We are entering the crazy season when Spring Breaks will be happening all over the country during March and April. This is a friendly reminder to be proactive in scheduling any meetings, tours, tests, and assessments that you would like to have completed before the end of the school year. The year will be winding down before we know it! We don’t want to see more students fall behind by multiple grade levels simply because assessments haven’t been done in a timely fashion. It’s not just academics that warrant an IEP meeting; social and emotional struggles should be documented and addressed as well. Don’t be afraid to be the “squeaky wheel” when it comes to advocating for your child’s educational services!

Show Highlights:

1. When there is a problem, be proactive, not reactive.
2. Don’t be afraid to raise the alarm and raise the questions to get support in place for your child.
3. Transition IEP meetings should be robust and address ALL the student’s needs.
4. Amanda’s tips for IEP meetings for students transitioning to middle or high school
5. Specific problems with providing IEP services and accommodations amid the current teacher shortage
6. Handling RSP hour shortages and makeup times (Ask for the logs to verify the required hours.)

Resources:

Contact us on social media or through our website for more information on the IEP Learning Center: www.inclusiveeducationproject.org.

Thank you for listening!

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In our final episode of 2025, we spoke with Dr. Doug Bolton about innovative solutions for students experiencing dysregulation. We received a lot of feedback on that episode and had already planned a follow-up episode about the shift in perspective we are seeing in student behavior. We are thrilled to welcome him back to learn from him about student behavior and regulation. Join us for another conversation with Dr. Bolton!

Dr. Doug Bolton is a clinical psychologist who has always been drawn to working with kids who experience behavioral problems. Knowing that being in schools gives him the best vantage point from which to help kids, Doug became a school psychologist and later a principal at a therapeutic school. He is currently a consultant working with families to help vulnerable kids become more resilient. From his unique perspective and extensive experience, he wrote the book Untethered.

Show Highlights:

1. Recognizing rhythms to the school year, especially as a new semester begins
2. The correlation between mental health issues and the school year (for students AND teachers)
3. Our system is stressing everyone out because of the over-focus on test scores.
4. A focus on test scores makes us lose the connective tissue of learning and community.
5. Our best learning requires emotional regulation and connection in relationships.
6. What we know about deep learning and where it happens
7. The value of a teacher who is willing to put ego aside and TRY to implement the IEP accommodations for a student
8. Brain breaks are essential for emotional regulation.
9. Music, art, recess, and vocational planning are brain breaks that help decrease stress hormones.
10. Proactive breaks vs. reactive breaks (Not all breaks are equal!)
11. Being curious about misbehavior (“Misbehavior is stress behavior.”)
12. Disruptive students are dysregulated students.
13. Key takeaways from Dr. Bolton about the power of belonging, connected relationships, and emotional regulation
14. Connect with us on social media with your questions for Dr. Bolton for a future episode!

Resources:

Connect with Dr. Doug Bolton: Website and

2026 has already had an interesting start, with numerous changes to education, particularly here in California. We urge you to check with your state representatives to see what’s happening in your state amid the chaos and confusion of the current state of US education. Your voice needs to be heard! We want this solo episode to focus on the trends we are seeing right now and how parents can be proactive. One of the biggest problems is the lack of services for the kids who need them most; so many are struggling to learn and function, but they are deemed ineligible for IEPs. Join us to learn more!

Show Highlights:

1. Understanding the federal law and its interpretation of IEP eligibility
2. Decisions are made in various ways and based on various criteria from state to state
3. Accommodations and supports are wonderful, but how would that child do without those in place?
4. Being the squeaky wheel has its advantages.
5. What the CFR (Code of Federal Regulations) provides
6. Digging deeper into social skills and problem-solving skills can help identify special needs.
7. Parents can ask for additional assessments and evaluations from their school district.
8. Special education analysis needs to be done from a holistic perspective that considers each child as a whole person.

Resources:

Contact us on social media or through our website for more information on the IEP Learning Center: www.inclusiveeducationproject.org.

Thank you for listening!

Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to the show to receive every new episode delivered straight to your podcast player every Tuesday.

If you enjoyed this episode and believe in our message, please help us get the word out about this podcast. Rate and Review this show on Apple Podcasts, Pandora, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Your rating and review help other listeners find this show.

Be sure to connect with us and reach out with any questions or concerns: Facebook, Instagram,