n this rapid-fire, real-talk episode of Special Education Boss®, Karen Mayer Cunningham returns for another Ask the Advocate session, answering over 50 real-time questions from parents, educators, and advocates across the country. From first IEP meetings to post-secondary transition plans, from AAC devices to due process complaints—you asked, and Karen delivered.
⚠️ Spoiler alert: This one gets spicy (and hilarious). Don’t miss the part where Karen clears up what to do with homework, reveals why she was almost called a grifter, and drops the truth about who really belongs in a 1:1 para situation.
💬 Listener Favorite Moments:
• “Can I file a complaint if an IEP evaluation took 24 months?” (Yes.)
• “Why do you dislike 1:1 aides in gen ed?” (Karen doesn’t hate them—she wants appropriate placement.)
• “What if the school says they can’t provide the data?” (We wait. No data, no decision.)
• “My advocate talks to me every day about mental health…” (Hmm. Let’s unpack that.)
📌 Resources + Links Mentioned:
🎓 Join The Academy → https://www.skool.com/special-education-academy/about
🎙️ Watch on YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SpecialEducationBoss
📧 Get Help from an Advocate → advocate@specialeducationacademy.com
🎟️ 2-Day Advocacy Intensive (Live + In-Person!) → https://advocate.specialeducationacademy.com/in-person-intensive/
*The press conference can be found on our YouTube Channel https://youtu.be/rckw4XBqRp8
📅 New episodes every Tuesday!
Subscribe for more IEP help, IDEA breakdowns, parent empowerment, and behind-the-scenes commentary that will leave you informed, laughing, and ready to sit at the table prepared.
✨ 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 (https://www.skool.com/special-education-academy/about)
📬 Have a question? Email us at advocate@specialeducationacademy.com
📱 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.)
...
⚠️ Spoiler alert: This one gets spicy (and hilarious). Don’t miss the part where Karen clears up what to do with homework, reveals why she was almost called a grifter, and drops the truth about who really belongs in a 1:1 para situation.
💬 Listener Favorite Moments:
• “Can I file a complaint if an IEP evaluation took 24 months?” (Yes.)
• “Why do you dislike 1:1 aides in gen ed?” (Karen doesn’t hate them—she wants appropriate placement.)
• “What if the school says they can’t provide the data?” (We wait. No data, no decision.)
• “My advocate talks to me every day about mental health…” (Hmm. Let’s unpack that.)
📌 Resources + Links Mentioned:
🎓 Join The Academy → https://www.skool.com/special-education-academy/about
🎙️ Watch on YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SpecialEducationBoss
📧 Get Help from an Advocate → advocate@specialeducationacademy.com
🎟️ 2-Day Advocacy Intensive (Live + In-Person!) → https://advocate.specialeducationacademy.com/in-person-intensive/
*The press conference can be found on our YouTube Channel https://youtu.be/rckw4XBqRp8
📅 New episodes every Tuesday!
Subscribe for more IEP help, IDEA breakdowns, parent empowerment, and behind-the-scenes commentary that will leave you informed, laughing, and ready to sit at the table prepared.
✨ 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 (https://www.skool.com/special-education-academy/about)
📬 Have a question? Email us at advocate@specialeducationacademy.com
📱 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.)
...