Welcome to Ashley Barlow Co. podcast! This business has been in my heart for so many years, and I so excited to share it with you. In these podcasts we’ll discuss all things special education – from eligibility to implementation of the IEP. We’ll talk about basic concepts and dive deeper into specific topics. We’ll talk about self-care for caregivers and professionals that support children on IEPs. We’ll discuss best practices, behavior, therapies, and more!
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Does attending IEP meetings full of educational jargon and legalese leave you confused, overwhelmed, and exhausted? IEP meetings and the special education system can be imbalanced leaving you on your own against a table of educators. That’s ok, many parents are unfamiliar with the educational services available for their child and are unsure of what to ask for in IEP meetings. Maybe you’re looking for the special education process to be broken down in a relatable way by someone who ”gets” th ...
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When Inclusion Doesn't Work With Heather Avis from The Lucky Few
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My friend, Heather Avis is a fierce advocate from whom we can all learn something. When she and I planned this episode, we chatted about what happens when families (spoiler alert: like hers) have to make the hard decision to access a more restrictive/less inclusive setting for their children at school. We had so much content planned... but then we …
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Preparing to Meet Your Attorney to Advocate for the First Time
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Repeat after me... Time is Money! Most attorneys and advocates charge by the hour, and regardless of their hourly rate, we'd all like more Benjamins in our pockets. If you're seeing an attorney or advocate, you're also likely struggling to get your child the right IEP/504 supports, which is horrendously important. And your kids are so, so deserving…
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You Don't Have to Do Special Education Alone
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Did you know that people are more liked if they ask for help? There's tons of research behind that. I think it's normal to dive deep into ourselves - to go down all of the rabbit holes - to stick our heads in the sand - to withdraw- especially when the burden of advocating for our kids with disabilities increases. But the fact remains that we don't…
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Igniting the Fire: Finding Inspiration for your Advocacy
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Sometimes you just can't even. Am I right?! We've all been there... we know we should be more involved in our children's IEP teams and to collaborate more with them, but gosh, we are just so checked out. It's okay, friends. It happens to the best of us, and it's likely a super normal thing to occur. In today's episode I talk about a lull in my moti…
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Tried and True Tips for Dealing With School Anxiety
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There are two types of kids- those that are excited to go back to school and those that aren't! While I completely believe that we can hold space for allllllll sorts of emotions around school attendance, I also know that society doesn't really make kids that experience school refusal feel "normal." If it did, the #1 question asked of kids in August…
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E10: One Strategy for Parents to Recharge and Learn at the Same Time!
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E10: One Strategy for Parents to Recharge and Learn at the Same Time! In this episode of the Parents Guide to Advocacy, host Ashley Hinkle discusses the importance of taking time to recharge as a parent and highlights one effective strategy: attending conferences. Ashley shares her personal experiences attending the Apraxia Kids National Conference…
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The time to start thinking about the Transition to Adulthood is Yesterday. Womp womp! I'm so sorry! In this episode I'll scare the socks off of you... Just kidding! But we'll talk about things to *think* about NOW, no matter you child's age, which will help you prepare them for adulthood. You'll hear a story about my own dinner table that prompted …
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E9: The IEP Meeting Pathway: Breaking the Special Education Process into Manageable Stages
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In this episode, we dive into the Individualized Education Program (IEP) meeting pathway, breaking down the special education process into manageable stages to ensure parents and educators can better understand and navigate each step. The key stages discussed include the initial referral, evaluations and assessments, eligibility determination, IEP …
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In today's episode we talk about six things I think you should have, know, analyze, and ask prior to writing annual IEP goals. The list is short, simple, and definitely not intimidating, but it will undoubtedly make a big difference in your next IEP meeting.Av Ashley Barlow
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E8:Characteristics of an incredible Early Intervention Service Provider (Speech, Occupational, Physical Therapies)
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E8: Characteristics of an Incredible Early Intervention Service Provider (Speech, Occupational, Physical Therapies) In this episode, Ashley Hinkle discusses the essential characteristics that make an incredible early intervention service provider. From collaboration with parents to developing personal connections and focusing on customized therapy,…
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Inclusion is probably the special education topic for which I'm hired as an attorney the most often. It's definitely the topic about which my network calls for help. Several years ago, I started recording myself while talking to advocates and attorneys about inclusion, because as I talked to them I'd sometimes come up with efficient, wise statement…
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E7: What is Neurodivergence? Learning about your Child’s Unique Wiring with a Strengths-based Perspective
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Av Ashley Hinkle
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Wouldn't it be amazing if you had someone else to build your IEP Binder? Fill-in-the-blank guides to communicate with your school, the straight and narrow on legal and educational topics, and tutorials on navigating things like inclusion and behavior interventions are coming your way in the ABClub IEP Binder! In today's episode I walk you through s…
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My Facebook memories have been making me feel guilty as of late. Now that I'm elbow deep in Science of Reading and Orton Gillinghma, I watch some of the things I used to do with Jack and cringe. In today's episode I talk to you a little about our past in reading and then offer the solution of decodable readers. I hope this helps you make your summe…
