The Special Ed Files

The Special Ed Files

If you're touched in any way by the life of a child with a disability, this podcast is for you. Each week, hosts Julie Swanson and Jennifer Laviano pull back the curtain on what really happens in special education. The Special Ed Files will explore real-world examples in special education, explain where mistakes were made, explain where the law was violated, and help listeners avoid making these mistakes. The podcast hopes to demystify the federal law that governs special education, and change the lives of children with disabilities by empowering the adults who work with them. This podcast is a production of the Quinnipiac University Podcast Studio, and the first season was produced by Bryan Murphy. The second season is produced by Paul Ashton. To learn more about Julie and Jen's work, visit YourSpecialEducationRights.com. Executive producer is David DesRoches, director of community programming.

Episodes

No. 21 Gerri and the Unasked Questions

March 26, 2022 • 54 mins
Jen and Julie discuss with guest Gerri the process of taking a child through special education. Like previous episodes, the topic of schools and how they treat those with special needs is the main focal point. More in unveiled about how these institutions choose where those with special needs go. Specifically mentioned are the written tests children undergo to see if they have a learning disability, and how some tests are denied to...
Mark as Played

File No. 20 Babs and the Bureaucracy Battle

March 15, 2022 • 31 mins
Jen and Julie, along with their guest Babs, talk about the experience of being a parent trying to put their child through the education system. The challenges that come with being special needs, along with the bureaucracy at play by those in charge have made it difficult for Babs to find the right place for her son to flourish, This along with "The List" is what has attempted to hold her and her son back, and is the topic of today'...
Mark as Played

File No. 19 Jack and the Road to Independence

March 8, 2022 • 40 mins
Jen and Julie discuss with guests Jack and Shannon the experience of requiring special education in modern education. Jack shares his stories and successes throughout the years while his mother Shannon talks about the struggles they both encountered when faced with adversity. This paints a picture of what it's like to live with special needs, and how everybody has the chance to succeed if given proper support. The Special Ed Files ...
Mark as Played

File No. 18: Endrew and the Supremes

May 4, 2021 • 37 mins
Jen and Julie dive into the United States Supreme Court case of Endrew F. v Douglas County School District. This was a court case from 2017 that discussed the level of educational benefits school districts should provide students with disabilities as defined by Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The Special Ed Files is directed by David DesRoches, and the podcast is produced by Bryan Murphy and is a production of ...
Mark as Played

File No. 17: Ricky and the Restraint

March 23, 2021 • 39 mins
Ricky is a child who has experiences of being restrained by the adults in his public school program. By the time a child is restrained and/or secluded regularly at school, it should be a sign that something is not working. Listen in as we address this important and difficult hot topic, along with discussing the incidents with Ricky’s mother, Stephanie, and learning how he’s doing now. The Special Ed Files is directed by David DesRo...
Mark as Played

File No. 16: Poppy is a Pain in the Neck

March 2, 2021 • 34 mins
Poppy is a third grade student with ADHD who is always in repeatedly violating other her peer’s physical and social boundaries. Poppy became “that” kid to her classmates and a crisis ensued. Join us and our special guest, Robin Fox, a social emotional educator who teaches us the 1-2-3 Done technique.You can check out Robin's website, which is www.social-eyes.org. The Special Ed Files is directed by David DesRoches, and the podcast ...
Mark as Played

File No. 15: Lenny and the Locker

February 23, 2021 • 37 mins
Lenny is a high school student diagnosed with Aspergers disorder who was being mistreated by his peers and was mistaking it for friendship. Join us and our first guest, Robin Fox, a social emotional educator, as we share how to incorporate social skills into the IEP. You can check out Robin's website, which is www.social-eyes.org. The Special Ed Files is directed by David DesRoches, and the podcast is produced by Bryan Murphy and ...
Mark as Played

File No. 14: Shanika and the Set Up

February 9, 2021 • 24 mins
Shanika is a 5 year old whose neurological impairments required her to have a highly trained para professional. When the lack of appropriate support resulted in regression, Shanika’s school began papering the file with unfounded speculations. Was there a setup under way?   The Special Ed Files is directed by David DesRoches, and the podcast is produced by Bryan Murphy and is a production of the Quinnipiac University Podcast Studio....
Mark as Played

File No. 13: Danny and the Device

February 2, 2021 • 26 mins
Danny is an 8 year old with cerebral palsy and extremely limited communication skills resulting in frustration and maladaptive behaviors. Listen to Jen and Julie discuss what happens when Danny’s parents tried to secure a communication device for him.   The Special Ed Files is directed by David DesRoches, and the podcast is produced by Bryan Murphy and is a production of the Quinnipiac University Podcast Studio. Learn more about yo...
Mark as Played

File No. 12: Cai and the Cover Up

January 26, 2021 • 28 mins
Cai is a teenage girl with anxiety and social deficits. The school district agreed to grant her parents an independent language evaluation to understand what interventions should be in place to address her lagging social skills. But something wasn’t adding up with the completed language report. What was the district concealing? Jen and Julie lay out a tale of a misrepresentation of the truth that could have changed the course of Ca...
Mark as Played

