The Special Ed Strategist: Learning Disabilities & IEP (Dyslexia, Executive Function) Tips with Wendy Taylor, M.Ed., ET/P
The IEP process and the world of special education can be confusing and overwhelming for parents, teachers, and students, alike. But it doesn’t have to be! Learning Essentials has teamed up with experts to give you valuable insights into the IEP process and the world of special education —and it’s free! Join Wendy Taylor, M.Ed., ET/P as she hosts educators, psychologists, and other medical providers who provide pro tips on what to ask, what to bring, and what to take away from your next special education interaction. This is a podcast series you will not want to miss!
Episodes
May 6, 2025 • 55 mins
Is your teen overwhelmed by the idea of college? Or maybe you’ve realized that mainstream college—or even high-support programs like CLE—just don’t feel like the right fit. In this powerful conversation, Wendy Taylor sits down with Anne-Marie Stripling, an expert in college transition for students with learning and anxiety challenges, to explore how to build just-right support for young adults.
With two decades of exp...
With two decades of exp...
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May 1, 2025 • 13 mins
This solo episode is raw, real, and rooted in love. Host Wendy Taylor, M.Ed., ET/P, shares her family’s deeply personal journey—how her son’s brain tumor diagnosis flipped her world and transformed her as a special educator and advocate. You’ll learn why she created the $19 course Cracking the Code to Special Education Eligibility—and how it can help you move from fear to clarity.
3 Key Takeaways:
3 Key Takeaways:
- The emot...
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April 15, 2025 • 67 mins
Feeling overwhelmed by your child’s sensory needs? In Part 2 of our conversation, sensory integration expert Carol Kranowitz returns to share practical, joyful strategies to help your child feel more confident and connected. From Ziploc paint bags to backyard crash pads, this episode is filled with simple tools to bring calm, play, and purpose into your day. Missed Part 1? Be sure to go back and catch it first!
About ...
About ...
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What really makes a child "out of sync"? Wendy Taylor welcomes Carol Stock Kranowitz, renowned author of The Out-of-Sync Child, for an inspiring and practical conversation about sensory processing differences. With her signature warmth and wisdom, Carol explains how to identify sensory challenges, how they show up in everyday behavior, and what you can do to help. This episode is packed with aha-moments and activities that bri...
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April 1, 2025 • 10 mins
Confused about the difference between accommodations and modifications? You’re not alone. In this solo episode, Wendy Taylor, certified Educational Therapist and IEP Coach, breaks down what these terms really mean, how they show up in IEPs and 504s, and why getting them right can make or break your child’s educational journey. Tune in to learn which questions to ask in meetings and how to advocate like a pro—without the jargon...
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March 25, 2025 • 56 mins
Why do some students push back against authority, struggle with compliance, or resist help? In this episode, Britt Rathbone, LCSW-C, BCD, CGP, a nationally recognized adolescent therapist, breaks down why students resist and how parents, educators, and therapists can respond effectively. From Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) to executive function challenges, anxiety, and sensory sensitivities, we explore practical strategie...
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March 18, 2025 • 9 mins
Parents often wonder: Is my child getting enough support? In this episode of The Special Ed Strategist Podcast, Wendy Taylor, M.Ed., ET/P, tackles the big question of IEP service hours—how they’re determined, what truly matters (quality vs. quantity), and how to advocate for services that make a real impact. Learn key questions to ask at your next IEP meeting and bust common myths about service allocation. More hours don’t alw...
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March 11, 2025 • 48 mins
Episode Summary:
What’s the difference between pre-game jitters and full-blown performance anxiety? How can parents, coaches, and schools better support young athletes in high-pressure environments? In this must-listen episode, Dr. Virginia Jones and Dr. Brenna Chirby, two top clinical psychologists specializing in sports psychology, break down mental resilience strategies that help student-athletes perform at their best—...
What’s the difference between pre-game jitters and full-blown performance anxiety? How can parents, coaches, and schools better support young athletes in high-pressure environments? In this must-listen episode, Dr. Virginia Jones and Dr. Brenna Chirby, two top clinical psychologists specializing in sports psychology, break down mental resilience strategies that help student-athletes perform at their best—...
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March 4, 2025 • 48 mins
Guest: Dr. Jillian Darefsky, Executive Head of The Siena School
Host: Wendy Taylor, M.Ed., ET/P
In this episode, Wendy Taylor speaks with Dr. Jilly Darefsky, a leader in specialized education and an advocate for students with language-based learning disabilities. With both professional expertise and personal experience as a parent of two dyslexic children, Dr. Darefsky shares invaluable insights into how the brai...
Host: Wendy Taylor, M.Ed., ET/P
In this episode, Wendy Taylor speaks with Dr. Jilly Darefsky, a leader in specialized education and an advocate for students with language-based learning disabilities. With both professional expertise and personal experience as a parent of two dyslexic children, Dr. Darefsky shares invaluable insights into how the brai...