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Employment and Transition with Lisa Hernandez
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At this year's COPAA conference I met attorney, Lisa Hernandez, at the coffee bar, and in about 3 sentences, she blew my mind on the topic of employment of people with disabilities. I took her card and invited her on the podcast immediately! If your kid is transition-aged (yes, that's ALL of you in my opinion), you're going to LOVE thinking about e…
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How to Discipline a Child with Autism and other Types of Neurodivergence
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Embracing Neurodivergent Parenting: Discipline, Acceptance, and Support This script emphasizes understanding and accepting behaviors as manifestations of a child's disability. It encourages parents to rewire their perspectives, adopt neurodivergent affirming practices, and provide unwavering support. The script highlights the necessity of showing s…
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COPAA Conversations: Part 03, David Jefferson
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Today we wrap up the COPAA series with a really great conversation with David Jefferson, the President of the Board of Directors. David's journey to advocacy from the corporate world is super interesting and relatable, and you'll learn how he built a large advocacy business in a few short years. David's got a heart for advocacy - and the right tool…
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The Domino Effect: Escaping Chaos and Finding Stability
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The Parents Guide to Advocacy: Empowering Resilient Families In this episode of 'The Parents Guide to Advocacy,' host Ashley Hinkle shares her mission to equip parents with the tools needed to advocate for their children's unique educational needs. Reflecting on personal experiences, Ashley discusses the challenges of raising neurodivergent childre…
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COPAA Conversations: Part 02, Amy Bonn
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If you've ever wanted to crawl inside my brain to have a conversation on special education advocacy, law, and practice, here's your chance. Amy Bonn, consulting attorney, with COPAA, speaks. my. language. Amy and I have a hearty conversation about our jobs as special education attorneys, and it's just too good! Sometimes while I record with guests,…
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Proactive Parenting: Equipping your Child to Shut Down Bullying
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Empowering Parents: Advocacy for Neurodivergent Children Ashley Hinkle hosts a comprehensive guide for parents on advocacy for neurodivergent children, focusing on equipping and empowering them to advocate for their children's unique educational needs. Ashley discusses the challenges and successes of raising neurodivergent children, specifically ad…
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One Skill that will Benefit your Child for the Rest of their Life
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Resilience starts with a strong foundation, and a primary caregiver who is safe, stable, consistent, and loving. Resilience is not just surviving, it's thriving in life after the negative event; it’s more than bouncing back or getting back up. Resilience results in: -Increased motivation -Positive outlook -More focus on problem-solving -Flexible th…
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One of the Most Helpful and Humbling Acts as a Parent
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So, here is the most helpful and humbling thing I keep coming back to in different seasons of life: challenges reveal the areas that I need to grow in myself. It’s humbling because we have to look at ourselves as a contributor to our struggle. And, it’s helpful because when we acknowledge what we bring to the table, then we can address the underlyi…
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Why a Parent’s Guide to Advocacy is Needed
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Before having my children, I was an elementary teacher and reading specialist. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a Master’s in Reading Education. For years, I participated in IEP meetings as a general education teacher. I advocated for my students to receive intervention services and created my own accommodations and modificati…
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COPAA Conversations: Part 01, Denise Marshall
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Today we roll out a new series on the podcast called COPAA Conversations by chatting with Denise Marshall, the CEO of the Council of Parents, Attorneys, and Advocates. COPAA’s mission is to protect and enforce the legal and civil rights of students with disabilities and their families. The organization offers trainings, an amazing conference, publi…
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Negotiation Strategies Straight Out of Psychology
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Ever feel like you need to up the ante on your Negotiation but feel stuck in how to do that? How about a tool that psychologists use to help people get to the root of their own struggles? In today's episode we're going to dive a little deeper into a concept I call "Tactical Empathy," and we'll work on validating the emotions of all of the people at…
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One Crucial Mistake Parents Make In IEP Meetings
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We've all been there. The IEP Meeting is going well. Everyone is smiling, the computer system is working, the child is making progress. Then... (record scratch)... things go sideways. In today's episode I talk about one common IEP Pitfall, and it's so obvious. Fortunately, the solution is also super obvious and easy, so I'll walk you through that, …
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IEP Meeting Strategy: Suggesting IEP Edits
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One of my most favorite and successful strategies has very little to do with negotiation strategy. Rather, it is founded in a desire to make meetings as efficient as possible... but it has a huge positive impact. In today's episode I share my tried and true strategy of requesting a draft of an IEP prior to the meeting and then submitting written qu…
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Practical Arguments For Inclusion Cases
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I talk to about one professional a week about an Inclusion case. Attorneys, advocates, outpatient therapists, social workers, pediatricians, and so many other professionals have questions about Inclusion. I'm not only honored that these colleagues call me, but I'm also always excited to geek out about Inclusion and to provide my insight. The only g…
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What Happens In Special Education Anyway?
