Understood Explains

IEP meetings can get very emotional. It can be hard to sit in a room full of teachers and talk about your child’s needs. Sometimes, these meetings can feel overwhelming, like everyone just wants to discuss what’s wrong with your child.  
However, if your child has an IEP, or Individualized Education Program, you’ll need to attend an IEP meeting at least once a year. And one important way to prepare is to get yourself ready emotionally.
On this episode of Understood Explains, guest host Claudia Rinaldi shares some tips for making this process less stressful, and what to do if big feelings come up during the meeting.  
For more resources, including a transcript formatted for easy skimming, visit the episode page on Understood.
Timestamps:
(00:55) Getting ready emotionally
(02:32) Before the IEP meeting
(07:51) During the IEP meeting
(11:03) After the IEP meeting
(12:23) Key takeaways
Related resources
10 defusing phrases to use at IEP meetings
Listen: Why we cry in IEP meetings
The IEP meeting: An overview
Navigating IEP meetings

As kids head back to school, it's a good time to remember: not every student experiences the classroom the same way. Through My Eyes, a free interactive experience from Understood, lets you step into a day in the life of a kid with ADHD, dyslexia, or dyscalculia. See their strengths and challenges in a whole new way. Try it out here.
Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

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If you’re the parent of a young child, you may be wondering how special education can support kids during recess. If you have a teenager, you may be focused on getting ready for college or a career. And if your child is in middle school, I have one word for you: puberty.  
Special education can provide services and supports from birth through high school. And on this episode of Understood Explains, host Juliana Urtubey will share how these resources can help kids thrive at different ages.  
For more resources, including a transcript formatted for easy skimming, visit the episode page on Understood.  
Timestamps:
(01:14) Babies and toddlers  
(02:52) Preschool and grade school  
(06:03) Middle school  
(08:44) High school  
(12:24) Key takeaways
Related resources:
What is an IFSP?
What can I do if my child’s teacher takes recess away?
5 things to know about ADHD and puberty
New challenges kids face in middle school
What is IEP transition planning?

As kids head back to school, it's a good time to remember: not every student experiences the classroom the same way. Through My Eyes, a free interactive experience from Understood, lets you step into a day in the life of a kid with ADHD, dyslexia, or dyscalculia. See their strengths and challenges in a whole new way. Try it out here.
Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Many kids in the U.S. are learning English as an additional language. For some, it may be their second, third, or fourth language.  
Their English skills can vary widely, too. Some kids may speak conversational English and need to learn academic words, like “add” and “subtract.” And others may be learning a lot of words in English and in their home language at the same time. So there can be a lot of different starting points for what some schools call English language learners or multilingual learners.    
As a parent, it can be hard to tell if you’re seeing common challenges that come with learning a new language. Or if you're seeing signs of a learning difference, like dyslexia or ADHD.  
Fortunately, schools can help in both of these areas. And part of that help could include an IEP, or Individualized Education Program. On this episode of Understood Explains, host Juliana Urtubey will share how.    
For more resources, including a transcript formatted for easy skimming, visit the episode page on Understood.
Timestamps:
(01:52) School supports for multilingual learners  
(04:32) Myths and facts
(07:47) Evaluations and IEPs
(10:24) Your rights as a parent or guardian  
(12:00) Key takeaways
Related resources
For ELL families: Why and how to partner with teachers
Listen: Understanding common IEP challenges for families of color
How to help if English language learners are struggling in school
 

As kids head back to school, it's a good time to remember: not every student experiences the classroom the same way. Through My Eyes, a free interactive experience from Understood, lets you step into a day in the life of a kid with ADHD, dyslexia, or dyscalculia. See their strengths and challenges in a whole new way. Try it out here.
Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

You and the school may not always agree on every detail in your child’s IEP. If you’re having trouble working things out, it’s good to know your options for resolving a dispute.
On this episode of Understood Explains, host Juliana Urtubey will go through your dispute resolution options and how to handle common disagreements. She’ll also share information on advocates and attorneys who can help you in a disagreement.
For more resources, including a transcript formatted for easy skimming, visit the episode page on Understood.
Timestamps:
(01:39) Dispute resolution options
(05:41) Disagreeing about evaluation results
(08:07) Changing a child’s placement
(09:32) Reducing a child’s services
(10:40) Special education advocates and attorneys
(12:09) Key takeaways
Related resources
6 options for resolving an IEP dispute
Independent educational evaluations (IEEs): What you need to know
10 smart responses for when the school cuts or denies services
The difference between special education advocates and attorneys
 

As kids head back to school, it's a good time to remember: not every student experiences the classroom the same way. Through My Eyes, a free interactive experience from Understood, lets you step into a day in the life of a kid with ADHD, dyslexia, or dyscalculia. See their strengths and challenges in a whole new way. Try it out here.
Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Does your child have trouble following the teacher’s rules? Are you getting a lot of calls from the principal?    
An IEP, or Individualized Education Program, can do a lot of things to help with behavioral challenges in school.   
But as you explore getting an IEP and putting it into action, things can get confusing. Along the way, you might run into wonky terms like FBA, BIP, and manifestation determination.  
 Those terms might all sound confusing now. But in this episode of Understood Explains, host Juliana Urtubey will help you understand what they mean and how they can help your child make progress in school.    
For more resources, including a transcript formatted for easy skimming, visit the episode page on Understood.org.
Timestamps
(00:46) Does my child need behavioral support at school?
(04:20) Can my child get an IEP for ADHD?
(05:50) What is a functional behavioral assessment?
(06:58) What is a behavior intervention plan?
(08:50) Can schools discipline kids with IEPs?
(10:33) Key takeaways
Related resources
What is PBIS?
School discipline rights for kids with IEPs and 504 plans
Podcast: Understood Explains Evaluations for Special Education
 

As kids head back to school, it's a good time to remember: not every student experiences the classroom the same way. Through My Eyes, a free interactive experience from Understood, lets you step into a day in the life of a kid with ADHD, dyslexia, or dyscalculia. See their strengths and challenges in a whole new way. Try it out here.
Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.