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
Parents, get your free IEP binder: https://adayinourshoes.com/free-iep-binder/
Get your free IEP goal tracker: https://adayinourshoes.com/iep-goal-tracker/
Welcome back to Don't IEP Alone with Lisa Lightner! In today's episode, Lisa tackles one of the most common questions she gets from parents: "What can I ask for on my IEP?" Drawing from over 15 years of advocacy experience, Lisa breaks down the g...
Lisa Lightner is a dedicated advocate for parents navigating the IEP process. With her trusty mini desk fan by her side—an essential comfort for women of a certain age—Lisa brings warmth, humor, and understanding to her work.
Through her podcast and social media reels, stories, and videos, she shares practical advice and encouragement for families working through IEP meetings and advocacy efforts. Lisa’s mission is to help par...
Welcome back to the Don't IEP Alone podcast with Lisa Lightner! In today’s episode, Lisa dives into the importance of contacting your representatives—even if you sometimes feel like your voice won’t make a difference. Drawing from her own advocacy experiences and conversations with legislators, Lisa explains why it’s crucial for constituents to reach out, share their stories, and hold elected officials accountable, even in dis...
Welcome back to Don't IEP Alone! In this episode, host Lisa Lightner shares a heartfelt update from the thick of summer, reminding parents to communicate their children's special health needs—like temperature regulation—to their IEP teams. Lisa dives into some unique Pennsylvania special education history, spotlighting the origins of IEPs and the creation of "intermediate units" and local task forces that advoca...
The school has asked for access to your child's medical records. Now what?
Do I have to share my child’s medical records with the IEP team?
📣Preorder my book 📣
More IEP help for you--at home or at school--
📊 Free IEP Data Collection Sheets (for school staff)
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!
📣Preorder my book 📣
More IEP help for you--at home or at school--
📊 Free IEP Data Collection Sheets (for school staff)
And hey, my book is on sale today at Barnes & Noble!
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!
📣Preorder my book 📣
More IEP help for you--at home or at school--
📊 Free IEP Data Collection Sheets (for school staff)
What parents need to know about IEEs-Independent Education Evaluations. When and how to ask for one, what criteria to use to ask for one and what to do once you've received an IEE report.
📣Preorder my book 📣
More IEP help for you--at home or at school--
📊 Free IEP Data Collection Sheets (for school staff)
Hiring an IEP advocate or Special Education Advocate is a tough decision. Here are some things to consider before you take the plunge.
📣Preorder my book 📣
More IEP help for you--at home or at school--
📊 Free IEP Data Collection Sheets (for school staff)
Students with IEPs can continue in public schools until ages 19 or even 25. But should they? And who decides?
📣Preorder my book 📣
More IEP help for you--at home or at school--
📊 Free IEP Data Collection Sheets (for school staff)
☑️ IEP Goal Tracking Sheets for Parents
👩💻 O...
A bill just passed in the House that could mean big cuts to Medicaid—even though the word Medicaid isn’t in it. Sound sneaky? That’s because it is.
In this episode, I’m breaking down:
✅ What this bill actually does
✅ The myths about Medicaid fraud that keep getting repeated (and why they’re bogus)
✅ Why we must take action—today, not tomorrow
✅ How to call, email, and visit your senator to make your voice heard
Our ki...
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!
📣Preorder my book 📣
More IEP help for you--at home or at school--
📊 Free IEP Data Collection Sheets (for school staff)
From Entitlement to Eligibility: The Wake-Up Call Special Needs Parents Usually Aren't Expecting.
It's important for parents, especially if your child has a lot of needs, that you understand this concept as you move to adult services.
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!
📣Preorder my book 📣
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!
📣Preorder my book 📣
More IEP help for you--at home or at school--
📊 Free IEP Data Collection Sheets (for school staff)
Did you know that 1/3 of all kids with autism develop seizures?
I've got a lot of mom guilt and "shoulda, coulda, woulda" surrounding my son's seizure condition. Here's what to look for and where to get more information.
What you need to know if your child is at risk for developing seizures.
Read the blog post: 6 Things I wish I'd been told about my son's seizure risk.
The budget to cut Medicaid was discussed last night at 1 am. Details, thoughts, and action items.
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!
📣Preorder my book 📣
More IEP help for you--at home or at school--
📊 Free IEP Data Collection S...
Welcome to another episode of Don't IEP Alone with your host, Lisa Lightner. In today’s deeply personal and thought-provoking episode, Lisa reflects on a recent visit to Atlantic City and uses her experience walking its streets as a lens to examine larger issues surrounding disability, mental health, addiction, and the consequences of societal neglect. Drawing from her years of advocacy and firsthand stories from clients, Lisa...
Get the book: https://adayinourshoes.com/book/
Welcome back to Don't IEP Alone with Lisa Lightner! As we approach the end of the school year, Lisa dives into the home stretch with timely advice for families navigating IEPs, particularly around Extended School Year (ESY) services. In this candid and heartfelt episode, Lisa shares her personal experiences as a special needs parent, reflecting on making choices about ESY programs,...
Don't miss: https://adayinourshoes.com/book/
Welcome back to “Don’t IEP Alone” with Lisa Lightner, your go-to podcast for all things IEPs and special education advocacy. In today’s episode, Lisa dives into a whirlwind week packed with high-profile statements, policy updates, and a Supreme Court case that could have far-reaching implications for families of children with disabilities.
Lisa breaks down the controversial comments m...
Welcome back to Don’t IEP Alone, your go-to podcast for real talk about IEPs, advocacy, and navigating the world of special education. I’m your host, Lisa Lightner, and in today’s episode, I’m catching you up on some big updates—like the release of my very first book coming out this October (and yes, you can already pre-order it!). I dig into what it’s really like working as an advocate, juggling income streams, and balancing all t...
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