From ESY Struggles to Graduation Emotions: Holding Space for Special Needs Parents
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Welcome back to Don't IEP Alone with Lisa Lightner! As we approach the end of the school year, Lisa dives into the home stretch with timely advice for families navigating IEPs, particularly around Extended School Year (ESY) services. In this candid and heartfelt episode, Lisa shares her personal experiences as a special needs parent, reflecting on making choices about ESY programs, the emotional nuances of milestones like graduation, and the unique challenges faced by families with disabled or neurodiverse children.
Lisa also addresses some of the current divisions within the autism and disability communities, emphasizing the need for real advocacy over social media arguments, and shares updates on valuable resources like her free life skills virtual camp, upcoming webinars, and new toolkit mini-courses for both parents and teachers. Whether you’re figuring out summer plans or feeling the weight of this season, Lisa reminds us that you’re not alone, offering encouragement, practical tips, and a dose of solidarity for everyone in this space.
Don't IEP Alone with Lisa Lightner, Special Education Advocate
Thank you for listening to this episode of Don't IEP Alone. See you next time!
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