Munro Coaching and Advocacy

04/19/2026

I recently worked with several families who felt like their child’s IEP wasn’t actually helping them make progress.

This is something I see more often than people realize, so I put together a short article explaining why this happens and what to watch for.

By Deb Munro, M.Ed April 19, 2026 If your child has an IEP but is still struggling, falling behind, or becoming increasingly frustrated with school, you are not alone. As a special education advoca…

11/02/2025

Anyone who knows me, knows I have a huge heart for kiddos who struggle with behavior BUT condoning, enabling, adjusting the behaviors of everyone else in the child’s environment creates a false sense of reality for the disruptive child and is a disservice!! Teachers, know your rights, know the law, know your districts policy for removing/returning a student to class, and your schools code of conduct. Knowledge is POWER and consistency and accountability are key to a peaceful classroom.

From SCPS board docs Procedure for the Student’s Return to Class; “ teachers have the initial authority to remove students from class for up to one class period and may request that a student be removed from class in excess of one class period.”
“Long-Term Removal. A long-term removal is a removal of a student from his/her assigned class for in excess of one class period.”
For long term removals-“ if the teacher disagrees with the principal’s decision to return a student to class” “the teacher, after meeting with the principal, may appeal the principal’s decision to the level director within one school day” “ during the appeal process the student shall not be returned to class, and the principal will determine an appropriate placement for the student.”

10/15/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1693eZwyHt/?mibextid=wwXIfr

05/02/2025

Love this!

If your child only gets to feel the “good” emotions…
They’ll never learn how to handle the hard ones.

Listen, I get it. The crying, the yelling, the eye-rolls, the shutdowns—it’s a lot. And sometimes we just want it to stop. Quiet. Behave. Move on.

But here’s the truth I wish someone had told me sooner:
When we shut down emotions, we shut down learning.
Because emotional regulation isn’t taught through lectures or timeouts—it’s absorbed through presence.

Your child learns to ride the waves of anger, sadness, frustration, and fear by watching how you ride yours.
They learn it’s okay to have big feelings… and they don’t have to fear your reaction when they do.

And when that kind of safety exists?
Everything shifts.
The meltdowns get shorter.
The connection grows stronger.
And suddenly, you’re not just managing behavior—you’re raising an emotionally intelligent human who trusts you with their truth.

05/01/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/1AMaFf4T8n/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Ever tried reasoning with your child mid-meltdown—and got nowhere?

Here’s why:
When a child is dysregulated, it’s like there’s a traffic jam in their brain. Emotions have blocked the road, and nothing—not rewards, not consequences, not even your calmest logic—can get through.

What they need first isn’t correction.
It’s connection.

Help them clear the jam by offering co-regulation: a steady presence, deep breaths, or even just sitting quietly together. Once their “road” is clear again, then you can talk, teach, and guide.

Save this as a reminder: Calm first, teach later.

Want more?
You’ll find deeper insights and practical tools in my book Guidance from The Therapist Parent, available on my website www.thetherapistparent.com and Amazon.

04/07/2025

Does your child have a disability? A well written IEP with the right accommodations can be life changing! It’s time to set your child up for success for the 2025-26 school year! Currently offering 50% off IEP reviews for the months of April and May! Schedule your child’s IEP review today!
Call/text: (540) 846-8920
Email: [email protected]

03/13/2025

A great comparison of what true empathy looks like. Using these skills lets others know you matter to them. Use these skills with an escalated child and watch the big emotions and frustration turn to tears. Then as they continue to calm and open up, watch them learn to identify the root of the emotion. That’s when we’re able to start teaching coping strategies so hopefully they can avoid that situation in the future. Everyone wants to feel understood. This should be hanging up in every “calm corner”, “thinking spot”, “time out area” in every classroom as a reminder to the adult because in the moment, it’s hard to remember.

Sympathy and empathy aren't the same: Credit to Justin Mecham. Follow him for daily lessons. Original post below: ===== Sympathy and empathy aren't the… | 18 comments on LinkedIn

03/11/2025

When we take the time as parents to build emotional intelligence in our children, we are raising them to be kind, compassionate humans.

Love this!

03/10/2025

The best medicine for mental clarity!
Formula: fresh air, the feel of sunshine on my skin, cardio, yoga and meditation with nature all to myself. Brain fog gone. Hello dopamine, mental clarity and balance!

What’s your fix?

Have a kiddo with ADHD or anxiety? What formula do you have in place for them? (Get away from technology and go outdoors!)