Ep. 112 - 'Too Normal' To Be Supported with Alicia

In this episode, Alicia Renee, founder of the IEP Files and advocate for neurodivergent children, shares her personal journey of raising her son, including her struggles and triumphs in navigating the special education system. She discusses the diagnosis process, her relentless pursuit of appropriate services, and her fight against systemic failures in education. Alicia emphasizes the importance of advocacy, both personally and professionally, and offers guidance to other parents facing similar challenges. Her resilience and commitment to ensuring that no parent walks alone into an IEP meeting shine through in this inspiring conversation. What we discuss: 00:00 Welcome and Introductions 00:42 Parenting a Teenager 01:27 Journey with Autism Begins 02:55 Early Signs and Diagnosis 03:50 Navigating the IEP Process 06:37 Challenges and Advocacy 13:00 Support Systems and Personal Struggles 18:58 Fighting for Services and Rights 22:52 Balancing Personal Health and Advocacy 30:02 Challenges with the School District 30:59 Growing into Advocacy 32:05 Filing Grievances and Complaints 34:17 Understanding My Son's Challenges 36:28 Fighting for Individualized Support 41:33 Becoming an Advocate for Others 50:38 Advice for Struggling Parents 55:41 Conclusion and Final Thoughts If you liked this episode and want to connect with Alicia: Website: https://www.theiepfiles.com Email: [e-mail] Instagram: https://instagram.com/the_iep_files Tik Tok: theiepfiles Resources provided by Alicia: Parent Power: My Amazon Book & Tool List for Advocacy, Boundaries & Support Why Families of Color Need to Know About the Endrew F. Case The Top 4 Wrightslaw Books Every Special Needs Parent Should Own Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) | U.S. Department of Education U.S. Department of Education | The Office of Civil Rights Client Assistance Program (CAP) | Rehabilitation Services Administration Home | Rehabilitation Services Administration If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe, rate, and leave a review, or share it with a friend who might need it! Follow Autism for Badass Moms Podcast on social platforms: YouTube: autismforbadassmoms Instagram: https://instagram.com/theabmpodcast Facebook: https://facebook.com/theabmpodcast TikTok: autismforbadassmoms Find more information at: https://www.autismforbadassmoms.com