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February 25, 2025 • 14 mins
In this episode of The Special Ed Strategist Podcast, host Wendy Taylor, M.Ed., ET/P, delves into the essentials of measuring and reporting IEP progress. She offers actionable advice for parents to confidently interpret their child's progress reports, request raw data, and advocate for goal adjustments when progress stalls. Wendy emphasizes the importance of understanding legal rights under IDEA and provides strategies to ensu...
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February 18, 2025 • 53 mins
In this powerful episode of The Special Ed Strategist Podcast, host Wendy Taylor welcomes Rachel Archambault, M.A., CCC-SLP, a speech-language pathologist and trauma-informed care advocate. Rachel shares her journey from experiencing trauma firsthand at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School to becoming a leading voice in trauma-informed education. Learn how educators can implement practical, mindset-shifting strategies to creat...
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February 11, 2025 • 9 mins
IEPs Aren’t Just for Academics – How to Advocate for Non-Academic Needs
IEPs aren’t just about grades! In this episode of The Special Ed Strategist, host Wendy Taylor breaks down how IEPs can – and should – support non-academic needs, including social-emotional skills, executive function, behavior, life skills, and related services like OT, speech, and counseling. Learn how to request functional performance evaluatio...
IEPs aren’t just about grades! In this episode of The Special Ed Strategist, host Wendy Taylor breaks down how IEPs can – and should – support non-academic needs, including social-emotional skills, executive function, behavior, life skills, and related services like OT, speech, and counseling. Learn how to request functional performance evaluatio...
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February 4, 2025 • 62 mins
Join The Special Ed Strategist podcast for an eye-opening conversation with Dani and Paloma, founders of In the Cortex. Experts in neurodevelopment and brain reorganization, Dani and Paloma explain how retained primitive reflexes impact children’s behavior, learning, and emotional regulation. Discover actionable strategies, including targeted movements, to help rewire the brain and support kids both at home and in school. This...
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January 28, 2025 • 11 mins
In this episode of The Special Ed Strategist, Wendy Taylor, M.Ed., Executive Director of Learning Essentials and a certified educational therapist, explores how inclusive teaching practices can support meaningful participation for students with learning differences. From understanding IDEA and LRE to advocating for SMART goals and teacher training, Wendy shares actionable strategies to help parents and educators foster a suppo...
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January 21, 2025 • 51 mins
Join The Special Ed Strategist as Dr. David Palmiter, Clinical Director at the Chesapeake Center, dives into supporting kids with big emotions. With over 25 years of experience, Dr. Palmiter shares practical strategies to help parents and educators foster resilience and manage emotional challenges.
Key Takeaways:
Key Takeaways:
- Insights into ADHD and emotional regulation in children
- The power of cognitive-behavioral ...
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January 14, 2025 • 8 mins
In this episode of The Special Ed Strategist, host Wendy Taylor, a certified educational therapist and IEP coach with over 20 years of experience, delves into the significance of IEP amendments. She explains how these adjustments can promptly address a child's evolving educational needs without waiting for the annual review. Wendy offers practical advice on recognizing when amendments are necessary, understanding legal rights ...
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January 7, 2025 • 49 mins
Episode Summary:
Join Wendy Taylor as she sits down with Jane Singleton, founder of Launchpad for Life, a certified leadership coach and special education expert. Jane shares her journey from special educator to coach, helping parents and teens foster independence, build executive function skills, and embrace neuroinclusivity. Discover actionable strategies for transitioning from a parenting “director” to a supportive “co...
Join Wendy Taylor as she sits down with Jane Singleton, founder of Launchpad for Life, a certified leadership coach and special education expert. Jane shares her journey from special educator to coach, helping parents and teens foster independence, build executive function skills, and embrace neuroinclusivity. Discover actionable strategies for transitioning from a parenting “director” to a supportive “co...
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December 17, 2024 • 16 mins
Navigating the IEP process doesn’t have to feel like entering a boardroom without a rulebook. In this episode, Wendy Taylor shares her expertise as an educator and advocate to guide you through the essentials of IEP reviews. Learn how to prepare, organize, and empower yourself as the expert on your child’s needs. Tune in to discover actionable tips and strategies for building a collaborative IEP team.
Contact Me
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Contact Me
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December 10, 2024 • 53 mins
Host Wendy Taylor welcomes Beth Felsen, founder of Spectrum Transition Coaching, to discuss essential strategies for preparing autistic teens for college. Beth shares invaluable insights from her 25+ years of experience as a parent, autism coach, and executive function specialist. Learn how to support your teen in developing social connections, mastering life skills, and fostering independence. Beth highlights the transi...
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December 3, 2024 • 15 mins
In this episode of The Special Ed Strategist, host Wendy Taylor explores the transition from high school to college for students with disabilities, focusing on changes under ADA and Section 504. Wendy dives into self-advocacy, differences in accommodations, and FERPA's impact on parental involvement. Discover how to prepare your child to advocate for themselves, understand new documentation requirements, and navigate college d...
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