“Data doesn’t have feelings. It has evidence.”
In this high-energy TikTok Live replay, Karen Mayer Cunningham dives headfirst into real-time questions from parents, teachers, and advocates navigating the special education process.
Karen brings clarity, humor, and decades of experience to the conversation — reminding us that preparation beats panic every time.
✨ In This Episode, We Cover:
• The difference between a 504 Plan and an IEP (and why it matters)
• When a one-on-one paraprofessional is appropriate — and when it’s not
• Can you record an IEP meeting? (Know your state rights.)
• When suspension triggers an MDR
• How to think through behavior plans (FBA vs. BIP)
Karen also shares exciting updates on:
📘 The Epic IEP™ (https://amzn.to/3Ll0Dos) (USA Today National Bestseller)
📕 The upcoming Epic IEP™ Federal & State Law Guide
📗 The soon-to-release Epic IEP™ Paraprofessional Handbook
🎓 The 2-Day Special Education Advocacy Intensive (Live + On-Demand) (https://advocate.specialeducationacademy.com/virtual-ip/)
👩🏫 The Mastermind for future advocates (https://academy.specialeducationacademy.com/theepiciep-courses/mastermind-032026/)
🚀 Ready to Go Deeper?
Join The Academy (https://academy.specialeducationacademy.com/theepiciep-courses/the-academy/) (first month free):
You don’t know what you don’t know — but you need to.
📚 Grab Your Copy of The Epic IEP™ (https://amzn.to/3Ll0Dos)
🎧 Listen. Subscribe. Share.
If this episode helped you, share it with a parent, educator, or advocate who needs to hear it.
Because when we sit at the table prepared, outcomes change.
“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 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.)
...
In this high-energy TikTok Live replay, Karen Mayer Cunningham dives headfirst into real-time questions from parents, teachers, and advocates navigating the special education process.
Karen brings clarity, humor, and decades of experience to the conversation — reminding us that preparation beats panic every time.
✨ In This Episode, We Cover:
• The difference between a 504 Plan and an IEP (and why it matters)
• When a one-on-one paraprofessional is appropriate — and when it’s not
• Can you record an IEP meeting? (Know your state rights.)
• When suspension triggers an MDR
• How to think through behavior plans (FBA vs. BIP)
Karen also shares exciting updates on:
📘 The Epic IEP™ (https://amzn.to/3Ll0Dos) (USA Today National Bestseller)
📕 The upcoming Epic IEP™ Federal & State Law Guide
📗 The soon-to-release Epic IEP™ Paraprofessional Handbook
🎓 The 2-Day Special Education Advocacy Intensive (Live + On-Demand) (https://advocate.specialeducationacademy.com/virtual-ip/)
👩🏫 The Mastermind for future advocates (https://academy.specialeducationacademy.com/theepiciep-courses/mastermind-032026/)
🚀 Ready to Go Deeper?
Join The Academy (https://academy.specialeducationacademy.com/theepiciep-courses/the-academy/) (first month free):
You don’t know what you don’t know — but you need to.
📚 Grab Your Copy of The Epic IEP™ (https://amzn.to/3Ll0Dos)
🎧 Listen. Subscribe. Share.
If this episode helped you, share it with a parent, educator, or advocate who needs to hear it.
Because when we sit at the table prepared, outcomes change.
“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 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.)
...