Life Without a Filter: A Parent’s Guide to Disability Transition, Self-Directed Adult Services & Life After Special Education
Life Without a Filter is a podcast for parents of young adults with disabilities navigating the transition from special education to adult services, with a strong focus on Self-Direction and Participant-Directed supports.
Hosted by a parent with lived experience, the podcast offers honest conversations, practical guidance, and real-world examples to help families feel less alone and more confident about their next steps.
Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, unsure where to start, or trying to understand Self-Direction in your state, this podcast will help you feel less alone and more confident about your next steps—while offering ideas you can adapt anywhere in the U.S.
Episodes
12 episodes
Episode 11: Building your team in a Self-Directed Adult Service Model
🎙 New Episode: Building Your Team in a Self-Directed ProgramThinking about self-direction for your young adult — or already on that path? In this episode, I’m talking about one of the most important pieces of the puzzle: buildi...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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13:05
Episode 10: Self-Determination and Self-Advocacy: Why Both Matter in Transition Planning
Self-determination and self-advocacy — you’ve probably heard these terms used interchangeably. But they’re not the same… and understanding the difference matters more than you might think.In this week’s podcast episode, I break...
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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10:22
Episode 9: Transition 201: A Holistic Look at The Arc of Massachusetts Transition Timeline
If you support a young adult with a disability, the transition from school to adult services can feel overwhelming.In this week's episode, I break down one of my favorite tools: The Arc of Massachusetts Transition Timeline—a resource tha...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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17:18
Episode 8:“Turning 18: What Families Need to Know (201 Series)”
If you have a child with disabilities between the ages of 14–22, you’ve probably already felt the pressure that comes with turning 18. There are forms, referrals, applications, decisions… and it can all feel like a lot.In this week’s epi...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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17:16
Episode 7: What we are thankful for this Thanksgiving Season
As families supporting young adults with disabilities, our days can be full and complex — but they’re also full of moments worth celebrating. In this week’s episode of Life Without a Filter, I share a personal reflection on the ...
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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7:45
Episode 6: Creating a Vision Plan for a Participant Directed Program
When you decide to explore self-direction for your young adult, the first big step is creating a Vision Plan — your family’s roadmap for what adulthood will look like.In this week’s episode of Life Without a Filter, I share how our famil...
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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11:01
Episode 5: Putting Your Child in the Driver's Seat: A Parent's Guide to Person-Centered Planning
Today, we’re diving deep into a topic that I am passionate about: Person-Centered Planning. This concept is absolutely fundamental to empowering our kids as they plan for their futures.Resources:Charting the Life Course: htt...
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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11:56
Episode #4 – October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month!This year marks the 80th anniversary of NDEAM, with the theme: “Celebrating Value and Talent.”💡 Listen to this week's episode to learn more about: ✔️ What...
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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9:25
Episode 3: What is Self-Directed Programming?
Self Direction: What It Is & How We Got HereIn this episode of Life Without a Filter, Cheryl breaks down the basics of self-direction programming through DDS in Massachusetts and shares the behind-the-scenes stor...
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Season 1
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Episode 3
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14:15
Episode 2: Goodbye School, Hello Unknowns: Intro to Transition Planning 101
✨ Goodbye School, Hello Unknowns ✨ When the school “bubble” pops, it can feel overwhelming. Services, waitlists, adult systems—it’s a lot.In Episode 2 of Life Without a Filter, I’m breaking down Transition Planning 101:...
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Season 1
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Episode 2
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9:58
Episode 1: Welcome to Life Without a Filter!
When the school bus stops coming, what happens next? Let's talk about the fears, questions, and realities families face the day public education ends.Welcome to Episode 1 of Life Without a Filter! In this episode, you will he...
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Season 1
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Episode 1
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8:56