The Collaborative IEP

Ashley Barlow
The Collaborative IEP

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!

  1. DEC 17

    Interoception 101 While I Paint My Nails!!!

    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 into these topics in even more detail, offering quick, actionable lessons to help you navigate IEP meetings with confidence! ResourcesThe IEP Guru Academy The Collaborative IEP Membership

    20 min

  2. DEC 10

    Behavior 101 in 12 Minutes or Less

    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! ResourcesThe IEP Guru Academy The Collaborative IEP Membership

    13 min

  3. DEC 3

    IQ Testing, Disability Categories, and Inclusion: What You Need to Know

    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 the misuse of IQ scores, and advocating for inclusive opportunities that focus on your child’s strengths. If you’ve ever wondered how these pieces fit together, this episode is for you! ResourcesThe IEP Guru Academy The Collaborative IEP Membership

    26 min

  4. NOV 26

    Bridging the Gap: How Healthy Debate Strengthens IEP Teams

    Conflict is often seen as something to avoid, but what if it’s the key to progress? In this episode, we explore how productive conflict can strengthen relationships, spark creativity, and lead to better outcomes—both in everyday life and at the IEP table. We'll share real-life examples of how disagreements, when handled constructively, have driven innovation, resolved long-standing issues, and built stronger teams. Then, we’ll dive into how embracing healthy debate can transform IEP meetings. You’ll learn practical strategies to navigate conflict with confidence, turn differing perspectives into actionable solutions, and keep your focus on what matters most: the child’s needs. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or advocate, this episode will inspire you to view conflict as a tool for collaboration and growth. ResourcesThe IEP Guru Academy The Collaborative IEP Membership

    33 min

  5. NOV 19

    Introducing the IEP Guru Academy

    Are you ready to tackle IEP meetings with confidence and ease? 💪 In this week’s episode, I’m introducing something that’s going to change the game for parents and teachers: the IEP Guru Academy Videos! What you’ll learn in this episode: ✨ How these short, focused videos meet YOUR needs. ✨ The practical strategies, workbooks, and tools they offer. ✨ Why they’re perfect for busy parents and educators who want quick, effective solutions. 💡 Imagine walking into your next IEP meeting feeling prepared, calm, and ready to advocate for your child. These videos make it possible—and I’m breaking it all down for you in today’s episode!

    32 min

  6. NOV 12

    Big news! We’re rebranding!

    We’re rebranding! After much thought and heart, I'm thrilled to introduce The Collaborative IEP—a brand that better reflects our mission to empower and support families and educators in navigating the IEP process together. 💪💙And that’s not all! To kick off this new chapter, I’m launching the IEP Guru Academy videos—short, affordable, and jam-packed with practical strategies designed to make your IEP advocacy journey easier. Each video is a powerful tool, helping you feel more prepared and confident without taking too much time out of your busy day. Catch all the details in this week's podcast episode, where I share why I made these changes, what you can expect from The Collaborative IEP, and a sneak peek into the new IEP Guru Academy videos.Tune in now and join me in this exciting next step!

    24 min

  7. OCT 29

    Supporting Complex Interfering Behaviors With Dr. Rachel Schwartz

    We wrap up our 200th episode celebration today with one of your favorite repeat guests, Dr. Rachel Schwartz, and man did we ever have fun! Dr. Rachel and I set out with a loose idea of discussion topics, but what you really get in this episode is a discussion between someone who supports IEP teams in supporting students' behavior and an advocate who sees the trends when things go south. Dr. Rachel provides so many insights and strategies for common behavioral issues at schools - both how to support the student and how to advocate within IEP teams. We talk reinforcers, skill deficits, replacement behaviors, sensory process, belonging, and even shame!!!! That one blew my mind and made me want to re-read every Brene Brown book with my clients in mind! I know you'll love this episode! Rachel Schwartz, Ph.D., BCBA-D, has worked internationally creating and supervising programs for individuals with disabilities. Her work as a consultant and trainer includes teaching behavior analytic strategies and exploring issues related to sexual education and quality of life. Dr. Schwartz has published original research on these topics in special education journals as well as presented at national, state, and local conferences. Through her work as a trainer and consultant with the Watson Institute in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Dr. Schwartz taps into more than 15 years of experience working in special education to empower students, families, and professionals.   Links:  The Watson InstituteLinkedIn- The Watson InstituteWhen Behavior Impedes Learning- ADDitudeA Parent's Guide to Problem-Solving Problem Behaviors (ADDitude)

    38 min

  8. OCT 22

    Reckoning with IQ testing with author and mother, Pepper Stettler

    When Pepper Stettler's daughter, Louisa, was first entering school, she was IQ tested. Pepper didn't think much of it... until the results came in. What happened next prompted Pepper to go on a years-long journey of research and discovery. Pepper assimilated the results of that into a book called A Measure of Intelligence: One Mother's Reckoning with the IQ Test, and boy is it ever good! In the book, Pepper explores not only the history of IQ testing but also the methodology of testing, the impact on people with disabilities, the impact on the special education system, and so much more. Pepper and I set out to answer some common interview questions, and even though I never read one questions during our interview, we answered all of them in an organic, excited conversation! That's my favorite kind of interview! If you've ever wondered about IQ testing, how it impacts eligibility, or how it affects special education, this is a must listen! Pepper's book can be found on Amazon or other booksellers! Pepper Stetler is the author of A Measure of Intelligence: One Mother's Reckoning with the IQ Test. She writes extensively on issues facing people with intellectual disabilities and their caregivers. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Atlantic, Slate, The Progressive, the Ploughshares blog and Gulf Coast. Pepper is a professor of Art History at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, where she lives with her husband and daughter Louisa. WebsiteBook

    47 min
See All (213)

4.8
out of 5
41 Ratings

About

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!

Information

  • Creator
    Ashley Barlow
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2024
  • Episodes
    213
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Ashley Barlow
  • Show Website
    The Collaborative IEP

You Might Also Like

To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

Stay up to date with this show

Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes, and get the latest updates.
Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America and the Caribbean

The United States and Canada