Ask the Advocate: Recess Rights & Tough IEP Questions

Happy Monday, Advocates! In this Ask the Advocate episode, Karen Mayer Cunningham—The Special Education Boss®—tackles another round of rapid-fire questions from parents, teachers, and advocates across the country. From recess rights to PCS plans, and from tardy notes to 1:1 aides, Karen brings clarity, humor, and real strategies you can use in the IEP/504 process today.✨ In this episode, you’ll learn:Why we don’t advocate by diagnosis (CP, autism, ADHD, etc.), but by the characteristics of the disability.Can schools take away recess as punishment?Supporting students in alternative placements for mental health.Do schools need a doctor’s note for every tardy/absence if there’s already a medical order?What is a PCS (Personal Care Supplement) and how it fits in the IEP.How long should it take for a district to respond to an evaluation request (hint: not three months!).Who writes speech/language vs. communication goals—teachers or SLPs?The OSEP January 2011 letter: why MTSS/RTI cannot delay testing.Why a 1:1 aide = a service under an IEP, not a 504.Who can serve as a 1:1—does it have to be a special education teacher?What to do if related services are being delivered virtually.Why EC buses must be door-to-door, not just to the stop sign.Can paras test students? What levels matter?Who actually writes the IEP—and do you need to be a certified SPED teacher?What to do when staff shortages mean IEP services aren’t being provided.Vocational rehab services: what’s good, what’s missing.The importance of data-driven placement decisions.And a reminder—advocacy means being a chainsaw, not just a squeaky wheel.👉 Join us for live professional development every Monday inside The Academy:Join The Academy👉 Register now for the EPIC IEP Intensive – Sept. 27–28, 2025:Register Here 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...