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I like to say that the "heart and soul" of special education is the specially designed instruction. This is the instruction that is supposed to be uniquely tailored to the child's needs. This should be drastically different from the accommodations and modifications that students on IEPs get in their general education classrooms and other environmen…
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Oh, the emails I got! I posted about IEEs in my stories a few weeks ago, and I got so many messages from professionals asking about them. I took those questions as a sign that we needed to spend a second more on IEEs here on the pod. So, let's take a step backwards and hammer in on a few basics on Individual Education Evaluations. Fact One: They're…
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Last week I attended the COPAA Conference, and a session on IEEs, presented by esteemed VA SPED attorney, Melissa Waugh, I had an epiphany about cognitive testing. Many of my clients that have kids with Down syndrome and other intellectual and developmental disabilities shy away from cognitive/ IQ testing. In this episode, we'll ponder (yet another…
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What is Specially Designed Instruction?
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Last week I presented at COPAA, the Counsel for Parents, Attorneys, and Advocates, which is my favorite conference of the year. The topic of my presentation matches this week's podcast topic. Maybe soon I'll invite my co-presenter, the amazing Melissa Waugh, from Virginia's famous and wonderful firm, The Belkowitz Firm, on to the pod. But for now, …
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Naturopathic Medicine and Your Family with Nina Marie Rueda
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I’ve been on a health journey since I broke my back at the age of 15. I quickly learned that my body responds to natural remedies really, really well. While I started with massage and movement, the onset of my autoimmune symptoms in my 30s led me to exploring nutrition, acupuncture, meditation, and so many more “alternative” medicine options. That’…
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Everything No One Tells You About Parenting a Disabled Child with Kelley Coleman
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If your brain gets overwhelmed with all of the tasks, and if you soul likes lists, this episode is for you! Diagnosis, Therapies, Advocacy, Inclusion, Caregiving... Oh My! In Kelley Coleman's new book, which shares the name of this episode, she shares insights, including advice from experts, on each of those topics (and several others). Her advice …
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Katie Larew's Approach to Thriving with Dyslexia
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Not only do I love where our friend, Katie Larew, lives (#SoCal)... I love EVERYthing Katie Larew shares over at Assistive Technology for Dyslexia! AT is such a wide-ranging topic, and AT supports can positively impact outcomes for SO many students. However, there remain so many myths about and impediments to getting good technological supports at …
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Passionate Inclusion with Suzanne Lezotte
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Sometimes you meet somehow whose life parallels yours so significantly that its hard to believe. If you've had any discussions regarding inclusion at your school, you're going to want to listen to what Suzanne Lezotte has to say in today's episode. Suzanne feels so passionate about inclusive practices that she wrote a book, "Raising Owen: An Extra-…
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We're keeping with our theme of caregiver supports this week... but today we're also focusing on supporting our children. This week's conversation is one of my favorites of all time. Lauren McKenzie is the real deal. She's a former teacher (yes, she's taught every grade from K-12... I told ya she's the real deal), and now she's a coach that helps p…
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Taming Your Stress with Bryan Holyfield
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When I planned our Conference this year, I knew I wanted at least one person that could not only talk about caregiver fatigue and teacher burn out but also to provide us with strategies! And that's how I found Bryan Holyfield! Bryan's own journey as teacher-turned-trainer and his experience in helping parents that are struggling to manage all the t…
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Inclusion Revolution: Kayla Coburn's Vision for Empowering IEP Teamwork and Crafting Inclusive Education Opportunities
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Inclusion Starts Now? Yes please! That’s the name of my guest, Kayla Coburn’s, business, and it’s the name of my mantra for Jack’s Kindergarten Year! I can’t wait for you to meet special educator and consultant, Kayla Coburn, who is so passionate and similarly-minded about inclusive education. Her ideas and experiences are so valuable, and she’s do…
