Have a question about IEPs, special education rights, or how to advocate for your child? In this rapid-fire episode, Karen Mayer Cunningham, the Special Education Boss®, answers YOUR burning questions from parents, teachers, and advocates across the country.
✨ From transition services at age 16 (or earlier!) to paraprofessional-only classrooms, related services, and the legal difference between an IEP and a 504, this episode is packed with clear, actionable insight.
🔍 Topics covered include:
- What to do when the school refuses a transition plan at age 16
- Can a classroom be run by paras only?
- Why "extremely low IQ" isn't enough without data
- What’s required for behavior intervention plans (BIPs)
- How long is “without unnecessary delay”?
- When to Request an IEE (Independent Educational Evaluation)
- How to advocate for AAC devices like a light box
- Can self-contained students be dismissed early? (Spoiler: NO!)
- Can a school end an IEP without parent consent?
- And so much more…
💬 Karen also explains why “extremely low” isn’t a legal term, how parents should handle emotionally charged meetings, and what to do if the team “dictates” the IEP.
🎓 Want more support?
Join The Academy for full access to over 250+ hours of training, ongoing weekly updates, and a community that knows how to navigate and negotiate successful student outcomes.
👉 Join The Academy:
📩 Need an advocate? Email: advocate@specialeducationacademy.com
🎧 Listen to past episodes on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.
“When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody.”
— Karen Mayer Cunningham
✨ 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 Academy
📬 Have a question? Email us at advocate@specialeducationacademy.com
📱 Follow Karen on:
- TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
- YouTube: Special Education Academy
🧠 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.)
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