Special Education; Parents' Library of Useful Information
This no-nonsense, no interview program is for parents who want to hear research-based information about the IEP process.`
In addition, parents can hear about the latest research in the field that has practical implications for classroom practices.
Research is clear that parents who know more about the special education process are able to get better IEP programs and outcomes for their children with disabilities
(https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10631414/).
David Poeschl is a retired school district special education director and California State University Lecturer. He currently works as a parent advisor with a non-profit agency in Northern California providing no fee consultancy and training to parents in the area.
This program is intended to be a library for parents who need information on a wide variety of special education related topics. Most of the research reviews are the result of questions from parents the host works with.
Episodes
26 episodes
Autism and Anxiety: the Role of Interoception
Interoception, the ability to recognize bodily signals like heart rate, hunger, temperature..., is often a significant source of stress and anxiety in autistic youth. They may struggle to control the overload thei...
Quick Listen (5 minutes or less): Positive Behavior Support - A (Very) Brief and Concise Description
Positive Behavior Support. Maybe you've read all sort of definitions and descriptions, but what it actually is seems still vague.In under 5 minutes, you will get a clear and understandable description.If you then want to lea...
Quick Listen (5 Minutes or Less): The Critical Importance of Accurate IEP Meeting Notes
IEP Meeting notes; a part of the IEP process that is often overlooked, or does not reflect what the IEP team agreed to.IEP meeting notes allow parties not on the IEP team to understand and effectively implement the special program progra...
A Toxic Mix? Neurodivergent Students and Public Schools. Episode One: Students in Crisis
It has been clear for years that the school system in the United States is not welcoming to neurodivergent (ND) students. School is an intensely intimidating and frightening place for many ND kids.As the percentage of identified ND...
Autistic College Students Who Succeed at Competitive Colleges and Universities; What's the Secret?
Many autistic people are twice exceptional learners (2eASD). This means they have an area of unique talent or intellectual strength along with an identifiable disability.The rates of high school failure are elevated for this popula...
Matrix Parents Presents: The Power of Peer Mentoring for Adolescents with Autism
Matrix Parent Network and the Marin Center for Independent Living funded and supported the production of this podcast. Pairing students with autism with neurotypical peers is proving to be a powerful tool in teaching the critical li...
Quick Listen (5 minutes or less): Positive Behavior Support Part 5: The Imporantance of Recognizing Partial Success
In this short episode you will learn why the "almost there" times, when a child makes progress on a behavior goal, but there is still a ways to go, those are the times they need to be recognized and reinforeced for that partial success.T...
Matrix Parents Presents: Expanding Parents' Power in Special Education and Beyond
Matrix Parent Network and the Marin Center for Independent Living funded and supported the production of this podcast. If you are the parent of a child with a disability you have very likely experienced a feeling that you missed som...
Matrix Parents Presents: SMART Goals
Matrix Parent Network and the Marin Center for Independent Living funded and supported the production of this podcast. S.M.A.R.T. Goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Reasonable, Time Bound, are the basis of a good IEP. Ev...
Matrix Parents Presents: Article Review: What I Wish You Knew: Insights on Burnout, Inertia, Meltdown, and Shutdown From Autistic Youth
Matrix Parent Network and the Marin Center for Independent Living funded and supported the production of this podcast. This month we look at a common barrier to successful transition from school-based programs to adulthood for stude...
Matrix Parents Presents: Transition to Adult Life and a Key to Success: Self-Advocacy
Matrix Parent Network and the Marin Center for Independent Living funded and supported the production of this podcast. Self-Advocacy is a phrase that is used often in special education, but often with little context as to what it me...
Navigating the IEP Process: Accommodations
In this episode, the first in my IEP Basic Series, we’ll look at accommodations (and modifications) on an IEP. This is the first in the series due to the critical nature of accommodations to learning for students with disabilities, ...
Learning Disabilities: Attributes for a Successful Life
In this episode, we’ll learn how a group of successful adults with learning disabilities became successful. There are identifiable, teachable attributes they have in common that are instrumental in their ability to lead...
Positive Behavior Support, Part 4: Reinforcement
In this episode we'll get into the most important part of a behavior plan, reinforcement. Learn what it is and what it looks like. Remember, the more you know about special education practice, particularly how Positive ...
High Functioning Autism and Special Interests
In this episode we explore the often times very intense personal interests of people with high functioning autism.Are they damaging or should I actually encourage my child to pursue them?We explore this question by reviewing a res...
High School and Students with High Functioning Autism: Obstacles and Optimism
This episode looks at the current state of education for high school students with high functioning autism. It is not good. It is not good, but there is hope.The students we are discussing experience exceptionally high rates ...
Quick Listen (5 minutes or less): Homework and the Neurodivergent Child
A commom complaint from parents of neurodivergent children is that homework is a nightmare. The stress and anxiety it creates for everyone in the family is often far more emotionally costly than any benfit that comes from practicing acade...
Positive Behavior Support, Part 3: Replacement Behaviors
In this, the third episode in the Positive Behavior Support (PBS) series, the importance of teaching a socially appropriate behavior to replace a maladaptive one a child has been using is discussed.As described in the initial PBS episode...
Positive Behavior Support, Part 2: Function of Behavior
To understand how to create an effective behavior plan* a crucial piece is to understand why a behavior occurs. Without this piece of information, accurately determined, a behavior plan will simply not work.It is more co...
High Functioning Autism and Internet Dangers, Part 4: Keeping Your Child Safe
In this episode, the 4th in the High Functioning Autism and Internet Dangers series, the discussion turns to how to keep your child safe.But not only safe but knowing how to become a digital citizen with the rights and responsibilities t...
High Functioning Autism and Internet Dangers, Part 3: Realized Radicalization
In this episode we continue out look into the radicalization dangers of the internet for autistic children and youth.How do kids go from being "alt right curious" to actually joining a radicalized group? And how does the group supp...
High Functioning Autism and Internet Dangers, Part 2: Yes, Grooming is a Real Thing
In this episode, we look at the right-wing radicalism that has exploded online and its effects in the real world. Ironically, many leaders and influencers in the movement, those who are most active and extreme in their online communities,...
High Functioning Autism and Internet Dangers, Part 1: Who is at Risk?
How real are the dangers online for young people with high functioning autism and who is vulnerable? How do kids get in (and out of) the life that can sometimes lead to violent extremism? What can you do to protect your child and what res...
Universal Design for Learning: Creating Classrooms for ALL Children
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a method of teaching that embeds accommodations for all students into general education settings. Students who are visual, or auditory, or tactile/sensory learners are taught, and the student can sho...