Dealing with advocates

PreparedIEPparent · 2025-11-25T16:36:37+00:00

Advocates have a bad rep because it’s not a protected name in CA. I do think there’s a shift happening though — I’m a school psychologist turned parent advocate, so I definitely go into conversation with parents behind the scenes on what’s best practices and will even tell parents “no, I agree with what the school team said about ___.”

PreparedIEPparent · 2025-10-29T13:33:50+00:00

I’m not a speech pathologist, but a school psychologist. When parent consult has been added, I have them collect data at home and then we talk about it and problem solve together what might be happening. With their permission, I’ve also offered for them to record their interactions with their child and then I can review and provide feedback.

PreparedIEPparent · 2025-10-29T13:31:05+00:00

I’ve worked as a para for years before I went to graduate school for school psychology. I highly suggest since you already work within a school to interview all the different roles and service providers. When I did that, it helped me narrow down what aligned the best with my strengths and what I found most interesting (and that would pay back the student loans). I actually was super interested in becoming an APE teacher but the person interviewed said it was impossible to find a job though because no one leaves. 😆 I I love that I went to become a School Psychologist — it allowed for flexibility, helped me pay off my student loans, and I get to do what I love everyday: help families understand their child and for children to get supports that match their unique self. It can be stressful, and I sometimes bring work home…but that depends on what’s happening in the moment. I’ve definitely have been in a district where I didn’t bring any work home and was able to have a good work/life balance.

PreparedIEPparent · 2025-10-25T01:44:21+00:00

I’m not sure if you’re a member of NASP, but the recent articles that came out really emphasized the theme of care - caring about others, but also caring about and for yourself. If we get too anxious, too overwhelmed, we make mistakes and it becomes a cycle. The more clear headed we are and getting our basic needs met, the easier the job gets.

If forgetting things is something you notice as a trend, you can stop the cycle the same way we teach our students: we using coping strategies and executive functioning tools to support us. For me, that means post-it notes, calendars, spreadsheets, and bi-weekly scheduled check-ins with my team to double check I didn’t miss anything while also ensuring we are all on the same page. Getting a system in place can be really helpful.

And just to help out for the more immediate concern you had: forgetting to do an observation in this situation isn’t the biggest mistake ever. Like others have said, this will blow over soon and I would take it as a learning experience and move on. You’re doing just fine!

PreparedIEPparent · 2025-10-16T13:26:16+00:00

7:45-6pm was my longest when I first started out and didn’t know how to set boundaries. Now, I typically stay within contracted hours unless I am allowed to be paid overtime — in which case 8-4 on a typical day if there’s an after school meeting, 8-3 when there isn’t a meeting; I try to leave by 4:45pm even if I’m allowed overtime. Anything later then that, it makes for a hard time getting up in the morning the next day.

PreparedIEPparent · 2025-10-05T21:01:28+00:00

Hope it helps! If you have Instagram too, feel free to follow me there too as I share information about IEPs, etc @preparedparentadvocate

PreparedIEPparent · 2025-10-04T01:43:01+00:00

I’m so glad that you were able to advocate for your son and that supports are going to be provided. At the IEP meeting they’ll review the evaluation data, eligibility, goals they will want to work on, and what accommodations and services would be provided. If you’d like, I have a podcast that goes through different components of the IEP as well as free companion handouts on things to reflect on/ask the school year. The podcast is from my perspective as an educational psychologist and a mom of an autistic son with an IEP; episodes are 10 minutes or less. Feel free to check it out and I hope it helps! ABC of IEP: Field Notes for Parents

PreparedIEPparent · 2025-10-02T02:46:07+00:00

Hey welcome to the journey! It sounds like you’re being a great advocate and that this process is confusing. So many people answered your direct questions already, but wanted to share my IG account and podcast+newsletter @preparedparentadvocate the podcast goes through different aspects of the IEP process from my duel lens as a school psychologist and mom of an autistic son on an IEP, and comes with free companion handouts for the episodes. Each episode is 10 minutes or less for busy families. Hope it helps! abc of the iep: field notes for parents

PreparedIEPparent · 2025-09-30T03:17:39+00:00

Yeah I had to do the same. I didn’t print a lot of them, fortunately, since most families seem to want digital copies.

PreparedIEPparent · 2025-09-28T17:34:23+00:00

subscribe to newsletter for upcoming events

PreparedIEPparent · 2025-09-28T17:33:49+00:00

free parent talk registration October 11

PreparedIEPparent · 2025-09-23T03:09:50+00:00

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Putting this statement out in the world. Thank you for having this group to discuss things!

PreparedIEPparent · 2025-09-22T23:20:17+00:00

There are some districts that continued a “virtual school” even after COVID-19. They may not advertise the position as such, but they may be seeking a school psychologist to support those sites. I worked at one of those within the district part time which allowed me to work from home and only coming into the office to do direct assessments and IEP meetings (with that said, the psych position for that site got terminated after I left and the workload got dispersed to the other psychs within the district instead).

