Navigating special education can be demanding, overwhelming and exhausting.
As an advocate, I’m here to work directly with students and families, in order to help them fully utilize available services and ensure children receive support they need.
05/28/2026
The most “Cringe” phrases in IEP meetings usually fall into two camps: dismissive, red-flag statements from school districts that violate special education law (IDEA), and overly clinical jargon that leaves parents feeling excluded or belittled. These are a few of my least favorites, what would you add? Tell me the most cringe statements you’ve heard in IEP meetings in the comments👇
Summer can actually be one of the best times to:
• request evaluations
• gather documentation
• prepare for the next school year
Requests don’t take a summer break.
As your child gets older and demands increase, supports should evolve too. What worked for them in first grade may not work for them in 4th, and you’re allowed to make changes!
05/19/2026
https://canvasrebel.com/meet-arielle-allen/
Meet Arielle Allen We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Arielle Allen a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below. Hi Arielle, thanks for joining
Why Repeating “You’re Fine” Can Backfire:
* Invalidation: It dismisses their very real feelings of sensory overload, frustration, or fear.
* Communication Barrier: If the child is struggling to regulate, this phrase offers no tangible coping mechanism.
* Confusion: Autistic individuals often process sensory input differently, so what feels “fine” to you may be genuinely distressing to them.
What to Do Instead:
* Identify the Trigger: Assess if your child is overwhelmed by lights, sounds, changes in routine, or a transition.
* Acknowledge the Emotion: Validate how they are feeling rather than denying it. Say something like, “I see you are really upset right now,” or “I know this is too loud for you.”
* Offer Concrete Tools: Give them a clear, actionable alternative or coping mechanism. Suggest deep breaths, a sip of water, or going to a quiet, calming space.
* Allow Processing Time: Use the “6 to 10 second rule.” Speak your sentence clearly and then wait at least six to ten seconds before speaking again, giving their brain time to process the information
05/10/2026
My mom taught me to always stand up for what is right, to lead with compassion, and to know my worth. She lived by example—showing empathy, kindness, and grace in the way she treated everyone around her. She always said her greatest hope was to instill in us a strong faith and a good sense of humor. Those lessons continue to guide me every day, shaping how I advocate for others and how I move through every aspect of life.…oh, and she was a badass.
When a school district claims they do not offer specific services, it is a violation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which mandates that services be based on student need, not availability. Schools are legally required to provide a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE), meaning they must find a way to deliver needed services, such as hiring staff, contracting out, or changing placements, rather than denying them.
Consequences don’t always change behavior.
Because behavior isn’t just a choice—
it’s a nervous system state.
When a student is overwhelmed or shut down, they’re in survival mode.
No access to reasoning. No problem-solving. No reflection.
So if consequences aren’t working… it’s not defiance.
It’s protection.
Shift the sequence:
Connection → Co-regulation → Safety → Accountability
Regulate first.
Then teach.