ABC of the IEP: Field Notes for Parents

Summer school and ESY aren’t the same thing—and mixing them up can lead to missed services. In this quick IEP Inbox episode, Monica explains the difference between general education summer programs and Extended School Year (ESY)services under IDEA, including: Why ESY is tied to your child’s IEP (not just availability) What to say if the school offers summer school but not ESY When and how to start the ESY conversation 💡 Field Note: Ask early—don’t wait until May. 🎁 Grab the free companion handout at preparedparentadvocate.com/podcast 📱 Follow Monica on Instagram: @preparedparentadvocate 🧠 Need 1:1 advocacy support for your child's IEP, or 504 Plan? Visit preparedparentadvocate.com for a free consult with Monica Trost, LEP #4660.

eXtended School Year—aka ESY—isn’t just summer school. It’s a legal service meant to prevent regression and support students who need consistency to maintain progress. 🎧 Visit preparedparentadvocate.com/podcast for free tools, tips, and handouts. Follow @preparedparentadvocate on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/preparedparentadvocate/ Need 1:1 advocacy support for your child's IEP, or 504 Plan? Visit preparedparentadvocate.com for a free consult with Monica Trost, LEP #4660.

“Do I really need to write that down?” If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s overkill to follow up with an email—this episode is for you. In this quick IEP Inbox episode, Monica explains: Why writing things down helps protect your child’s rights What kinds of requests should always be in writing How to phrase things clearly (without sounding confrontational) Why email beats verbal conversations—especially when timelines matter 💡 Field Note: Don’t wait for the school to put it in writing—do it yourself. 🎧 Visit preparedparentadvocate.com/podcast for free tools, tips, and handouts. Follow @preparedparentadvocate on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/preparedparentadvocate/ Need 1:1 advocacy support for your child's IEP, or 504 Plan? Visit preparedparentadvocate.com for a free consult with Monica Trost, LEP #4660.

If there’s one IEP tip parents should remember—it’s this: put it in writing. In this episode, Monica breaks down why written communication is a must in the world of special education, what types of requests should always be documented, and how written words protect your child’s rights without creating conflict. 🎧 Get free tools at preparedparentadvocate.com/podcast Follow @preparedparentadvocate on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/preparedparentadvocate/ Need 1:1 advocacy support for your child's IEP, or 504 Plan? Visit preparedparentadvocate.com for a free consult with Monica Trost, LEP #4660.

Should visual schedules, First/Then boards, or behavior icons actually be written into your child’s IEP—or is it enough that the team “just uses them”? In this IEP Inbox episode, Monica explains why putting visual supports in writing matters for consistency, clarity, and long-term success. 🎧 For more free tools, visit preparedparentadvocate.com/podcast Follow @preparedparentadvocate on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/preparedparentadvocate/ Need 1:1 advocacy support for your child's IEP, or 504 Plan? Visit preparedparentadvocate.com for a free consult with Monica Trost, LEP #4660.

Visual schedules, First/Then boards, and checklists—oh my! In this episode of ABC of the IEP: Field Notes for Parents, Monica dives into the power of visual supports and how they can make a big difference in your child’s day—both at school and at home. 👉 Get the free companion handout at preparedparentadvocate.com/podcast Follow @preparedparentadvocate on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/preparedparentadvocate/ Need 1:1 advocacy support for your child's IEP, or 504 Plan? Visit preparedparentadvocate.com for a free consult with Monica Trost, LEP #4660.

Not seeing the growth you expected? You're not alone. In this IEP Inbox mini episode, Monica tackles a tough but common question: What should you do when your child isn’t making progress on their IEP goals? Learn how to spot the red flags, what to ask at your next meeting, and why “no progress” is actually a signal—not a dead end. 👉 Download the free companion handout at preparedparentadvocate.com/podcast Follow @preparedparentadvocate on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/preparedparentadvocate/ Need 1:1 advocacy support for your child's IEP, or 504 Plan? Visit preparedparentadvocate.com for a free consult with Monica Trost, LEP #4660.

What counts as an accommodation? In this first episode, I break down the role of accommodations, how they support students without lowering expectations, and how to tell if they’re actually helping.   ✨ Don’t forget to grab the free handout for a summary and reflection prompts at www.preparedparentadvocate.com/podcast Follow @preparedparentadvocate on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/preparedparentadvocate/ Need 1:1 advocacy support for your child's IEP, or 504 Plan? Visit preparedparentadvocate.com for a free consult with Monica Trost, LEP #4660.