What happens when your child has an IEP but still isn’t getting the support they need?
In this episode of Special Education Boss®, Karen Mayer Cunningham answers real-time questions from parents, educators, and advocates about the everyday issues showing up at IEP and 504 tables right now.
This rapid-fire Q&A covers some of the most common — and most frustrating — special education concerns families are facing, including transportation, one-on-one paraprofessionals, behavior support, progress data, related services, accommodations, private school questions, eligibility, bullying, and what to do when the IEP does not match what was discussed in the meeting.
Karen also shares an update about the launch of the Epic Educator Academy™ (https://specialeducationacademy.com/educator) , created specifically for school-based members who need support, resources, training, and practical tools to better serve students.
In this episode, Karen discusses:
• Whether IEPs and 504s apply to afterschool programs
• Who decides if a student receives special education transportation
• What to do when Prior Written Notice is missing important information
• Whether private schools are required to follow IDEA
• When a one-on-one paraprofessional may or may not be appropriate
• How academic deficits differ from para support needs
• What to ask when accommodations are not being followed
• How healthcare plans connect to IEPs and 504s
• Toileting, hygiene, and personal care goals
• What to do when agreed-upon IEP items are missing from the final document
• Behavior Intervention Plans, FBAs, elopement, and replacement behaviors
• What to ask when related services have been missed
• How to address bullying involving a student with autism
• Why data should drive IEP decisions
• The upcoming Epic Educator Academy for school-based staff
This episode is a reminder that every IEP decision should come back to the student’s actual needs, the data, the implementation of services, and whether the plan is helping the child make meaningful progress.
We’re not giving legal advice. We’re educating you.
Join The Academy (https://specialeducationacademy.com/training)
Inside The Academy, you’ll find 250+ hours of special education training, weekly support, and practical education for parents, advocates, and professionals who want to sit at the IEP and 504 table prepared.
Get Karen’s book, The Epic IEP (https://amzn.to/3Ll0Dos)
If this episode helped you, please follow, like, share, and subscribe so more families, advocates, and educators can learn how to navigate the IEP and 504 process with clarity and confidence.
“When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody.”
— Karen Mayer Cunningham
Support the show (https://www.buzzsprout.com/2464872/support)
✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨
👩⚖️ Hosted by Karen Mayer Cunningham, Advocate & Special Education Boss®
Each week, Karen shares real stories, legal insights, and no-nonsense strategies to help you navigate special education with clarity and confidence.
👉 Subscribe & never miss an episode — new episodes drop every week!
🎓 Join The Academy: Weekly live trainings + 250+ hours of advocacy tools & expert resources
🔗 Learn more at The Epic IEP™ Academy (https://academy.specialeducationacademy.com/theepiciep-courses/the-academy/) First month free, after that, cancel anytime.
📱 Follow Karen on:
• TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@specialeducationboss) & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
• YouTube: Special Education Academy (https://www.youtube.com/c/SpecialEducationAcademy/videos)
🧠 Want to level up your advocacy game?
Check out the Advocate's Bookshelf — a curated collection of must-have tools, guides, and legal references every special education advocate should own. From federal code to diagnostic manuals, these are the essentials that help you advocate with clarity and confidence.
📚 Browse now: https://amzn.to/3RiQPLl
(As an Amazon Associate, Karen may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you.)
Because when...
In this episode of Special Education Boss®, Karen Mayer Cunningham answers real-time questions from parents, educators, and advocates about the everyday issues showing up at IEP and 504 tables right now.
This rapid-fire Q&A covers some of the most common — and most frustrating — special education concerns families are facing, including transportation, one-on-one paraprofessionals, behavior support, progress data, related services, accommodations, private school questions, eligibility, bullying, and what to do when the IEP does not match what was discussed in the meeting.
Karen also shares an update about the launch of the Epic Educator Academy™ (https://specialeducationacademy.com/educator) , created specifically for school-based members who need support, resources, training, and practical tools to better serve students.
In this episode, Karen discusses:
• Whether IEPs and 504s apply to afterschool programs
• Who decides if a student receives special education transportation
• What to do when Prior Written Notice is missing important information
• Whether private schools are required to follow IDEA
• When a one-on-one paraprofessional may or may not be appropriate
• How academic deficits differ from para support needs
• What to ask when accommodations are not being followed
• How healthcare plans connect to IEPs and 504s
• Toileting, hygiene, and personal care goals
• What to do when agreed-upon IEP items are missing from the final document
• Behavior Intervention Plans, FBAs, elopement, and replacement behaviors
• What to ask when related services have been missed
• How to address bullying involving a student with autism
• Why data should drive IEP decisions
• The upcoming Epic Educator Academy for school-based staff
This episode is a reminder that every IEP decision should come back to the student’s actual needs, the data, the implementation of services, and whether the plan is helping the child make meaningful progress.
We’re not giving legal advice. We’re educating you.
Join The Academy (https://specialeducationacademy.com/training)
Inside The Academy, you’ll find 250+ hours of special education training, weekly support, and practical education for parents, advocates, and professionals who want to sit at the IEP and 504 table prepared.
Get Karen’s book, The Epic IEP (https://amzn.to/3Ll0Dos)
If this episode helped you, please follow, like, share, and subscribe so more families, advocates, and educators can learn how to navigate the IEP and 504 process with clarity and confidence.
“When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody.”
— Karen Mayer Cunningham
Support the show (https://www.buzzsprout.com/2464872/support)
✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨
👩⚖️ Hosted by Karen Mayer Cunningham, Advocate & Special Education Boss®
Each week, Karen shares real stories, legal insights, and no-nonsense strategies to help you navigate special education with clarity and confidence.
👉 Subscribe & never miss an episode — new episodes drop every week!
🎓 Join The Academy: Weekly live trainings + 250+ hours of advocacy tools & expert resources
🔗 Learn more at The Epic IEP™ Academy (https://academy.specialeducationacademy.com/theepiciep-courses/the-academy/) First month free, after that, cancel anytime.
📱 Follow Karen on:
• TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@specialeducationboss) & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
• YouTube: Special Education Academy (https://www.youtube.com/c/SpecialEducationAcademy/videos)
🧠 Want to level up your advocacy game?
Check out the Advocate's Bookshelf — a curated collection of must-have tools, guides, and legal references every special education advocate should own. From federal code to diagnostic manuals, these are the essentials that help you advocate with clarity and confidence.
📚 Browse now: https://amzn.to/3RiQPLl
(As an Amazon Associate, Karen may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you.)
Because when...