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Passion for Progress: Dr. Tay on Behavior Supports, Pathological Demand Avoidance, and the Future of Special Education Advocacy
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Ever wanna hear two people that are so passionate about special education that they sometimes lost sleep over it geek out over it?! Taylor Day’s energy for supporting students with autism is contagious – so contagious, in fact, that she is one of our very few repeat guests on the podcast, AND I’ve invited her to present at our Special Education & A…
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Trauma-Informed Triumphs: A Chat with Abigail Moehringer on Transforming School Environments
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Join me as I talk to Conference presenter, Abigail Moehringer of Mrs. Moe’s Modifications. Abigail and I explore Trauma Informed practices at school, behavior supports, and so much more in this short-but-power-packed episode that you are not going to want to miss. There were so many times that she was talking that I wanted to interrupt and say, “Ye…
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Helping Parents of Students on 504 Plans
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In this episode, we're diving deep into the essential things parents and caregivers need to know about 504 plans for their amazing kids. 🌟 Whether you're navigating the process, advocating for your child, or ensuring a smooth transition, we've got you covered! 🤝 Tune in for expert insights, practical tips, and empowering stories. 💪 Let's empower pa…
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One Advocacy Tip You’ll Want in Your Toolbox
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You know when you have that feeling at an IEP meeting? The one where you want to stomp your feet and say, “Listen to me!” Yep, that’s awful, isn’t it?! In today’s episode I talk about the one characteristic parents that survive that moment have. How can your attitude, your spirit, your collaboration change the vibe of your IEP meeting?! That’s what…
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Coming to you live (actually recorded) from my kitchen!!! And my desk. And my bathroom. With an episode on getting it all done! In today’s episode, which is the second in our Parent Series, I’m giving you one quick tip on how I pay attention to my own needs with a particular strategy. It has to do with my calendar, and you’re going to want to try i…
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Today we welcome our outstanding tutor and Coach, Marissa Rothermel, to the podcast. Riss excels at providing behavior coaching to parents, and in this episode, she and I dive into what coaching looks like, behavior, support, parenting, ideas, and so, so much more! Riss has an energy that is contagious and uplifting, perfect for a busy holiday week…
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You know those moms that are so wise that you wish you could just sit at the counters and watch them, parent? Wisdom abounds with the first guest in our Parent Series, Ellen Snow! Have a listen as my friend Ellen, explains an epiphany she had in parenting her son, Henry, who has Down syndrome. This one lesson - and so many more that she shares in t…
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Parenting a Spicy One with Mary Van Geffen
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If you don’t know Mary Van Geffen, you’re going to want to! This was the kind of conversation that I thought about for a week after! Mary Van Geffen is the international parenting coach for moms of Spicy Ones. She helps people who are highly competent in life but overwhelmed by motherhood to lean into the spiritual discipline of staying calm and cu…
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We understand that this stage of your child's life can be especially challenging, and we're here to provide valuable insights and practical tips. 👂 Listen in to discover: 🌟 Effective coping strategies tailored for your child's unique needs. 🌟 How to promote open communication and emotional awareness. 🌟 Building resilience in the face of adversity. …
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Principals Taking a Hands-On Approach in IEP Meetings
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In this episode, we delve into the pivotal role principals play in special education, showcasing how their leadership supercharges our IEP (Individualized Education Program) teams. 🌈✨ You know I always say that we have to go to the decision-makers… often times that’s the principal. Discover how these leaders empower our educators, parents, and stud…
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Join us in our latest podcast episode as we unravel the fascinating realm of neuropsychology and how it can be a lifeline for parents navigating IEPs and special education. 🔬 In this episode, you'll learn: What exactly neuropsychologists do and how they assess brain-behavior connections. How they can be your allies in understanding and supporting y…
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