File No. 11: Devorah and the Demotion

January 19, 2021 • 37 mins
Devorah is 18, has Williams’ syndrome and is excited to move onto transition programming. The problem is that the school district insists she attend the district’s program housed in a wing of Devorah’s elementary school. Will Devorah be forced to go back to grade school to prepare for adulthood?  The Special Ed Files is directed by David DesRoches, and the podcast is produced by Bryan Murphy and is a production of the Quinnipiac Un...
Mark as Played

File No. 10: Pablo and the Principal

January 12, 2021 • 39 mins
Pablo is a 7th grade student with an anxiety disorder exhibiting aggressive behaviors with students and staff and even escalating to escaping the building. Fearing for the safety of the students, staff and Pablo, the principal was at his wit’s end. What did the principal do? How did things turn out for Pablo? Jen and Julie reveal the tale of Pablo and the Principal. The Special Ed Files is directed by David DesRoches, and the podca...
Mark as Played

File No. 9: Pavit and the Pill Pushers

January 5, 2021 • 27 mins
Pavit is in elementary school, has ADHD and is a struggling reader. The school team insisted his inability to sustain attention is at the heart of his reading challenges and encouraged his parents to medicate Pavit. His parents shared concerns that something else was going on. Was it his ADHD or was something else? Can the team insist on medication? Find out when Jen and Julie unfold the story of Pavit and the Pill Pushers. The Spe...
Mark as Played

File No. 8: Gigi and the Gaslighters

December 8, 2020 • 37 mins
Gigi, a 6 year old girl with autism, whose parents were concerned about a dangerous behavior that her school team claimed was not happening. Jen and Julie discuss the actions that can be taken for parents if a school is not acknowledging the actions of a child with a disability. The Special Ed Files is directed by David DesRoches, and the podcast is produced by Bryan Murphy and is a production of the Quinnipiac University Podcast ...
Mark as Played

File No. 7: The Rogers and the Recording

December 1, 2020 • 35 mins
The Rogers are the parents of a 4th grader, who is suspected of having a reading disability. This is how their inadvertent recording of a discussion among the school team resulted in getting him an outside evaluation. The Special Ed Files is directed by David DesRoches, and the podcast is produced by Bryan Murphy and is a production of the Quinnipiac University Podcast Studio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/ad...
Mark as Played

File No. 6: Julie and the Jarring Note

November 24, 2020 • 39 mins
Podcast Anchor Julie Swanson recalls the uphill battle she faced when her own son was diagnosed with autism, and the shocking note she discovered when she obtained his educational records. This is also the story of how podcast anchors Julie and Jen first met. The Special Ed Files is directed by David DesRoches, and the podcast is produced by Bryan Murphy and is a production of the Quinnipiac University Podcast Studio. Learn more ab...
Mark as Played

File No. 5: Felicia and the Phone

November 17, 2020 • 29 mins
“Felicia,” a 10th grader with Down Syndrome, has an IEP rich with adaptive daily living skills. Jen and Julie describe how one simple oversight can derail a critical safety skill. The Special Ed Files is directed by David DesRoches, and the podcast is produced by Bryan Murphy and is a production of the Quinnipiac University Podcast Studio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mark as Played

File No. 4: Marco and the Meeting

November 10, 2020 • 34 mins
“Marco,” a 5th grader with ADHD, needs serious changes to his IEP for middle school to avert further emotional distress. In this episode we encounter a brave school nurse who becomes an unsung hero. Jen and Julie describe how appropriate special ed planning early in a student’s career saves money for families, schools and society in the long run. The Special Ed Files is directed by David DesRoches, and the podcast is produced by Br...
Mark as Played

File No. 3: Tina and the Tree

November 3, 2020 • 31 mins
“Tina,” a 4th grade student with autism who struggles to make connections with students. Jen and Julie describe a heart wrenching playground episode that helps listeners understand that advocating for the fascilitation of social skills can be critical to a student’s overall success in school and beyond. The Special Ed Files is directed by David DesRoches, and the podcast is produced by Bryan Murphy and is a production of the Quinni...
Mark as Played

File No. 2: Bobby and the Balloon

October 27, 2020 • 31 mins
“Bobby,” an elementary school student with cerebral palsy and an intellectual disability attends a graduation ceremony where one teacher’s absolute best intentions go horribly awry.  Jen and Julie describe how forethought and planning in the IEP process can avert unintended exclusion and heartache while adhering to the law. The Special Ed Files is directed by David DesRoches, and the podcast is produced by Bryan Murphy and is a pro...
Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    Stuff You Should Know

    Stuff You Should Know

    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.

    On Purpose with Jay Shetty

    On Purpose with Jay Shetty

    I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!

    The Joe Rogan Experience

    The Joe Rogan Experience

    The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.

    Dateline NBC

    Dateline NBC

    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 Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

    The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

    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.

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

Explore

iHeart

Live Radio

Podcasts

Artist Radio

Exclusives

News

Features

Events

Contests

Photos

Information

About

Advertise

Blog

Brand Guidelines

Contest Guidelines

Subscription Offers

Jobs

Get the App

Automotive

Home

Mobile

Wearables

© 2026 iHeartMedia, Inc.