Catherine Whitcher, M.Ed

Have you ever thought of picking up and moving to a better district? Almost every special needs parent & IEP team member I've ever talked to has had the same dream. But, will IEP progress really improve in a district with more resources? Maybe. Maybe Not.

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Continue the conversation at www.specialedinnercircle.com

Let's get focused on where to look in your IEP paperwork!

Yes, there are dozens of boxes to check and forms to fill out, but when you focus on these 6 pieces, everything else fits together smoothly.

1. Parent Input Statement - No matter where you live in the country, every IEP has a section for parents to share their vision, concerns, and input. This area can be a huge driver for an IEP being focused on the child's needs vs getting wrapped up in school district objectives.

2. Data - Where is your child or student at right now? Can you share the data to back it up? Data isn't just for annual meetings. We all need to know what data was collected and what data will be collected for a child to be successful.

3. Measurable Goals - No need to overcomplicate. Keep the goal simple and measurable. No opinions needed. Just the facts!

4. Home to School Communication Plan - Yes, this should be documented. How often communication will happen and what will be communicated is so important. Not...

Inclusive experiences between special education and general education students within Generation Z are going to need more support for all students than ever before. Use this new perspective to build inclusive experiences that are successful for everyone involved. 

Book: Generation Z  Unfiltered by Tim Elmore

Master IEP Coach Mentorship: www.masterIEPcoach.com

After 20+ years of writing IEPs with parents and teachers, I’ve learned a few things...

1. You’re never going to get every goal a child needs into the IEP.
2. A child will shutdown if you stuff their day with direct instruction hour after hour.
3. A child needs time to “be a kid” in their school day. This is often when their biggest milestones will be met.

Need help? Visit www.masterIEPcoach.com

Podcast Highlights:

(00:01)
We're wrapping up 2019 we're jumping into 2020 and for many of this, this us, this feels like a fresh start, right? But really we're right in the middle of the school year, but that doesn't mean that we can't make some really significant changes, if needed inside of a child's IEP. So I posted something on Instagram today and that's kind of taken off, like wildfire here. So I'm going to read to you exactly what I posted. It says, "stop trying to cram the IEP with every goal a child needs. Pick your priorities and leave space in a child's...

It doesn't matter what your role is at the IEP table, you either have already heard this crazy statement or it's coming your way... "We can't put that in the IEP!"

Take 7 minutes, watch this video and I'll tell you the most ridiculous reason I've ever heard for not putting IMPORTANT details in an IEP.

Then I'll tell you how to get around it!

If you like the simplicity and to the point action steps for changing IEPs in this video, then you'll LOVE the Special Education Inner Circle... come join us! 

Learn More About the Special Education Inner Circle Here

Dear Special Needs Moms,

You've been to the support groups and you've researched for hours upon hours on how to make things better for your family.

You sit in the room, listening to other moms, the expert doctor or the IEP team and you think "there has to be more".

You go home to your family and there's still a little piece of you thinking "nobody gets us".

Until now... WE GET YOU!

You are EXTRAORDINARY!

You refuse to settle for yourself and your family, no matter how many labels or limitations others try to put on you.

You are determined to not live less fully just because you're a special needs family.

You just found your people, here, in the EXTRAORDINARY Moms Mastermind.

You don't have be isolated. You don't have to be broke. You don't have to miss out on building the life you've been dreaming of, but have been almost too afraid to share.

I grew up as a special needs sibling and became a special needs mom. I've broken the boundaries of "average" and built a life that makes...