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

📣Preorder my book 📣

• Amazon
• Books-A-Million
• Bookshop.org
• Barnes & Noble!

More IEP help for you--at home or at school--

📊 Free IEP Data Collection Sheets (for school staff)

📒 Free IEP Binder for Parents

☑️ IEP Goal Tracking Sheets for Parents

🧰 IEP Toolkit for Parents

👩‍💻 Online Advocacy Training

🙋 Ask an Advocate your IEP Question

🧰 How to Collect IEP Data in the Classroom without losing your mind!

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

📣Preorder my book 📣

• Amazon
• Books-A-Million
• Bookshop.org
• Barnes & Noble!

More IEP help for you--at home or at school--

📊 Free IEP Data Collection Sheets (for school staff)

📒 Free IEP Binder for Parents

☑️ IEP Goal Tracking Sheets for Parents

🧰 IEP Toolkit for Parents

👩‍💻 Online Advocacy Training

🙋 Ask an Advocate your IEP Question

🧰 How to Collect IEP Data in the Classroom without losing your mind!

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

📣Preorder my book 📣

• Amazon
• Books-A-Million
• Bookshop.org
• Barnes & Noble!

More IEP help for you--at home or at school--

📊 Free IEP Data Collection Sheets (for school staff)

📒 Free IEP Binder for Parents

☑️ IEP Goal Tracking Sheets for Parents

🧰 IEP Toolkit for Parents

👩‍💻 Online Advocacy Training

🙋 Ask an Advocate your IEP Question

🧰 How to Collect IEP Data in the Classroom without losing your mind!

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

📣Preorder my book 📣

• Amazon
• Books-A-Million
• Bookshop.org
• Barnes & Noble!

More IEP help for you--at home or at school--

📊 Free IEP Data Collection Sheets (for school staff)

📒 Free IEP Binder for Parents

☑️ IEP Goal Tracking Sheets for Parents

🧰 IEP Toolkit for Parents

👩‍💻 Online Advocacy Training

🙋 Ask an Advocate your IEP Question

🧰 How to Collect IEP Data in the Classroom without losing your mind!

I'm getting a facelift!

Ha, no, not me. The podcast. Details in this episode.

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

📣Preorder my book 📣

• Amazon
• Books-A-Million
• Bookshop.org
• Barnes & Noble!

More IEP help for you--at home or at school--

📊 Free IEP Data Collection Sheets (for school staff)

📒 Free IEP Binder for Parents

☑️ IEP Goal Tracking Sheets for Parents

🧰 IEP Toolkit for Parents

👩‍💻 Online Advocacy Training

🙋 Ask an Advocate your IEP Question

🧰 How to Collect IEP Data in the Classroom without losing your mind!

Parents, get your free IEP binder: https://adayinourshoes.com/free-iep-binder/

Get your free IEP goal tracker: https://adayinourshoes.com/iep-goal-tracker/

Welcome back to Don't IEP Alone with your host, Lisa Lightner. In this episode, Lisa dives into the rapidly changing landscape of special education and the overwhelming wave of recent changes in the Department of Education. She unpacks the intentional chaos designed to wear families thin, from high-profile firings—especially in the Office for Civil Rights—to the ongoing debate about "returning education to the states." Lisa shares practical advice for navigating this uncertainty, including the importance of understanding your state's regulations, building supportive relationships with school and community teams, staying vigilant with IEP progress monitoring, and creatively seeking out additional resources for your child.

Whether you're feeling discouraged by national developments or just looking for concrete steps to better support your family, Lisa offers perspective, advocacy tips, and a reminder that you’re not alone. Tune in and get equipped for the road ahead!

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

📣Preorder my book 📣

• Amazon
• Books-A-Million
• Bookshop.org
• Barnes & Noble!

More IEP help for you--at home or at school--

📊 Free IEP Data Collection Sheets (for school staff)

📒 Free IEP Binder for Parents

☑️ IEP Goal Tracking Sheets for Parents

🧰 IEP Toolkit for Parents

👩‍💻 Online Advocacy Training

🙋 Ask an Advocate your IEP Question

🧰 How to Collect IEP Data in the Classroom without losing your mind!

Parents, get your free IEP binder: https://adayinourshoes.com/free-iep-binder/

Get your free IEP goal tracker: https://adayinourshoes.com/iep-goal-tracker/

Welcome back to Don't IEP Alone with Lisa Lightner! In today's episode, Lisa tackles one of the most common questions she gets from parents: "What can I ask for on my IEP?" Drawing from over 15 years of advocacy experience, Lisa breaks down the good news—and the bad news—about IEP requests. She explains why there's no one-size-fits-all list of options, and instead emphasizes the importance of becoming an expert in your child's unique needs.

Lisa shares practical tips for finding ideas, advocating effectively with data and documentation, and pushing past the initial "no" you might hear from your team. Whether you're stepping into your first IEP meeting or looking for fresh strategies, this episode is filled with honest guidance and encouragement. Tune in and get empowered to ask for what your child truly needs!

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

📣Preorder my book 📣

• Amazon
• Books-A-Million
• Bookshop.org
• Barnes & Noble!

More IEP help for you--at home or at school--

📊 Free IEP Data Collection Sheets (for school staff)

📒 Free IEP Binder for Parents

☑️ IEP Goal Tracking Sheets for Parents

🧰 IEP Toolkit for Parents

👩‍💻 Online Advocacy Training

🙋 Ask an Advocate your IEP Question

🧰 How to Collect IEP Data in the Classroom without losing your mind!

Lisa Lightner is a dedicated advocate for parents navigating the IEP process. With her trusty mini desk fan by her side—an essential comfort for women of a certain age—Lisa brings warmth, humor, and understanding to her work.

Through her podcast and social media reels, stories, and videos, she shares practical advice and encouragement for families working through IEP meetings and advocacy efforts. Lisa’s mission is to help parents feel supported, reminding them they are not failures if results take time and that their persistence truly matters.

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

📣Preorder my book 📣

• Amazon
• Books-A-Million
• Bookshop.org
• Barnes & Noble!

More IEP help for you--at home or at school--

📊 Free IEP Data Collection Sheets (for school staff)

📒 Free IEP Binder for Parents

☑️ IEP Goal Tracking Sheets for Parents

🧰 IEP Toolkit for Parents

👩‍💻 Online Advocacy Training

🙋 Ask an Advocate your IEP Question

🧰 How to Collect IEP Data in the Classroom without losing your mind!