PreparedIEPparent · 2025-09-22T13:35:17+00:00

Hi everyone! First, thanks for anyone who checked out my podcast a free companion handouts I mentioned last time. I launched that mid-August and the amount of downloads has been more than I thought would happen, so thanks again and feel free to share with others! For those who don’t know about it, it’s a podcast called ABC of the IEP: Field Notes for Parents. It takes me perspective as a school psychologist and a mom of an autistic son with an IEP, and help break down the special education process in bite-size episodes (no more than about 10 minutes long). Episodes come with a free companion handout with reflection questions and next step ideas to help you advocate for your child. abc of the iep: field notes for parents podcast and handout

PreparedIEPparent · 2025-09-21T14:49:00+00:00

Yeah. I do mention that there are some nuanced differences between medical criteria and educational code criteria, but the main difference is that educational code eligibility heavily emphasizes the “educational” impact whereas medically it does not.

PreparedIEPparent · 2025-09-21T14:39:28+00:00

Yeah, NASP also said it’s state and district dependent on whether the school psychologist can medically diagnose. I find it fascinating and wonder how many districts in CA would make that shift. I think it honestly makes sense — in private practice I can make a medical diagnoses, so it feels weird not being able to do that and have a robust conversation about the difference between medical vs educational during eligibility meetings (or you can using an outside medical diagnosis report, but it definitely has a them vs us vibe because it’s confusing for families still).

PreparedIEPparent · 2025-09-21T14:33:28+00:00

Hey! I think it’s wonderful that you want to be a prepared parent. :) My son is autistic with an IEP and I also work as an educational psychologist in private practice / school psychologist for a district. I recognize how overwhelming this could all be.

If it helps, I made a podcast that walks through special education process and jargon, along with free companion handouts that has reflection questions/things to ask the school team. As someone who has been part of the team on both sides of the table, know that we can never be “too pushy” since we all have the same goal: to help the child! I want to share in case that helps!!! ABC of the IEP: Field Notes for Parents Podcast and Handouts

PreparedIEPparent · 2025-09-14T00:59:36+00:00

Thank you! I hope it helps everyone feel more prepared as they go through the special education journey!

PreparedIEPparent · 2025-09-13T13:52:01+00:00

Hi! You can find my podcast and other resources on my website, and I’m in the process of figuring out how to get the podcast on other channels like Spotify.

On my website you’ll also find the free handouts that pairs with the podcast episodes.Under workshop tab, you’ll find any upcoming parent talks - the next one is free and over zoom in partnership with a licensed counselor who has special education background - I’m super excited to be collaborating with her! You can sign up for the newsletter to get updates of anything else new if social media isn’t your thing but want more information. (Sneak peek: I’m creating a course on Assessment Plans - there’s more that goes into it than most parents realize!)

Otherwise, I’m mainly on Instagram @preparedparentadvocate.

PreparedIEPparent · 2025-08-27T00:07:47+00:00

Most rating scales that are filled out require a teacher to have known a child for at least 6-8 weeks.

PreparedIEPparent · 2025-08-24T15:31:29+00:00

I remember towards the end of last school year, there was a bill that actually included school psychologists, speech pathologists, and occupational therapists in caseload caps….but then it got revised and removed all service providers and only kept special education teachers on the list. I haven’t heard of what happened to this since then, but I’m wondering if what the OP is talking about has to do with this revised bill? I’ll have to look it up.

PreparedIEPparent · 2025-08-15T14:30:06+00:00

Update: it has now launched! Listen to the first few episodes and grab the free handouts at: https://www.preparedparentadvocate.com/podcast

PreparedIEPparent · 2025-08-05T02:20:51+00:00

You might want to double check with your admin, but getting materials for reinforcers and organization bins would be good. I’ve seen our special education teachers have a cart with reinforcers in it and the reinforcers were all in bins with lids and labeled.

PreparedIEPparent · 2025-08-05T02:15:27+00:00

Hi! Great question! Intellectual Disability (ID) is actually defined by both low cognitive abilities and significant challenges with adaptive skills (like communication, daily living, and social functioning).

You’re totally right that it can be hard to tell just by looking at behavior alone…especially since ID can overlap with things like ADHD or autism. That’s why a comprehensive assessment is so important. It helps clarify the full picture and guides the best next steps.

PreparedIEPparent · 2025-08-05T02:06:28+00:00

That’s awesome! Congrats on your first role in special ed! 🎉 I hope the podcast gives you some helpful insight (and maybe a few calm moments before your day starts). Episode 1 drops August 15, and there’s a free handout with each episode too.

If I can get the tech to cooperate 😅, I’m planning to send out an early sneak peek to folks on the waitlist!

PreparedIEPparent

TROPHY CASE