IEP meetings can be some of the most emotional and high-stakes conversations a parent will ever sit through. When communication breaks down, it’s easy for frustration, defensiveness, and even self-doubt to take over.

In this episode of The Whole Child Advocate, Dominique McLellan shares both practical communication strategies and personal reflection from recent challenging IEP meetings — including moments that made her question herself.

You’ll learn:

• How tone and body language shape the outcome of a meeting

• Ways to express concerns clearly without escalating conflict

• How to separate procedural frustrations from student-centered decisions

• Why documentation and follow-up matter

• How to bring conversations back to what truly matters — the child

Dominique reminds listeners that legal missteps and disagreements can be addressed — but they should never overshadow the primary objective of any IEP meeting: doing what is best for the student.

💡 Key Takeaway: Collaboration starts with communication — and advocacy thrives when the child remains at the center.

📘 Reach out to us for personalized advice and read the companion blog at:
www.wholechildadvocacy.com

Advocacy isn’t about being the loudest voice in the room — it’s about being the most consistent and informed one.

In this episode of The Whole Child Advocate, Dominique McLellan shares the core philosophy behind her work: the most effective advocacy is parent-led and child-focused. When parents understand their rights, stay grounded in their child’s long-term needs, and lead with clarity and compassion, meetings become more productive — and outcomes become more meaningful.

You’ll learn:

• What “parent-led advocacy” actually means (and what it doesn’t)

• Why parents are the constant in their child’s educational journey

• How to keep decisions centered on your child — not system convenience

• Common advocacy pitfalls to avoid

• How leadership rooted in love and information becomes empowerment

💡 Key Takeaway: When parents lead with love and information, advocacy becomes empowerment.

📘 Read the companion blog post, Why Advocacy Should Be Parent-Led and Child-Focused, and book a consultation at:
www.wholechildadvocacy.com

🎧 Follow The Whole Child Advocate for weekly support, strategy, and encouragement for families navigating special education with confidence.

Special education can feel overwhelming — not because parents aren’t capable, but because the weight of advocacy often falls on them alone. In this episode of The Whole Child Advocate, Dominique McLellan, BCASE, explores why special education feels so heavy and how building a strong, connected support network can make all the difference.

This episode blends emotional validation with practical guidance to help parents move from isolation to collaboration.

You’ll learn:

• Why advocacy feels exhausting for so many families

• Who should be part of your child’s support network

• How to build trust-based relationships with teachers and specialists

• Simple ways to maintain connection without constant meetings

• Why consistency matters more than being “the loudest voice”

💡 Key Takeaway: Collaboration builds confidence — in your child and in the adults supporting them.

📘 Read the companion blog, Why Special Education Feels So Heavy, at:
www.wholechildadvocacy.com

🎧 Follow The Whole Child Advocate for weekly episodes supporting parents navigating special education with clarity and compassion.

For many children with Dyslexia and other “hidden” disabilities, the hardest parts happen beneath the surface. In this episode of The Whole Child Advocate, Dominique McLellan, BCASE, explores the emotional toll of masking, anxiety, and exhaustion that students often carry silently every school day.

Dominique shares:

• why academic measures can miss the real struggle

• how masking erases internal distress

• how to track behavior and communicate student impact

• advocacy language that helps schools understand emotional burden

• ways to support your child at home with validation and regulation

💡 Quick Takeaway: A calm exterior doesn’t always mean there’s no struggle — focus on the impact on your child’s well-being, not just academic outcomes.

Visit us at: www.wholechildadvocacy.com for tools and supports or to book a consultation.

#WholeChildAdvocate #Dyslexia #AnxietyInSchools #Masking #ParentAdvocacy #StudentImpact #Neurodiversity #SpecialEducationSupport #TheWoodlandsTX

Parent-teacher conferences are more than report card conversations — they’re powerful advocacy moments. In this episode of The Whole Child Advocate, Dominique McLellan, BCASE, shows parents how to use mid-year conferences and IEP progress meetings to review goals, adjust supports, and strengthen collaboration with educators.

You’ll learn:

• How to prepare for conferences with clarity and confidence

• What data-driven questions lead to productive conversations

• How to revisit accommodations that aren’t working

• Why follow-up documentation matters

• How to keep meetings centered on the whole child

💡 Quick Takeaway: Prepared parents shape productive meetings.

🎧 Follow The Whole Child Advocate

📲 Find me on social media at Whole Child Advocacy

www.wholechildadvocacy.com

Anxiety can quietly interfere with learning, behavior, and confidence — especially in the classroom. In this episode of The Whole Child Advocate, Dominique McLellan, BCASE, explains how anxiety shows up at school and shares practical strategies parents and educators can use to support students with compassion and clarity.

You’ll learn:

• Early signs that anxiety is impacting learning

• The difference between anxiety-driven avoidance and noncompliance

• Classroom strategies that reduce stress and support engagement

• How parents can partner with teachers without feeling like they’re overstepping

• Why emotional safety is foundational to learning

💡 Quick Takeaway: When we reduce stress, we increase learning capacity.

📘 Download the Managing School Anxiety Resource Guide atwww.wholechildadvocacy.com

🎧 Follow The Whole Child Advocate📲 Find me on social media at Whole Child Advocacy

The return to school after winter break can be challenging — especially for children who thrive on routine, predictability, and emotional safety. In this week’s episode of The Whole Child Advocate, Dominique McLellan, BCASE, shares practical strategies to help families rebuild routines, reduce anxiety, and support a smoother transition back to school.

You’ll learn:

• Why January transitions feel so hard for kids and parents

• Common post-holiday challenges with sleep, focus, and regulation

• How visual schedules and weekly previews reduce anxiety

• Simple morning check-ins that boost confidence

• Why collaboration with teachers matters during transitions

💡 Quick Takeaway: Consistency and predictability rebuild confidence after a long break.

Don't forget to FOLLOW us so you never miss an episode.

You can find more information as well as resources at www.wholechildadvocacy.com

#WholeChildAdvocate #BackToSchoolRoutines #ParentAdvocacy #SpecialEducationSupport #JanuaryTransition #Neurodiversity #IEP #504Plan #TheWoodlandsTX

January isn’t just a new calendar year — it’s a reset button for your child’s educational journey. In this week’s episode of The Whole Child Advocate, Dominique McLellan, BCASE, walks parents through a simple mid-year reflection process to help refine IEP goals, strengthen communication with teachers, and start the spring semester with clarity and purpose.

You’ll learn:

• Why mid-year progress checks matter

• How to read IEP progress notes with intention

• The 3 steps to re-engage your child’s school team after winter break

• How to identify one priority area for spring

• Why keeping a simple home goal tracker strengthens advocacy
  

Quick Takeaway: Progress is a process — reviewing your child’s growth helps the entire team refocus.

Download your Mid-Year IEP Review Checklist at: www.wholechildadvocacy.com

#WholeChildAdvocate #IEPGoals #SpecialEducationSupport #ParentAdvocacy #MidYearCheckIn #Neurodiversity #504Plan #TheWoodlandsTX