Ask the Advocate: Dexcom Denials, Aides, Accommodations & LRE Truths

This week’s Ask the Advocate is packed with real questions from parents, teachers, and advocates across the country—and straight answers you won’t hear anywhere else.From Denton ISD removing a child’s Dexcom, to confusion around aides, accommodations, and placement, Karen dives into the hard truths with humor, clarity, and strategy. You’ll hear powerful discussions on:✅ Why “sitting in a class” isn’t the same as meaningful benefit in LRE✅ What to do when paras are delivering special education instruction (state complaint time)✅ The truth about dismantling the U.S. Department of Education—and why FAPE and IDEA rights aren’t going anywhere✅ How to document accommodations (and why “extra time” means nothing)✅ When aides help—and when they actually hurt long-term progress✅ What to say when schools refuse services like speech therapy or try to downgrade IEPs to 504s✅ The reality of long-term substitutes “acting” as SPED teachers (spoiler: illegal)✅ Tips for parents heading into their first 504 or ARD/IEP meeting✅ Plus: hilarious lipstick talk, flip-flops, and “church pews in Florida”If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed or outnumbered at the IEP table, this episode will leave you empowered with tools, language, and confidence.👉 Join The Academy for weekly training, 250+ hours of archived content, and a community that knows how to win at the table.👉 Watch on YouTube📌 Reminder: We don’t give legal advice—we train and educate so YOU can navigate and negotiate successful student outcomes.“When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody.” — Karen Mayer Cunningham Support the show✨ 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 Epic IEP™ Academy  First month free, after that, cancel anytime. 📱 Follow Karen on:TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationbossYouTube: Special Education Academy🧠 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.)Because when...