We’ve all hit that moment in an IEP meeting where the conversation just… stops. No agreement. No movement. Just two sides locked in place. That’s impasse — and when it happens at school, walking away isn’t really an option.

In this episode, I go back to the foundations of advocacy and negotiation to talk about what to do when discussions stall and you’re stuck in that uncomfortable space between what your child needs and what the school is willing to offer. Using real-life examples, we break down practical strategies parents can use when talks feel frozen.

This episode isn’t about being combative. It’s about being strategic. When school teams hold power and conversations feel circular, there are ways to reset the table without escalating conflict.

In this episode, I cover:

1. What “impasse” actually looks like in IEP negotiations
2. Why walking away isn’t an option in education
3. The importance of prioritizing before the meeting starts
4. How to reframe conversations when you’re stuck in loops
5. Using interest-based negotiation to uncover the real “why”
6. Bringing in new voices, data, and ideas to break stalemates
7. Practical ways to move conversations forward without burning bridges

If you’ve ever left a meeting feeling stuck, unheard, or unsure how to get negotiations moving again, this episode gives you a framework to reset the conversation and advocate with intention — not exhaustion.

Warm coffee optional. Persistence required.

Okay, "bullying" may be a strong term, but we've all been there. Advocating for your child can feel overwhelming—especially when you’re being told “this is just how it is.” In this episode, in which I again take us back to the roots of The Collaborative IEP, we refocus on the advocacy and negotiation skills parents need when school teams hold the power and control the narrative.

While we often focus on practice and interventions, this episode zeroes in on what to do when school staff present information as unquestionable fact—and parents are left feeling talked over, dismissed, or subtly bullied. It comes from one of my first webinars I ever presented here at The Collaborative IEP, Simple Solutions to Seven Sticky IEP Situations!!!!

Using real-world examples I see daily in my advocacy and legal work, I walk through practical, accessible strategies for bringing conversations back to objectivity. From asking for data and documentation, to using the IEP’s structure strategically, to leveraging videos, research, and records requests, this episode is about reclaiming your footing at the IEP table.

In this episode, I cover:

1. The three core skills every parent advocate needs
2. Why power imbalances make advocacy so hard
3. How schools often “tell parents how it is”—and what to do about it
4. Practical ways to bring conversations back to objectivity
5. How to use the IEP process strategically to support your goals

If you’ve ever left an IEP meeting feeling confused, steamrolled, or unsure how to push back without blowing things up, this episode will help you reset, refocus, and advocate with clarity and confidence—heating pad and all.

Advocating for your child can feel overwhelming—even when you know a lot. In this episode, I come back to the roots of The Collaborative IEP and refocus on the advocacy side of special education.

I revisit the three skills I believe are essential to advocating successfully for your child: understanding special education law, understanding special education practice, and having strong advocacy and negotiation skills. While we’ve spent a lot of time on practice, this episode zeroes in on the third skill—negotiation.

I walk through a mediation strategy I use to avoid piecemeal decision-making and protect flexibility during negotiations. Using a real-world example, I explain why resolving issues one at a time can limit outcomes and how a more strategic, visual approach can lead to better results at the IEP table.

In this episode, I cover:

1. The three core skills every parent advocate needs
2. Why negotiation strategy matters in special education
3. How mediation works in special education disputes
4. A practical strategy for keeping all issues on the table during negotiation

If you’re feeling stuck, frustrated, or like you’re missing something in your advocacy, this episode will help you refocus on the skills that actually move the needle.