272. What Do We Wish We Knew Before Our First IEP Meeting?

Today, we're taking a trip down memory lane to revisit our very first IEP meetings! Let's be honest—those initial meetings can be a whirlwind of emotions: overwhelming, confusing, and sometimes even a bit intimidating. As we reflect on our experiences, we’ll dive into the questions we wish we had asked, the support we didn’t realize we needed, and the valuable lessons we’ve learned along the way. Whether you’re preparing for your very first IEP meeting or you’re a seasoned pro, we hope our stories bring you comfort, knowing you're not alone in this journey. And, of course, you might even share a few laughs with us as we look back on our IEP adventures! Friends, you’re doing an amazing job, we got this!! --- SHOW NOTES More episodes like this: 39. Back to School w/IEP Experts Vickie Brett & Amanda Selogie 78. Building Trust (Not Barriers) w/Your Child's IEP Team 94. IEPs during Covid-19, ft. IEP Lawyers Vickie Brett & Amanda Selogie 131. BTS Pt 2 - Preparing for the School Year.. IEPS + Special Education w/Ashley Barlow 270. IEP Success: How to Plan, Communicate, and Collaborate (w/April Rehrig) In this episode Heather shares she leaves a note in her IEP, here is what it states and how she addresses this statement: “Removal from the general education environment is necessary based on the nature of the severity of the student’s disability and not the need for modifications in the general curriculum.” The wording here cannot be adjusted so I ask that it be noted that I do not agree with this statement and in fact, I believe the reason removal from the gen ed environment is necessary is because the school lacks the necessary inclusive practices for success in the GenEd setting.” Learn more about Ashley Barlow Downloadable Resources from Rise Educational Advocacy JOIN THE MOVEMENT Join us in celebrating and supporting The Lucky Few Podcast! For just $0.99, $4.99, or $9.99 a month, you can help us continue shouting worth and shifting narratives for people with Down syndrome. Your support makes a difference in our ability to create meaningful content, enable us to cover production costs, and explore additional opportunities to expand our resources. Become an essential part of The Lucky Few movement today!  DISCOUNT CODE Friends, grab your narrative shifting gear over on The Lucky Few Merch Shop and use code BTS21 for 21% off (through August)! HELP US SHIFT THE NARRATIVE Interested in partnering with The Lucky Few Podcast as a sponsor? Email [email protected] for more information! THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS: Thank you, National Down Syndrome Society for sponsoring this episode! Learn more about the NDSS Buddy Walk! Listen to Heather & Micha talk about their experience at last year’s NYC Buddy Walk on 225. NYC Buddy Walk Highlights Thank you, ABLEnow for sponsoring this episode! 115. How The ABLE Act Supports Your Child's Future (ft. Catherine Beck) LET’S CHAT Email [email protected] with your questions and Good News for future episodes.