James Lange is a CPA/Attorney and the author of 10 best selling financial books that help IRA and retirement plan owners get the most of what they've got. The Wall Street Journal has endorsed Jim's tax and estate planning strategies 36 times! Jim's daughter, Erica, has a disability. Jim's expertise with Roth IRA conversions and the impact of the SECURE Act on IRAs, disability planning, and legacy planning was critical in developing a long-term plan to secure his daughter's financial future and improve his family's quality of life.   Using his family's journey as the base, Jim authored a ..read more

Listen in on the debate about the uses and misuses of IQ testing for students with disabilities and students of color. Robin, Angela and Abby dissect a recent article from the Hechinger report which can be found HERE titled:  How flawed IQ tests prevent kids from getting help in school School psychologists are relying less on testing — but the change is too slow for some" by Sarah Carr and published on March 28, 2024. Please tell us how you found us by completing this survey Email us at ASTALPodcast@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram @astalpodcast ..read more

Many of you have seen the ad #Assume I Can (and Maybe I Will)  created by the organization CoorDown.  Robin, Abby and Angela talk about the power of this campaign on the social inclusion movement. Check out some of the previous campaigns created by this organization (Esp. The Hiring Chain).  Please tell us how you found us by completing this survey Email us at ASTALPodcast@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram @astalpodcast ..read more

In this (almost) solo episode, Abby analyzes a new article that was published on March 6, 2024:  America’s Most Popular Autism Therapy May Not Work — and May Seriously Harm Patients’ Mental Health A Perspective From Today's ABA- Dr. Hanley BCBA Ethics code Please tell us how you found us by completing this survey Email us at ASTALPodcast@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram @astalpodcast ..read more

Listen in on the discussion with Elizabeth C. Hamblet the author of  7 Steps to College Success: A Pathway for Students with Disabilities. 7 Steps is a well regarded book in its third edition that provides important common sense advice for adult students and their family supporters as they navigate through the college application and admission process. Once they are at college, the fun really begins and Ms. Hamblet provides important legal and regulatory information to support adult students with disabilities as they navigate the college landscape.  Anyone who wants a discount on he ..read more

Listen in as Angela, Robin and Abby discuss a recent request from several members of the Brockton School Committee for the Governor of Massachusetts to send the National Guard to Brockton High School. As you can imagine this has attracted a LOT of attention. Here are some articles related to the request and how the Governor responded: Here is an article about the original request from the Business Insider Here is a link to the actual letter from the Brockton School Committee Here is a summary of the Governor's Response (she declined) And finally, Angela was right AGAIN! - the Department of El ..read more

You asked for it......this episode is alllllllllll Angela! Join us as we break down Endrew v. Douglas and what it means for FAPE. Endrew v Douglas The USDOE considers Endrew to be such an important case they have devoted significant resources to unpacking the decision - you can find the whole discussion here: USDOE summary of the case.  If you are interested in a brief summary, here is what USDOE has to say today: "On March 22, 2017 the U.S. Supreme Court (sometimes referred to as Court) issued a unanimous opinion in Endrew F. v. Douglas County School District Re-1, 137 S. Ct. 988. In ..read more

The Science of Reading Progresses: Communicating Advances Beyond the Simple View of Reading Please tell us how you found us by completing this survey Email us at ASTALPodcast@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram @astalpodcast ..read more

The decision to move to a "functional curriculum" is fraught - for teachers, specialists, administrators and especially, for parents.  During this episode, Robin, Abby and Angela consider ways to help teams discuss moving from an academic track to a functional academic track.  Pros and Cons abound and communication can make or break a Team's trust in the process and have a major impact on Student programming.  Listen in while Angela, Robin and Abby unpack the dynamics and discussion points Teams should consider when considering the move to a functional curriculum.  Check ou ..read more

Welcome to the back end of season 4! Join Abby, Angela and Robin as they review how to handle the most common IEP rejections. The editing program was a little wonky this week- sorry! Also Angela's ending was too good to edit :)  Please tell us how you found us by completing this survey Email us at ASTALPodcast@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram @astalpodcast ..read more