EducationHow ToKids & Family

Don't IEP Alone.

Lisa Lightner

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.

📣Order my book on Amazon,

30 episodes
weekly
Avg 14 min
English

Support the show

Goes straight to the publisher. podnod takes nothing.

Support this Podcast

Episodes 30

Newest Oldest Longest

All10 Unplayed10 In progress0 Played0

Counted on this page — what you have heard stays on this device, so it is not something the list can be paged by.

S3 · E17
Oct 28, 2025 · 39 min
12 Tips for Special Education Parent-Teacher Conferences
Welcome to "Don't IEP Alone," the podcast that provides support and guidance for parents navigating the world of Individualized Education Programs. In today's episode, we'll be sharing 12 valuable tips for special education parent-teacher conferences during IEP season. Whether you're a seasoned veteran or new to this journey, these insights will help you approach these important meetings with confidence and clarity. From setting expectations and communication strategies to addressing concerns and understanding your rights, we've got you covered. So grab a pen and paper, and let's dive into these essential tips to ensure you make the most of your parent-teacher conferences. 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! Support the show Other ways I can help you with IEPs: 📚 Order Your IEP Playbook (my book) Schedule a Consult or IEP Record Review Get on the Waitlist for Training
Oct 22, 2025 · 15 min
As Jerry Springer would say-- take care of yourselves, and each other.
When one door closes, another opens. 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! Support the show Other ways I can help you with IEPs: 📚 Order Your IEP Playbook (my book) Schedule a Consult or IEP Record Review Get on the Waitlist for Training
Oct 15, 2025 · 13 min
ADHD Month means Executive Functioning Chats
Executive functioning-- always a popular topic. 🔴 Is Your Child's IEP Working?: 👉https://dontiepalone.com/iep-progress/ 🚀 Sign Up for Special Education Advocacy Training: 👉 https://dontiepalone.com/online-special-education-advocacy-training/ ⚠️More on FAPE: https://adayinourshoes.com/fape/ 🎯 Free IEP Binder for Parents: https://adayinourshoes.com/free-iep-binder/ https://Facebook.com/ADayInOurShoesIEP https://Instagram.com/DontIEPalone 🧑🏼‍🤝‍🧑🏼 Every question is answered by an advocate--Join A Community of Parents and Advocates who "get it": https://village.adayinourshoes.com 🧑🏼‍🤝‍🧑🏼 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! Support the show Other ways I can help you with IEPs: 📚 Order Your IEP Playbook (my book) Schedule a Consult or IEP Record Review Get on the Waitlist for Training
Oct 14, 2025 · 20 min
OSEP and OSERS Staff Elimination
Mentioned in Episode: OSERS Has Been Dismantled: What This Means for Disabled Adults and Their Families. OSEP Is Gone: What It Means for Your Child’s IEP and What Parents Must Do Now. 🔴 Is Your Child's IEP Working?: 👉https://dontiepalone.com/iep-progress/ 🚀 Sign Up for Special Education Advocacy Training: 👉 https://dontiepalone.com/online-special-education-advocacy-training/ ⚠️More on FAPE: https://adayinourshoes.com/fape/ 🎯 Free IEP Binder for Parents: https://adayinourshoes.com/free-iep-binder/ https://Facebook.com/ADayInOurShoesIEP https://Instagram.com/DontIEPalone 🧑🏼‍🤝‍🧑🏼 Every question is answered by an advocate--Join A Community of Parents and Advocates who "get it": https://village.adayinourshoes.com 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! Support the show Other ways I can help you with IEPs: 📚 Order Your IEP Playbook (my book) Schedule a Consult or IEP Record Review Get on the Waitlist for Training
Oct 7, 2025 · 19 min
Buzzword: Trust Recession
Going off topic for a moment... but trust matters! 🔴 Is Your Child's IEP Working?: 👉https://dontiepalone.com/iep-progress/ 🚀 Sign Up for Special Education Advocacy Training: 👉 https://dontiepalone.com/online-special-education-advocacy-training/ ⚠️More on FAPE: https://adayinourshoes.com/fape/ 🎯 Free IEP Binder for Parents: https://adayinourshoes.com/free-iep-binder/ https://Facebook.com/ADayInOurShoesIEP https://Instagram.com/DontIEPalone 🧑🏼‍🤝‍🧑🏼 Every question is answered by an advocate--Join A Community of Parents and Advocates who "get it": https://village.adayinourshoes.com 🧑🏼‍🤝‍🧑🏼 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! Support the show Other ways I can help you with IEPs: 📚 Order Your IEP Playbook (my book) Schedule a Consult or IEP Record Review Get on the Waitlist for Training
Sep 17, 2025 · 12 min
What is Explicit Instruction?
Mentioned in Episode: What is Explicit Instruction? What is Specially Designed Instruction in Special Education? 50 Practical Instructional Strategies for Specially Designed Instruction in IEPs (examples) Special Education Advocacy Training 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! Support the show Other ways I can help you with IEPs: 📚 Order Your IEP Playbook (my book) Schedule a Consult or IEP Record Review Get on the Waitlist for Training
Sep 10, 2025 · 16 min
Is This Podcast Working? Reflections on Content, Format, and Listener Feedback
Welcome back to "Don't IEP Alone" with Lisa Lightner! In this candid episode, Lisa gets real about the behind-the-scenes struggles of podcasting, from wrestling with ADHD and perfectionism, to navigating technical hiccups and the pressure of social media. She shares her recent attempts to revamp the show, including her "5 Minutes to FAPE" experiment (and why it ended up in the digital trash bin), and reflects on the art of finding engaging content without falling into the trap of endless, one-sided rambling. Lisa also drops timely advice for the new school year, including tips on getting organized and making the IEP process more manageable for parents. It’s an honest, relatable look at both the challenges of advocacy and the reality of being a one-woman podcast team, plus a friendly invitation to share your suggestions for future episodes! 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! Support the show Other ways I can help you with IEPs: 📚 Order Your IEP Playbook (my book) Schedule a Consult or IEP Record Review Get on the Waitlist for Training
S5 · E3
Sep 4, 2025 · 6 min
Most important part of an IEP.
If your Present Levels are wrong, everything else in the IEP will fall like dominoes. Article mentioned in video: https://adayinourshoes.com/present-levels-iep/ IEP Toolkit for Parents: https://dontiepalone.com/my-parent-iep-toolkit/ 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! Support the show Other ways I can help you with IEPs: 📚 Order Your IEP Playbook (my book) Schedule a Consult or IEP Record Review
S5 · E2
Sep 3, 2025 · 8 min
Have you been asked to come pick up your child at school?
The Secret Suspension Problem: a MUST WATCH if the school is constantly calling you to come get your kid at school. Resources mentioned in video: Behavior Info for Families: https://adayinourshoes.com/tag/behavior/ Behavior mini course: https://www.dontiepalone.academy/courses/all-things-behavior-and-your-iep/preview 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! Support the show Other ways I can help you with IEPs: 📚 Order Your IEP Playbook (my book) Schedule a Consult or IEP Record Review
S5 · E1
Sep 2, 2025 · 5 min
Can you show me where it says.....
IDEA is surprisingly non-specific about a lot of special education. Here's how to advocate when you're pretty sure you've been told something incorrect....but struggle to find proof. Get your free FAPE guide here: https://birdsend.page/forms/1628/IrX2XebqwQ 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! Support the show Other ways I can help you with IEPs: 📚 Order Your IEP Playbook (my book) Schedule a Consult or IEP Record Review

Showing 21–30 of 30 episodes