Podcast
The Collaborative IEP
Hosted by Ashley Barlow · EN
Welcome to The Collaborative IEP 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 that support children on IEPs. We’ll discuss best practices, behavior, therapies, and more!
15episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
School People Bullying You?
Jan 2700:25:56Tap to summarizeOkay, "bullying" may be a strong term, but we've all been there. Advocating for your child can feel overwhelming—especially when you’re being told “this is just how it is.” In this episode, in which I again take us back to the roots of The Collaborative IEP, we refocus on the advocacy and negotiation skills parents need when school teams hold the power and control the narrative. While we often focus on practice and interventions, this episode zeroes in on what to do when school staff present information as unquestionable fact—and parents are left feeling talked over, dismissed, or subtly bullied. It comes from one of my first webinars I ever presented here at The Collaborative IEP, Simple Solutions to Seven Sticky IEP Situations!!!! Using real-world examples I see daily in my advocacy and legal work, I walk through practical, accessible strategies for bringing conversations back to objectivity. From asking for data and documentation, to using the IEP’s structure strategically, to leveraging videos, research, and records requests, this episode is about reclaiming your footing at the IEP table.In this episode, I cover:The three core skills every parent advocate needsWhy power imbalances make advocacy so hardHow schools often “tell parents how it is”—and what to do about itPractical ways to bring conversations back to objectivityHow to use the IEP process strategically to support your goalsIf you’ve ever left an IEP meeting feeling confused, steamrolled, or unsure how to push back without blowing things up, this episode will help you reset, refocus, and advocate with clarity and confidence—heating pad and all.
Transcribe →One Tried and True Super Successful Strategy for Mediations
Jan 2000:25:14Tap to summarizeAdvocating for your child can feel overwhelming—even when you know a lot. In this episode, I come back to the roots of The Collaborative IEP and refocus on the advocacy side of special education.I revisit the three skills I believe are essential to advocating successfully for your child: understanding special education law, understanding special education practice, and having strong advocacy and negotiation skills. While we’ve spent a lot of time on practice, this episode zeroes in on the third skill—negotiation.I walk through a mediation strategy I use to avoid piecemeal decision-making and protect flexibility during negotiations. Using a real-world example, I explain why resolving issues one at a time can limit outcomes and how a more strategic, visual approach can lead to better results at the IEP table.In this episode, I cover:The three core skills every parent advocate needsWhy negotiation strategy matters in special educationHow mediation works in special education disputesA practical strategy for keeping all issues on the table during negotiationIf you’re feeling stuck, frustrated, or like you’re missing something in your advocacy, this episode will help you refocus on the skills that actually move the needle.
Transcribe →3 Skills Every Parent Advocate Needed
Jan 1300:40:54Tap to summarizeAdvocating for your child can feel overwhelming—even when you know a lot. In this episode, I go back to the roots of The Collaborative IEP to break down the three essential skills every parent advocate needs to navigate special education with more confidence and less burnout.Along the way, I share a very real “life lately” check-in, including the challenges of an unstructured holiday break, the emotional weight of comparison, and why even experienced advocates can feel knocked off their feet when it comes to their own kids.You’ll learn:Why understanding special education law matters (and how to learn it without drowning in statutes)How to build working knowledge of teaching practices and disability impacts—even if you’re not an expertThe overlooked but critical role of advocacy and negotiation strategy at the IEP tableThis episode is equal parts practical guidance, honest reflection, and reassurance that you’re not doing this wrong—you’re doing something hard. Whether you’re brand new to advocacy or deep into the DIY phase, this conversation will help you refocus on the skills that actually move the needle for your child.You’re not alone. And you don’t have to figure this out all by yourself.And PS. I accidentally said Ray Nelson is speaking at the Conference. He's not. He's speaking to my Membership later this year! We'd love to have you!
Transcribe →When Life Gets Heavy: Stress, Seasons, and Finding Your Way Back to Yourself with Kara Riska
Dec 900:39:36Tap to summarizeIf you’ve ever looked around at your life and thought, “Why does everything feel so hard and why am I handling it better than I expected?” — this conversation is going to feel like a long exhale.Today, I’m joined by my friend Kara Riska, host of The Special Needs Mom Podcast and a seasoned coach who helps mothers navigate the emotional load of raising children with disabilities. What started as a totally different recording plan (long story) turned into a deeply honest conversation about stress, shifting seasons, burnout, identity, and what it actually looks like to feel grounded when life is objectively… a lot.In this episode, we walk through:The kind of stress that builds slowly — across medical uncertainty, school challenges, family transitions, and the invisible emotional loadWhy you can feel the most overwhelmed and the most grounded at the exact same timeHow chronic stress shows up physically (hello, hot flashes, migraines, fatigue, and adrenal burnout)Kara’s perspective on what coping actually looks like when your nervous system is constantly asked to stretch beyond its limitsThe difference between “fixing your life” and changing the way you relate to itThe role of control — why some of us grip everything tightly, and how loosening that grip changes everythingThe turning point: giving yourself permission to slow down, let go, and build a life that doesn’t run on adrenaline and achievementHow community, connection, and coaching provide the scaffolding most of us don’t realize we needThis episode is messy, real, heartfelt, and full of those “oh wow… me too” moments that make you feel less alone in motherhood, advocacy, and the unpredictable seasons of life.If you’re navigating stress you can’t simply “opt out” of — but you want to feel more grounded, more whole, and more like yourself again — this conversation may be a welcome companion.Connect With KaraWebsiteInstagram
Transcribe →Naturopathic Medicine and Your Family with Nina Marie Rueda
Mar 5, 2024Tap to summarizeI’ve been on a health journey since I broke my back at the age of 15. I quickly learned that my body responds to natural remedies really, really well. While I started with massage and movement, the onset of my autoimmune symptoms in my 30s led me to exploring nutrition, acupuncture, meditation, and so many more “alternative” medicine options. That’s how I found Dr. Nina Marie Rueda, a naturopathic medicine professional, who has a wealth of information on Instagram and her website! I can’t wait for you to meet her! Dr. Nina-Marie Rueda is a Naturopathic Doctor who focuses on health in the perinatal time. After having been trained as a doula by the midwife who is the Director at her local birth center, she went on to receive her postpartum doula training and lactation educator training from CAPPA. Nina-Marie works with mothers to determine where the imbalances in digestive function, hormones, and through blood chemistry are occurring in order educate on individualized needs to regain optimal health, which can look like regained energy after long bouts of fatigue, ridding PMS symptoms once and for all, enjoying self-control instead of moments of outrage at her toddler, strength, and fat loss, among other things like getting rid of headaches and migraines. With her expertise in nutrition and perinatal health, mothers are able to be transformed into the women they want to be.Paired with her training as a labor doula, postpartum doula, lactation educator, and private chef, Nina-Marie brings a well-rounded approach to care while working with mothers and supporting/educating other doulas to do the same.Website: https://doctorninamarie.com/
Transcribe →