
Special Education Advocacy with Ashley Barlow
1,788 FOLLOWERS
Welcome to the Ashley Barlow Co. podcast! This business has been in my heart for so many years, and I so excited to share it with you. In these podcasts, we'll discuss all things special education from eligibility to implementation of the IEP. We'll talk about basic concepts and dive deeper into specific topics. We'll talk about self-care for caregivers and professionals..
Special Education Advocacy with Ashley Barlow
1w ago
We're working our way, section by section, through IDEA, our federal law. After today's quick podcast, you will be able to say you have been taught Subchapter I/ Part A inside and out!!! Today we'll work through several sections, some admittedly kind of perfunctory, but I try to tell you why they matter to YOU! And then we'll learn about some of my favorite tools ever, Dear Colleague Letters, Policy Documents, and other Guidance ..read more
Special Education Advocacy with Ashley Barlow
2w ago
In this episode, we’re diving into one of the most important but often overlooked sections of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA): the definitions. We’ll explore why these definitions are more than just legal jargon—they’re the foundation of your advocacy efforts. You’ll learn how understanding key terms like “FAPE,” “least restrictive environment,” and “assistive technology” can empower you to navigate IEP meetings with confidence, ensure your child gets the services they’re entitled to, and prevent misinterpretation by schools. Whether you’re a parent, advocate, or educato ..read more
Special Education Advocacy with Ashley Barlow
3w ago
In this brand-new series, we're diving deep into the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to break it down in simple, actionable terms. We are literally going section by section through the law, and I'll try my best to make it easy to understanding, stopping to provide advocacy ideas along the way.
Whether you're a parent, teacher, or advocate, you'll gain clarity on the law and practical tools to use it effectively in IEP advocacy. And if you're in the Membership, stay tuned!!! In preparing for the first two episodes, I have a list of three bonuses for you already!!!! :)
In this ..read more
Special Education Advocacy with Ashley Barlow
1M ago
In today's episode I'm giving you to down low on Interroception, the sense of feeling your feelings and accessing skills and tools to ameliorate them when they're uncomfortable. This is part of a series where I give you little snippets of helpful information in short bursts- similar to how I do it in the IEP Guru Academy products! Over half of my IEP meetings deal with Interroception, at least in small part, so this topic is a can't miss, super duper helpful one! Enjoy ..read more
Special Education Advocacy with Ashley Barlow
1M ago
This week on the podcast, I’m getting real with you. I’ll share my honest reflections on the IEP Guru Academy launch, why it didn’t go as planned, and what I’ve learned about the challenges of advocacy in special education.
Spoiler alert- it was a bummer. But here’s the thing—I’m not staying in disappointment. Instead, I’m using it to inspire a fresh start for all of us in 2025. Let’s talk about why advocacy feels hard, why it’s so worth it, and how we can tackle it together with hope and intention.
Tune in for honesty, encouragement, and a challenge to make this year count—for you, your child ..read more
Special Education Advocacy with Ashley Barlow
2M ago
Want to learn about interoception in 20 minutes or less? I’m breaking it down for you in this episode – literally faster than it takes me to paint my nails! ? Interoception is the ability to sense what's going on inside our bodies – think hunger, thirst, or even when we need to use the bathroom. It’s a critical skill, especially for kids with sensory processing challenges, and understanding it can make a huge difference when advocating for supports at the IEP table. This episode packs a lot of info into a short amount of time, just like our IEP Guru Academy videos. In these videos, we dive int ..read more
Special Education Advocacy with Ashley Barlow
2M ago
Behavior. It’s the buzzword at so many IEP meetings, yet it’s often misunderstood, overcomplicated or downright ignored. Today, I’m breaking it down in just 12 minutes—or less! You’ll get my behavior 'ditty'—a quick, memorable way to think about and address behavior effectively. Why? Because this perspective is a game-changer in IEP meetings and school discussions, and I want you to see just how much you can learn in a short time. It’s a sneak peek at the kind of value-packed strategies I share in the IEP Guru Academy videos!
Resources
The IEP Guru Academy
The Collaborative IEP Membership ..read more
Special Education Advocacy with Ashley Barlow
2M ago
How does IQ testing affect your child’s eligibility for special education services, their disability category under IDEA, and their placement in the least restrictive environment (LRE)? In this episode, we break it all down.
We’ll explore the purpose of IQ testing, its limitations, and how it fits into the broader picture of determining your child’s unique needs. You’ll learn how disability categories influence placement decisions and why IQ scores should never be the sole factor in deciding your child’s educational path.
Join us for practical tips on navigating IEP discussions, challenging th ..read more
Special Education Advocacy with Ashley Barlow
2M ago
My friend, Heather Avis is a fierce advocate from whom we can all learn something. When she and I planned this episode, we chatted about what happens when families (spoiler alert: like hers) have to make the hard decision to access a more restrictive/less inclusive setting for their children at school. We had so much content planned... but then we hit record and we had an even better discussion about so many things that weigh on parents' and educators' hearts. What is the true definition of inclusion? What does it mean to belong? Where do inclusion and belonging intersect? What do we do when w ..read more
Special Education Advocacy with Ashley Barlow
2M ago
Inclusion is probably the special education topic for which I'm hired as an attorney the most often. It's definitely the topic about which my network calls for help. Several years ago, I started recording myself while talking to advocates and attorneys about inclusion, because as I talked to them I'd sometimes come up with efficient, wise statements that were helpful in advocacy. Eventually I took all of that content and made one of my favorite resources, The Inclusion Workshop. In today's episode I walk you through the parts of the Inclusion Workshop in case that's a resource that may benefit ..read more