone Academy.
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:
More information about LRE and a graphic of the LRE continuum: Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) in IEPs: Placement Must Be Based on Progress, Not Labels.
Registration is OPEN NOW for Don't IEP Alone Academy.
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:
Registration is open now for a limited time.
More information here: 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 IEPs:
Training Objections
In this episode, Lisa Lightner tackles the objections parents often have about advocacy training: “I already speak up,” “I can find information online,” and “I don’t have time.”
Her point is direct: knowing your child’s rights isn’t enough. Parents also need to know how to apply those rights, use documentation and data, and move an IEP team toward yes.
At ...
Back-to-school season brings a familiar reminder: don’t wait for an IEP crisis to start paying attention.
In this episode, the conversation explores why families shouldn’t wait until Thanksgiving to discover that services aren’t being delivered or progress isn’t happening 02:35.
A key theme that emerged is that advocacy doesn’t require one dramatic meeting or hours of research. It can look like following...
Welcome to "Don't IEP Alone." I’m your host, Lisa Lightner, special education advocate.
Get on the waitlist for my advocacy training.
In today’s episode, we’re tackling one of the toughest parts of advocating for your child in IEP meetings: how to respond when the team tells you "no." Lisa Lightner opens up about her early fears of rejection and how hearing "no" has become just another data point in her advoca...
Welcome to "Don't IEP Alone" with Lisa Lightner, your go-to source for special education advocacy and support. In this episode, Lisa Lightner challenges a common belief among parents and advocates: the idea that IEP meetings are the most important part of the special education process.
Drawing from her years of experience, Lisa Lightner explains why the real work—and true advocacy power—happens before and around th...
Welcome back to the Don't IEP Alone podcast! In this episode, Lisa Lightner dives into the realities of back-to-school season for parents navigating IEPs. She shares strategies to help you get organized before classes begin, including a game-changing new approach to reading and understanding your child’s IEP.
Whether your summer break is winding down or you’re already prepping backpacks, Lisa Lightner offers practi...
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 y...
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 are in the show ...
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 honest conv...
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
đź”´ 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-t...
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...
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 confidence and clarity. Fr...
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:
Popular Podcasts
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by Audiochuck Media Company.
The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!