S2026 · E1August 13 · 11 min
Welcome back to the Don't IEP Alone podcast! In this episode, Lisa Lightner dives into the realities of back-to-school season for parents navigating IEPs. She shares strategies to help you get organized before classes begin, including a game-changing new approach to reading and understanding your child’s IEP.
Whether your summer break is winding down or you’re already prepping backpacks, Lisa Lightner offers practical advice to help ease your worries, focus on what you can control, and move into the new school year feeling confident and empowered.
Plus, she tackles common concerns about related services and reminds you—you’re doing better than you think!
1. Introduction and Welcome
Lisa Lightner greets new and returning listeners 00:01
Brief mention of podcast hiatuses and evergreen episodes 00:13
Reference to the "February freak out" experienced by parents and advocates 00:20
2. Back-to-School Transition for IEP Parents
Personal anecdote about shopping for back-to-school with her son 01:29
Discussion about not having the luxury to delay back-to-school planning as an IEP parent 02:29
Emphasizing the need to prepare before school starts to avoid children being left behind 02:35
3. How to Read an IEP Effectively
Announcement of a new "How to Read an IEP" PDF, blog post, and YouTube video available in show notes 02:59
Explanation of the common mistake: reading IEPs cover to cover instead of by issue 03:32
Introduction of a new method: track specific issues (e.g., executive functioning) throughout the IEP 04:00
Encouragement to focus on 1 or 2 main concerns for the new school year 04:49
Mention of IEP progress monitoring—caution not to wait until report cards (often as late as Thanksgiving) to check progress 05:11
4. Self-Assessment and Reassurance for Parents
Encouragement to focus on progress, even small, rather than stress 05:52
Reassurance that listening to the podcast means parents are ahead of the game 06:22
Observation that most IEPs have bright spots, not just problems, based on Lisa Lightner's IEP record reviews 06:52
Invitation to email Lisa Lightner for support if things feel dire 07:34
Reminders for parents to take deep breaths and acknowledge their prior experience 07:38
Welcoming both new and returning IEP parents 07:47
5. Patience with IEP Related Services at Start of School Year
Encouragement not to panic about missed related services in the first weeks (e.g., OT, speech) 08:12
Explanation that scheduling and caseloads are often still being settled in the first week or two 08:49
Suggestion that IEPs are often written to account for start/end of year disruptions 09:05
Importance of perspective: missing a couple of sessions likely won’t affect long-term success 09:33
Practical advice for documentation and following up if no contact after two weeks 09:54
6. Closing Remarks
Reminder to document ongoing issues for patterns 10:04
Goodbye and encouragement to tune in again 10:15
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!
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