Family Life Outside of School for Children with Disabilities

Welcome back to Part Two of my S5E23 Schoolutions conversation with Stacey Shubitz. We discuss the importance of looking beyond just IEP goals and accommodations in special education. Stacey emphasizes considering child development and the need for downtime, joy, and culturally relevant books. Caregivers can use these parenting tips to provide emotional support and foster inclusive education for children with disabilities outside of school hours.Stacey reveals the surprising advice a speech pathologist gave her: "Take care of your marriage," tucked between recommendations for two-word sentences was perhaps the most important guidance she'd receive. She shares what happens when caregivers don't take care of themselves (shorter fuses, emotional overwhelm, everything feeling like a catastrophe) and the permission we all need to hear: it's okay to skip therapy homework sometimes.This isn't about surviving—it's about thriving. About curating joy intentionally. About finding children's books that help siblings develop empathy. About protecting your relationships while advocating for your child.Key Topics Covered:- The 130 hours: structuring life beyond school walls- Permission to take "speech therapy vacations" and why downtime matters- Curating joy vs. relentless therapy schedules- Children's books as windows, mirrors, and doors for disability understanding- Supporting siblings through literature and conversation- Caregiver self-care isn't optional—it's essential- Nurturing couple relationships while parenting children with disabilities- What happens when we don't take care of ourselves- Creating safe spaces for family dialogue about disability- The whole child approach to family life💫Check out Part One if you missed it on Monday! 🔗 Get Stacey's book: Make the School System Work for Your Child With Disabilities at  (PROMO CODE EMJAN1533 for 15% off (expires 2/21/26)Chapters0:00 Introduction: The 130 Hours Nobody Talks About1:00 Beyond IEPs: Life Outside School Walls2:00 Welcome Back: Part 2 with Stacey Shubitz3:00 Why Include Life Beyond School?4:00 Permission to Take Speech Therapy Vacations5:00 Curating Joy Intentionally5:30 The Importance of Downtime and Rest6:00 When Your Child Says "I Can't Practice Today"7:00 Vision Therapy Without Homework: A Game Changer8:00 Modeling Healthy Rest Habits8:30 Connection Through Reading Together9:00 Children's Books That Nurture Empathy10:00 Windows, Mirrors, and Doors in Disability Literature11:00 Books for Siblings: Building Understanding12:00 Creating Safe Spaces for Family Dialogue13:00 What Happens When Caregivers Don't Self-Care14:00 The Marriage Advice That Changed Everything15:00 Finding Your Anchor: Partners and Support Systems16:00 Vulnerability, Mentorship, and Gratitude17:00 Resources and Book Recommendations18:00 Promo Code for Stacey's Book18:30 Next Week: Foundational Writing Skills Research19:00 Closing: You're Doing Better Than You ThinkNext Week: Melanie Meehan and Maggie Beattie Roberts are joining me to reveal groundbreaking research behind their new book on foundational writing skills. We're unpacking how understanding the brain's role in writing—from handwriting to executive function—can transform how we teach every child to become a confident, capable writer. When teachers, coaches, administrators, and families grow together, they create schools where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged, supported, and ready to thrive.