Blog | Students First Advocacy

Beyond Words: Nurturing Communication Skills in Children with Special Needs

Communication difficulties can be a major barrier to learning for children with special needs. It's important for teachers and other...

Suzanne Palmer

Apr 13, 20232 min read

Executive Functioning 101: Helping All Students Succeed

Executive functioning is a set of cognitive skills that help us regulate our thoughts, emotions, and behavior. These skills are essential...

Suzanne Palmer

Apr 6, 20232 min read

Why Waiting is Not an Option: Early Intervention for Students with Special Needs

Early intervention refers to services and supports provided to children with special needs and their families during the early years of...

Suzanne Palmer

Mar 30, 20232 min read

When Math Doesn't Add Up: Recognizing Dyscalculia

How to recognize the signs of dyscalculia As a parent, it's natural to worry when you observe your child struggling with mathematics....

Suzanne Palmer

Mar 22, 20232 min read

Learning Disabilities and Special Education

What to do if your child is struggling in school As a parent, it can be worrying to see your child struggle with learning. While it's...

Mar 16, 20232 min read

Introduction to Dyslexia

How to identify reading problems with your child As a parent, it can be worrying to see your child struggle with reading, writing, or...

Mar 8, 20233 min read

Eligibility Categories for Special Education

If your child has been diagnosed with a learning disability or other educational need, they may be eligible for an Individualized...

Feb 1, 20234 min read

The Importance of Ongoing Communication and Review: How to Stay Involved in Your Child's IEP Process

This is the final post of the IEP Basics for parents series. Scroll to the bottom for a list of links to the first 4 parts if you missed...

Jan 19, 20232 min read

Navigating the IEP Meeting: Tips and Strategies for Parents

This post is part 4 of 5 in the series IEP Basics for parents. Click to catch up on part 1, part 2, or part 3. Participating in an...

Jan 13, 20232 min read

Understanding Your Child's Strengths and Needs: How to Prepare for the IEP Meeting

This post is part 3 of a 5 part series about IEP Basics. Click here to read part 1 or part 2 Preparing for an Individualized Education...

Jan 12, 20232 min read

The Role of the IEP Team: Who Makes Up the Team and What They Do

This is part 2 of a 5 part series of IEP Basics for parents. Click here for part 1: What is an IEP? The Individualized Education Program...

Jan 9, 20233 min read

The Basics of the IEP Process: What Every Parent Needs to Know

This 5 part series will cover the basics of the IEP process for parents Topics in series What is an IEP? The Role of the IEP Team...

Jan 6, 20232 min read

Do IEP Meetings Scare You?

You are not alone...how to conquer the IEP meeting scaries. Prepare Yourself Knowledge is power and you need all the confidence you can...

Oct 13, 20224 min read

Building Bridges

How to have a positive working relationship with your child's school Win-Win Situation Isn't this what we all want? Building a strong...

Sep 22, 20224 min read

SMART goals

Why your child's IEP should contain SMART goals What is a SMART goal? Specific Any goal worth having needs to be specific. The only way...

Sep 7, 20224 min read

Let Me Introduce...

Start the school year right by creating a fact sheet for your child's school staff Hit the Ground Running A new school year is upon us...

Aug 17, 20222 min read

Back to School: IEP paperwork organization

How to get yourself organized for a successful school year. Back to School time is here and this can either bring cheers or tears for...

Aug 1, 20224 min read