IEP and 504 Help for Parents: Where to Start When Your Child Struggles with Special Education Boss, Karen Mayer Cunningham

Is your child struggling at school, but you are not sure whether they need an IEP, a 504 plan, accommodations, evaluations, services, goals, or a behavior plan?In this episode of the Calm Connection Parenting Podcast, Jami Kirkbride talks with Karen Mayer Cunningham, the Special Education Boss®, about IEP and 504 help for parents who do not know where to start.If you have ever wondered whether your child needs more school support, what the difference is between a 504 plan and an IEP, or how to begin advocating without feeling overwhelmed or intimidated, this conversation will help you take the next best step.In this first part of a two-part conversation, Karen helps parents understand where to begin when a child is struggling at school. You’ll hear how to think about IEPs, 504 plans, evaluations, accommodations, services, goals, behavior plans, and the parent’s role in the process.This episode also speaks directly to parents raising children with ADHD, DMDD, autism, anxiety, sensory needs, emotional dysregulation, meltdowns, or challenging behaviors, especially when those needs show up at school in ways that may be misunderstood.In this episode, you’ll learn:• The first step parents can take when they suspect their child needs more school support • The difference between a 504 plan and an IEP in simple, parent-friendly language • Why behavior may be connected to an unmet support need • Why so many parents feel intimidated walking into an IEP meeting • What to do if you are afraid of being seen as difficult, pushy, or “that parent”  This episode is part one of a two-part conversation with Karen Mayer Cunningham. In Part 2, we’ll talk more about how to advocate at the IEP table, what to do when you feel dismissed, what to ask, what to document, and how to keep the focus on your child’s needs.This episode is also part of the special series leading up to the Mom’s Retreat, It Is Well… Finding Your Calm in the Chaos, happening August 27-31 in Loveland, Colorado.The retreat is for moms raising emotionally intense, uniquely wired, neurodivergent, or struggling children. It is a small, personal retreat created to help moms step away, be encouraged, connect with others who understand, learn practical tools, and return home with more calm, clarity, and hope.A few spots are still available, and early bird pricing is ending soon.Learn more or register here: CalmConnectionParent.com/retreat2026Join the Calm Connection Parenting Group and find free parenting resources at: CalmConnectionParenting.orgSend a text and share your thoughts!Send a text and share your thoughts! Take Your Next Step:  Emotional Forecast QuizVisit CalmConnectionParenting.org to become an insider and receive weekly news. Find information about the coaching program (and scholarships), free parenting resources, and how we can connect.*Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Please consult a qualified professional for individual support. Happy and Joyful Children by Free Music • Happy Children Background Music / Joyful U... Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: https://www.audiolibrary.com.co/free-... Music promoted by Audio Library • Happy and Joyful Children – Free Music (No... ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/ Just Believe