Ep. 112 - 'Too Normal' To Be Supported with Alicia

In this episode, Alicia Renee, founder of the IEP Files and advocate for neurodivergent children, shares her personal journey of raising her son, including her struggles and triumphs in navigating the special education system. She discusses the diagnosis process, her relentless pursuit of appropriate services, and her fight against systemic failures in education. Alicia emphasizes the importance of advocacy, both personally and professionally, and offers guidance to other parents facing similar challenges. Her resilience and commitment to ensuring that no parent walks alone into an IEP meeting shine through in this inspiring conversation.What we discuss:00:00 Welcome and Introductions00:42 Parenting a Teenager01:27 Journey with Autism Begins02:55 Early Signs and Diagnosis03:50 Navigating the IEP Process06:37 Challenges and Advocacy13:00 Support Systems and Personal Struggles18:58 Fighting for Services and Rights22:52 Balancing Personal Health and Advocacy30:02 Challenges with the School District30:59 Growing into Advocacy32:05 Filing Grievances and Complaints34:17 Understanding My Son's Challenges36:28 Fighting for Individualized Support41:33 Becoming an Advocate for Others50:38 Advice for Struggling Parents55:41 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsIf you liked this episode and want to connect with Alicia:Website: https://www.theiepfiles.comEmail: [email protected]: https://instagram.com/the_iep_filesTik Tok: theiepfilesResources provided by Alicia:Parent Power: My Amazon Book & Tool List for Advocacy, Boundaries & SupportWhy Families of Color Need to Know About the Endrew F. CaseThe Top 4 Wrightslaw Books Every Special Needs Parent Should OwnIndividuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) | U.S. Department of EducationU.S. Department of Education | The Office of Civil RightsClient Assistance Program (CAP) | Rehabilitation Services AdministrationHome | Rehabilitation Services AdministrationIf you found this episode helpful, please subscribe, rate, and leave a review, or share it with a friend who might need it!Follow Autism for Badass Moms Podcast on social platforms:YouTube: autismforbadassmomsInstagram: https://instagram.com/theabmpodcastFacebook: https://facebook.com/theabmpodcastTikTok: autismforbadassmomsFind more information at:https://www.autismforbadassmoms.com