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Let’s talk Kindergarten prep with IEPs. Kindergarten can be a difficult transition for learners, parents, and teachers. I’ve been there. Now that my learners are older, these are some things I wish I had known, considered, and remembered when the process began. Whether your learner has an IEP already or not, these tips can be beneficial. So, let’s talk about school and parent considerations and reminders to help you, your learner, and their team have a safe and successful sch

Raising a child with special needs can be a journey filled with both rewarding and challenging moments. As a parent, you may encounter skepticism and doubt from various sources, including medical professionals, educators, and even family members. However, trusting your instincts and advocating for your child is crucial. I want to share my personal experiences and provide guidance on navigating the complexities of seeking help for your special needs child, emphasizing the impo

Georgia IEP Reevaluation: How a Policy Change Improved My Son's Special Education Services A few months into my son’s 3rd grade year at our new duty station in Georgia, his case manager notified me the district would reevaluate him. Because he was approaching his 9th birthday, he couldn’t retain the Developmental Disability (DD) category on his IEP. I feared the district aimed to find him ineligible for special education services. Truthfully, I braced for a battle. Instead of

If you live in Georgia, back-to-school has started. Kids return on August 1st, 5th, or 6th. In South Carolina, year-round students went back on July 29th. Other states, like Texas and Virginia, start on the 14th and 19th, respectively. Summer flew by, so let’s discuss 10 tips for starting the school year off right for a special education student. 1. Review the IEP Familiarize yourself with your child's IEP! This includes their current goals, accommodations, and special educat

Introduction to Our Military Life Journey My husband was an active-duty service member for ten years. We have endured two deployments, countless training missions, and multiple moves. He was an Armor Officer in the United States Army. I was his spouse – a mental health therapist and special education advocate. I recently successfully defended my dissertation, but I am his military spouse, nonetheless, lol. Throughout his active-duty career, we had two amazing sons. They are

Navigating special education from middle to high school can be daunting for parents and their learners. Your role as a parent is crucial in managing these transitions, potential service removals, and adjusting to an environment where students are expected to advocate for themselves. Let's discuss how you can effectively support your child in special education during these critical school years. Middle School and High School Bring Changes Middle and high school bring about sig

One of the biggest missed opportunities in special education is schools and parents not truly understanding what FAPE is, what it stands for, and how to ensure it is provided. So, what is FAPE per IDEA (the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act)? To receive federal funds, states must assure the U.S. Department of Education that they have policies and procedures to ensure that all children with disabilities receive a free, appropriate public education. Furthermore, child

This article will explore determining eligibility for a category, define the 13 categories according to the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA), and offer resources to answer questions about the categories or special education process. We will also provide key points to consider as you encounter a permanent change of station (PCS). Special Education Eligibility Once your child transitions to Part B of the IDEA or if the education team evaluates your child for special edu

Navigating military life is challenging, but for dual-military parents of special needs children, it can be a daunting journey filled with gaps and issues. As a single military parent of two special needs children, I have seen the emotional and educational turmoil caused by extended deployments and separation. Our story highlights the urgent need for legislative reform to ensure IEP portability across districts and states, providing consistent support. Advocating for standard

Introduction Edward's journey through special education began shortly before the pandemic hit in early 2020, during his first-grade year. At that time, we started understanding his unique learning and developmental differences. We faced several challenges after a PCS from Germany, where Edward attended school and became fluent in German. We encountered unexpected financial and logistical difficulties in a highly populated area with a high cost of living. Additionally, we expe

A random mom at a kids' play gym made me cry. She was trying to get my son to count with her, and I knew he wouldn’t because he hadn’t said a single word yet. When I said he couldn’t count, she asked how old he was, and I lied—I said he was two when he was actually almost three. Her face said it all, and I realized that, yes, something was amiss. Understanding Apraxia Apraxia was not on my radar. When the developmental pediatrician said apraxia was the reason he wasn't talkin

April is the Month of the Military Child and Autism Acceptance and Awareness Month. What better way to honor both than for two military spouses of two Autistic children to talk about Autism? Destiny Huff: Navigating Public School with Autistic-ADHD Child Hey - Destiny Huff here - late diagnosed Autistic-ADHD and Army spouse. I am a Doctoral Candidate in Psychology, a mental health therapist, a neuroaffirming special education advocate, and an IEP Coach. When my oldest son ent

Transitioning from active duty required thorough research and diligence to ensure readiness for the next stage of my family's life. Despite the challenges of military life - with deployments, late nights, and missed moments - it strengthened our bonds. However, feeling a different calling and desiring stability for my family prompted my departure after a decade as an officer. Leaving involved considering my previous education, our sons' schooling, relocation, healthcare, and

Before becoming a parent, I celebrated the Month of the Military Child with kindergarten students near Fort Cavazos (formerly Fort Hood), Texas. During that time, I taught young children enduring long deployments and the aftermath of the 2014 shooting incident at Fort Cavazos. Now, I’m a parent with boys of my own. I proudly share my oldest son's journey as a military child to honor the Month of the Military Child. Meet the Miltary Child Colton: Expert Traveler Colton, my 12-

A social-emotional developmental delay is often overlooked and manifests as struggles with transitions, demands, and emotional regulation. In special education, addressing these needs involves tailored goals, related services like counseling, and accommodations such as visual schedules. Parents are crucial in promoting emotional intelligence through open communication and seeking early intervention. Children can navigate these challenges and thrive with proactive support from

When I was a brand new speech language pathologist volunteering for my first school placement to work with neurodiverse children (many of them autistic), I couldn’t have imagined the advocacy work I was doing would come in handy once I had children of my own. But, there were signs early on that my first child, Killean, would need more intentional support than most other kids his age. He walked later than his playmates, and as we approached the arrival of his sister, Koraline,

March is Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month. It has taken years for us to understand the implications of this diagnosis and the ways it has affected our daughter while being a military family. I hope to share more about the diagnosis, our lessons learned, and valued resources, both military and community, that have helped along the way. What is Cerebral Palsy (CP)? Before my daughter was born, I was ignorant of what cerebral palsy was. I did not know anyone personally diagnosed w

Brief Background on Education Challenges for Military Students Military families move three times more frequently than civilian families and may move as many as nine times between when a child enters kindergarten and graduates from high school. Each time a military family relocates, they must re-establish their community connections, including medical, educational, therapeutic, and extracurricular. For military families with children with special needs, this may mean obtainin

Navigating Cancer and Deployment Reintegration Over four years ago, I was diagnosed with advanced Stage 3C breast cancer. It is a very aggressive form of breast cancer that spread beyond my breasts and lymph nodes. As if this wasn't hard enough, the diagnosis came two weeks after a very, very, very long COVID-19 deployment. My spouse came home to his entire world flipped upside down. Cancer came to add a little spice to our already salty life. Is this what the military meant

I am a neurodivergent mother, a nurse, and an Air Force Key Spouse. Nothing could have prepared me for the challenges I would face after moving to Fort Eisenhower. These challenges included losing continuity of care and discovering no Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) Respite Care for an Air Force family at an Army installation. Navigating the Diagnosis: Understanding Autism My son was eight months old when I realized that he wasn't eating as well as he used to. He wen