Inclusive Education Project (IEP) Podcast Inclusive Education Project

We are pivoting from our normal education-centric topics today to take a broader view of the financial side of raising a child with a disability. We want to make sure that families, and people working with these families, have all the resources and tools for a well-rounded toolkit for supporting their kids. We welcome James Lange to the podcast to share his practical insights and expertise.
James Lange is a CPA, a state attorney in Pennsylvania, and the author of nine best-selling financial books. He is a nationally recognized IRA, 401(k), and retirement plan distribution expert. As a result of his daughter’s disability, James developed a passion for helping parents who need to provide sufficient care for a disabled child even beyond their own lifetime. He explains how he and his wife are providing for their daughter’s future and what parents of a disabled child should do right now to ensure the financial future of their child. 
Show Highlights:
James’ plan to provide for his daughter for the rest of her lifeJames’ mission to help parents of children with disabilities optimize their financial assetsThree steps to take right now for your disabled child: Get your child qualified for government benefits in the SSI or SSDI. (James explains the #1 mistake most parents make in applying for these benefits.)Get your estate planning done appropriately with the proper trust or conservatorship option. (Don’t rely on “Joe Schmo Attorney” for this!)Get the Roth IRA conversion strategy done right by a financial professional. (The difference in doing this correctly and incorrectly can amount to a huge difference in available funds for your child.) Best resources for parents to use in their education and planning:Get James’ FREE book, Retire Secure for Parents of a Child with a Disability. Click here!Sign up for Expert Advice for Parents of Children with Disabilities: A Virtual Summit, June 18-20, 2024. Click here for more information about this FREE event!
Links/Resources:
Connect with James Lange: Disabled Child Planning,  Pay Taxes Later, and LInkedIn
Contact us on social media or through our website for more information on the IEP Learning Center: www.inclusiveeducationproject.org   
Thank you for listening! 
Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to the show to receive every new episode delivered straight to your podcast player every Tuesday.
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We are joined today by a special guest, Michael Hingson, host of the Unstoppable Mindset podcast. We have shared a lot of time on each other’s podcasts and learned a lot from Michael’s perspective on special education, especially what he experienced in the very early days of special ed.  Join us to learn more about Michael’s life and work!
Michael Hingson has a unique story. With a master’s degree in physics, Mike is an educator, best-selling author, inspirational speaker, and disability advocate–and he is blind and a 9/11 World Trade Center survivor. When his premature birth called for a pure oxygen environment, his retinas were irreparably damaged, and he has been blind ever since. His parents were urged to institutionalize him because “no blind child can ever amount to anything or contribute to society”---or so the doctors said. His parents refused and gave him every chance to learn, sending him to public schools throughout his life. He earned his physics degree and secondary education teacher credential, going on to become an accomplished salesman and sales manager. He is a coveted keynote speaker and the author of the bestseller, Thunder Dog: The Story of a Blind Man, His Guide Dog, and the Triumph of Trust. 
Show Highlights:
Mike’s story: science, sales, the early days of disability law, and a life of advocacyMichael’s learning process with guide dogs and white canesMichael’s 9/11 experience at the World Trade Center which led to his book, Thunder Dog“Disability does not mean a lack of ability.”We will have Mike back very soon for Part 2 of this conversation, in which we will discuss his involvement in technology development to help many people with disabilities of all kinds. Stay tuned!
Links/Resources:
Connect with Michael Hingson: Website, Unstoppable Mindset podcast, and Thunder Dog book
Contact us on social media or through our website for more information on the IEP Learning Center: www.inclusiveeducationproject.org   
Thank you for listening! 
Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to the show to receive every new episode delivered straight to your podcast player every Tuesday.
If you enjoyed this episode and believe in our message, then please help us get the word out about this podcast. Rate and Review this show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher Radio, or Google Play. It helps other listeners find this show.
Be sure to connect with us and reach out with any questions/concerns:
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It’s a very busy time of year for everyone involved in IEP meetings, for sure! In today’s episode, we are discussing IEP meetings and the roles of compassionate educators who want to look beyond strict compliance to genuinely meet the needs of students with disabilities and special needs. Join us for the conversation!
Andrew Goff taught early childhood special education in five different least restrictive environments for 12 years. He took this unique insight into his doctoral program, from which he graduated in 2017. As he moved into the community college system in Colorado, he is currently the lead instructor at Colorado Northwestern Community College, not far from Steamboat Springs. Based on his life as an educator, he has written the memoir, Love Is a Classroom and is a fierce advocate for “inclusion–early, everywhere, and always.”
Show Highlights:
Andrew’s unique perspective on IEP meetings after teaching across early grade levels and into the college systemThe key to effective IEP services is to start early and not wait until the teenage years.Andrew’s book—and the emotions it stirred up in himThe need for more training for educators in compassion and creativityThe value of teaching assistants in creating a compassionate community in the classroomA focus on compliance puts special education in a restrictive box.What Andrew wishes teachers and parents knew before going into IEP meetings
Links/Resources:
Connect with Andrew Goff and his work: Website, Love Is a Classroom book, Love Is a Classroom podcast, podcast on Spotify, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube
Contact us on social media or through our website for more information on the IEP Learning Center: www.inclusiveeducationproject.org   
Thank you for listening! 
Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to the show to receive every new episode delivered straight to your podcast player every Tuesday.
If you enjoyed this episode and believe in our message, then please help us get the word out about this podcast. Rate and Review this show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher Radio, or Google Play. It helps other listeners find this show.
Be sure to connect with us and reach out with any questions/concerns:
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Instagram–We are doing videos on Instagram, so connect with...

