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Have you heard the term “family readiness”? Me neither. Anyone in and around the military sphere has undoubtedly heard “mission readiness.” I was in a virtual discussion and the term was used – not in any kind of intentional, direct sort of way but more as a term to understand the plight of military families…and it got me thinking. What is Family Readiness? The familiar concept of “mission readiness” is widely understood to be what military families live by. Family readiness

December consistency strategies become especially important as the holidays bring excitement, anticipation, and a calendar full of special events. However, it also brings disrupted routines, sensory overload, and unpredictability that can make the school day harder for many students. For children with disabilities, anxiety, or sensory sensitivities, these changes can feel overwhelming. With thoughtful planning and strong home/school collaboration, families and teachers can he

When Something Feels Off Navigating ADHD in military families can be complicated, especially when frequent moves and constant change make early signs harder to recognize. As a military family, we were used to adapting to new everything: new schools, new doctors, new routines. But when our oldest daughter, Peyton, started school, we realized something might be off. She struggled with attention, organization, and emotional regulation. Every time we voiced our concerns, we heard

What is Dyslexia? One of the most common definitions of dyslexia, as provided by the International Dyslexia Association (IDA), has recently been updated. Originally published in 2002, IDA defined dyslexia as a specific learning disability of neurobiological origin. It is characterized by difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition, as well as poor spelling and decoding abilities. These difficulties typically result from a deficit in the phonological component of

Trusting My Gut as a Military Mom Since birth, we knew Emmett was unique. Our daughter was three when Emmett was born, and they were similar in their sweet, loving natures, but my gut nagged me that there was something different this time. I first approached our pediatrician with my concerns when Emmett was 18 months old. The doctor dismissed my worries immediately and suggested everything was “normal.” Time passed, and Emmett‘s struggles became more noticeable. Nearly every

At Partners in PROMISE (PiP), we recognize that the power of partnering to improve progress reports lies in understanding and using data effectively. Data drives decision-making. When it comes to tracking your child’s Individual Education Program (IEP) progress, collaboration with your school’s Special Education team ensures that every goal is clearly measured and monitored throughout the year. These goals and objectives should be SMART goals. This means they are specific, me

“Between complex educational needs, frequent moves, and drastic differences in special-needs supports from state to state, homeschooling seemed to be the best option to allow my son to thrive.” Homeschooling was never off the table, but I doubted my ability to teach my special needs child. After a rough start in public school and challenges in private school, homeschooling became our only option. As a military family with frequent moves, I’ve learned that transitions often br

Parts of an Individualized Education Program (IEP) explained in this guide will help parents understand the legally required plan that outlines the special education services and supports their child will receive to make progress and access the general education curriculum. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires every IEP to meet your child’s unique learning needs. After a PCS or when changing schools/districts, you may notice that the IEP documents a

Learning the Diagnosis As a mom, hearing that my son Alex was autistic 13 years ago was one of the hardest moments of my life. It wasn’t something I ever expected to hear, and at that moment, fear filled my heart. I was afraid of the unknowns—the challenges we would face, the obstacles I couldn’t yet see, and the uncertainty of how his life would unfold. The questions were endless: Would he be okay? Would he find friends? Would he ever feel like he belonged? That moment marke

Back-to-school tips for military families in special education can make the difference between a stressful start and a smooth transition. August often feels like a whirlwind—last-minute summer adventures, the start of sports and clubs, the final days with friends, and back-to-school shopping. For military-connected families, especially those who have just completed a PCS, it often means something more: a new school, a new routine, and a new team of educators to partner with.

Our Journey Begins: Autism Diagnosis Overseas Military special education advocacy became our lifeline when our son was diagnosed with Autism at a very young age while we were stationed at Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan. Since then, he has had an Individualized Education Program (IEP) under the categories of Autism and Specific Learning Disability with deficits in several areas. Now 13 years old, my son is best described as an animal lover, a science enthusiast, a vegetarian

Back-to-school Individualized Education Program (IEP) preparation is best done before the start of the school year. With just a few weeks left of summer, now is the perfect time to set your child up for success. Use this time to review the IEP, organize important records, build executive functioning routines, and introduce your child to their new teachers. Here's how to get started. Assess Your Child’s IEP for Back-to-School IEP Preparation Take a long look at your child’s IE

Preventing an individualized education program (IEP) summer slide can be a challenge when school is out and specialized instruction pauses for the season.You can help your child maintain the growth they’ve made during the school year and avoid losing valuable progress on their IEP goals. Preventing IEP Summer Slide with Weekly Goal-Based Activities For those students who have qualified for Extended School Year (ESY) services, it can help students maintain growth between schoo

The Fourth of July can be overwhelming for children with sensory sensitivities due to loud noises, bright lights, and large crowds. Here are the key Fourth of July sensory sensitivity tips to help you prepare and make the day more enjoyable for your neurodivergent child. Do’s for Managing Fourth of July Sensory Sensitivity Plan and prepare your child by discussing what to expect, including crowds, fireworks, and bright lights. Bring noise-canceling headphones or earplugs to r

A PCS move with special needs children presents unique challenges that extend far beyond packing boxes. When our family moved from the National Capital Region (NCR) to Whidbey Island in the Pacific Northwest, we had to manage complex medical needs, shift to a new Tricare region, and prepare our kids—emotionally and logistically—for a major transition. It wasn't very easy, as all PCS moves truly are. Preparing for a PCS Move with Special Needs Children When I'm getting ready t

This report from Partners in PROMISE investigates the unique challenges and benefits of homeschooling for military-connected children with disabilities. Partners in PROMISE initiated this research due to a noticeable absence of data on special education experiences within the highly mobile military lifestyle. Our 2022 survey revealed that nearly 10% of military-connected families with children with disabilities opted for homeschooling. This finding prompted a deeper explorati

Preventing summer learning loss is a top concern for many families. This is especially true for parents of K–12 students with special needs. As a special education advocate, I work with parents throughout their child’s education. This topic comes up at every stage of the journey. Strategies to Keep Kids Engaged Over Summer Break How can you help your child stay prepared for the next school year while still enjoying the summer? It’s possible to do both. Over the years, friends

Some people call it multitasking. I call it survival—with a whole lot of love. My name is Tricia, and I’m a wife, a mother of four, and the caregiver to my retired U.S. Navy husband. This is a caregiver’s story—not the life I envisioned, but the one my family was chosen to lead—and it’s full of meaning, growth, and grace. Life After Service: Supporting My Veteran Husband My husband served over twenty-four years in the Navy. Calm in chaos and steady in every storm, he led with

As the school year winds down, many of us, parents and teachers alike, are simply counting the days until summer. I recently overheard a teacher say, “Whatever I need to do to get to June 11th,” and I couldn’t help but relate. We’re all ready for the beach, fireworks, and a break from school routines. But before we fully check out, it’s important to tackle the most critical items on your IEP end-of-year checklist. Taking time now to review your students’ needs and prepare for

Recently, in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, I had the chance to sit down with two amazing colleagues who serve as school counselors. We talked about the many ways they support students and families, not just during May, but throughout the school year. Our conversation highlighted how deeply they care about encouraging children to have a voice, fostering relationships, and creating safe, supportive environments for all kids, especially those facing unique circumstance