Today’s episode is Part 2 to our recent solo episode about English language learners. We are focusing on the bigger picture of language as only one part of a child’s entire cultural context affecting performance on all educational and neuropsychological evaluations. Join us to learn more from today’s guest!
Dr. Alexander Tan is a board-certified clinical neuropsychologist and supervisor at Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC). His expertise is in the assessment of neurological and neurodevelopmental disorders in children and adolescents. He is an internationally recognized expert and frequent speaker about topics such as autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, and mental health. 
Show Highlights:
Dr. Tan’s background and how he came to the work he does today in private practice and at CHOCUnderstanding language, cultural context, neurodiversity, and why there are limitations and problems with inappropriate assessment methodsBilingualism—a multifaceted construct that always requires “digging deeper”Dr. Tan’s experience with parents’ frustrations at evaluations that don’t show a fair and accurate representation of their childA neuropsychological evaluation that is culturally and linguistically responsive can help avoid major risks.ALL aspects of a child’s culture must be considered in evaluations, including language, nonverbal communication, values, economics, etc. 
Links/Resources:
Connect with Dr. Alexander Tan: Website
Contact us on social media or through our website for more information on the IEP Learning Center: www.inclusiveeducationproject.org   
Thank you for listening! 
Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to the show to receive every new episode delivered straight to your podcast player every Tuesday.
If you enjoyed this episode and believe in our message, then please help us get the word out about this podcast. Rate and Review this show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher Radio, or Google Play. It helps other listeners find this show.
Be sure to connect with us and reach out with any questions/concerns:
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Instagram–We are doing videos on Instagram, so connect with us here and send us your questions!
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IEP website
Email us: admin@iepcalifornia.org

Are you paying attention to the calendar? As we find ourselves in the last few weeks of the school year, this is your friendly reminder to act fast for the annual transition IEP meetings that should be happening. In today’s episode, we are discussing the power of “stay put” as it applies to keeping things the same in IEP accommodations and services while being in disagreement with a proposed change. Join us for a closer look!
Show Highlights:
“Stay put” is not just for due process cases but is one of the most important parental legal rights.The federal law is consistent but state-to-state nuances depend on consent status.Understanding how stay-put reverts to the last consented-to IEPReal-life examples of stay-put scenariosOur recommendations for a partial consent/partial stay-putUnderstanding the word placement as it’s used in IEP languagePotential exceptions to the stay-put rule
Links/Resources:
Contact us on social media or through our website for more information on the IEP Learning Center: www.inclusiveeducationproject.org   
Thank you for listening! 
Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to the show to receive every new episode delivered straight to your podcast player every Tuesday.
If you enjoyed this episode and believe in our message, then please help us get the word out about this podcast. Rate and Review this show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher Radio, or Google Play. It helps other listeners find this show.
Be sure to connect with us and reach out with any questions/concerns:
Facebook
Instagram We are doing videos on Instagram, so connect with us here and send us your questions!
Twitter
IEP website
Email us: admin@iepcalifornia.org

Today's show is a replay of a very popular and informative episode that we hope you'll enjoy.
Today’s topic has popped up recently in some of our cases, and it’s an important one to cover because it is under-supported and often overlooked in the IEP world. We are discussing the ELL designation, which stands for “English Language Learner.” Join us to learn when a child should be designated as an ELL, how things should progress from there, and what the school district’s obligations are when that designation is given. 
Show Highlights:
A student’s ethnicity can prompt false assumptions that come with an ELL designation (which can mean different things in different cases).Understanding the differences in an ELL designation, an ESL designation, and a dual immersion programA student’s language proficiency impacts their ability to learn in different environments–and the IEP should reflect this fact.A student’s primary language can have unique nuances that are very different from English, which greatly affects testing, evaluations, and assessments. Considerations about inherent racial bias in assessments–and why they should be done in a student’s native language
Links/Resources:
Contact us on social media or through our website for more information on the IEP Learning Center: www.inclusiveeducationproject.org   
Thank you for listening! 
Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to the show to receive every new episode delivered straight to your podcast player every Tuesday.
If you enjoyed this episode and believe in our message, then please help us get the word out about this podcast. Rate and Review this show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher Radio, or Google Play. It helps other listeners find this show.
Be sure to connect with us and reach out with any questions/concerns:
Facebook
Instagram–We are doing videos on Instagram, so connect with us there and send us your questions!
Twitter
IEP website
Email us: admin@iepcalifornia.org