Understood Explains

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EDUCATION
WEEKLY SERIES

Navigating ADHD, dyslexia, and other learning and thinking differences can be confusing. Understood Explains unpacks one important topic each season. From special education for kids to ADHD diagnosis for adults, get insights from the experts at Understood.org.

EPISODE 1

Does my child need an IEP?

If your child has been struggling in school, you might be wondering if they need special education. And once you start exploring special education, you’re going to run into the term IEP, which stands for individualized education program. But what exactly is an IEP, anyway? On this episode of “Understood Explains,” host Juliana Urtubey will cover IEP basics and how to figure out if your child needs this kind of support. Timestamps: [00:57] What is the purpose of an IEP? [03:27] What’s in an IEP [05:42] Does my child need an IEP? [07:42] Should I wait to get my child an IEP? [10:05] What if my child is learning English? [11:36] Key takeaways Understood.org is a resource dedicated to shaping the world so the millions of people with learning and thinking differences can thrive. Learn more about “Understood Explains” and all our podcasts at u.org/podcasts. Copyright © 2024 Understood for All, Inc. All rights reserved. Understood is not affiliated with any pharmaceutical company.

13 min
EPISODE 2

The difference between IEPs and 504 plans

The terms IEP and 504 plan may come up a lot when you’re looking into special education for your child. These school supports do some of the same things, but one can provide more services and the other is easier to get. And it’s important to know the differences in order to get your child the support they need. On this episode of “Understood Explains,” host Juliana Urtubey will break down the differences between IEPs and 504 plans, and which one might be right for your child. Timestamps: [00:53] What is a 504 plan? [02:16] What’s the difference between an IEP and a 504 plan? [08:15] Can my child have an IEP and a 504 plan at the same time? [09:36] Should my child switch from an IEP to a 504 plan? [10:45] What do multilingual learners need to know about IEPs and 504 plans? [11:58] Key takeaways Understood.org is a resource dedicated to shaping the world so the millions of people with learning and thinking differences can thrive. Learn more about “Understood Explains” and all our podcasts at u.org/podcasts. Copyright © 2024 Understood for All, Inc. All rights reserved. Understood is not affiliated with any pharmaceutical company.

14 min
EPISODE 3

IEPs: Common IEP myths

If someone says something that makes special education sound bad or negative, chances are it’s just not true. There are a lot of myths about IEPs, or Individualized Education Programs. And these incorrect or outdated ideas can keep some kids from getting school supports that can help them thrive. On this episode of “Understood Explains,” host Juliana Urtubey will bust common myths and explain the facts. For more resources, including a transcript formatted for easy skimming, visit the episode page on Understood.org. Timestamps: [00:38] Myth #1: My child will be labeled forever [02:10] Myth #2: My child will be in a separate classroom [03:15] Myth #3: IEPs are only for kids with severe physical or intellectual disabilities [04:17] Myth #4: Many kids with IEPs choose to misbehave [05:34] Myth #5: My child needs to wait to get evaluated for special education services [07:13] Key takeaways Understood.org is a nonprofit resource dedicated to shaping the world so the millions of people with learning and thinking differences can thrive. Learn more about “Understood Explains” and all our podcasts at u.org/podcasts. Copyright © 2024 Understood for All, Inc. All rights reserved.

9 min
EPISODE 4

IEPs: How do kids qualify for IEPs?

Kids don’t just get an IEP all of a sudden. Schools have an evaluation process to decide if a child qualifies for special education services. This includes getting an IEP. On this episode of “Understood Explains,” join host Juliana Urtubey as she discusses the evaluation process and requirements for getting an IEP. She’ll also share what to do if the school says your child doesn’t qualify for an IEP, and more. Understood.org is a nonprofit resource dedicated to shaping the world so the millions of people with learning and thinking differences can thrive. Learn more about “Understood Explains” and all our podcasts at u.org/podcasts. Copyright © 2024 Understood for All, Inc. All rights reserved.

10 min
EPISODE 5

IEPs: The 13 disability categories

There are 13 disability categories listed in a federal law called the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, or IDEA. And to get an IEP, or Individualized Education Program, your child will need to fit into at least one disability category. These categories can have some hard-to-understand names, like “specific learning disabilities” or “other health impairments.” But on this episode of Understood Explains, host Juliana Urtubey will share what these categories mean and why they relate to IEPs. She’ll also share what to do if your child doesn’t qualify for any disability category, or if they qualify for more than one. Understood.org is a nonprofit resource dedicated to shaping the world so the millions of people with learning and thinking differences can thrive. Learn more about “Understood Explains” and all our podcasts at u.org/podcasts. Copyright © 2024 Understood for All, Inc. All rights reserved.

13 min
EPISODE 6

IEPs: Special education terms and your legal rights

If your child qualifies for an IEP, it will come with many legal rights and protections. But with names like “FAPE” and “prior written notice,” things can get confusing quickly. Still, it’s really important for parents to understand these terms — and that's where this podcast comes in to help. In this episode of Understood Explains, host Juliana Urtubey breaks down some key terms and explains the legal rights that come with an IEP, or Individualized Education Program. Timestamps: [00:46] FAPE: Free Appropriate Public Education [03:07] Least restrictive environment [07:32] Informed consent [08:23] Prior written notice and “stay put” rights [10:48] Other key rights [11:56] Key takeaways Understood.org is a nonprofit resource dedicated to shaping the world so the millions of people with learning and thinking differences can thrive. Learn more about “Understood Explains” and all our podcasts at u.org/podcasts. Copyright © 2024 Understood for All, Inc. All rights reserved.

14 min
EPISODE 7

IEPs: How to prepare for IEP meetings

So you have an IEP meeting coming up, or you’d like to prepare for future ones. This is an important time to ask questions and advocate for what you think is best for your child. These meetings can be stressful and high-pressure for families. But knowing what to expect in the meeting and how to get ready can put you at ease. On this episode of “Understood Explains,” host Juliana Urtubey will go over the nuts and bolts of preparing to talk about your child’s IEP, or Individualized Education Program. Timestamps [01:13] What’s the purpose of an IEP meeting? [03:04] What happens in IEP meetings? [05:48] What role do parents play in IEP meetings? [07:20] Who can parents bring to the meeting? [10:18] What else can parents do to get ready? [12:39] Key takeaways Understood.org is a nonprofit resource dedicated to shaping the world so the millions of people with learning and thinking differences can thrive. Learn more about “Understood Explains” and all our podcasts at u.org/podcasts. Copyright © 2024 Understood for All, Inc. All rights reserved.

14 min
EPISODE 8

IEPs: Setting IEP goals

Setting IEP goals can feel tricky. They should be attainable, but not too hard or too easy — it’s a bit like Goldilocks and the Three Bears. However, setting these goals is a big part of developing your child’s IEP, or Individualized Education Program. In this episode of “Understood Explains,” host Juliana Urtubey breaks down how IEP teams set annual goals, how parents can help, and how the IEP will measure a child’s progress. Understood.org is a nonprofit resource dedicated to shaping the world so the millions of people with learning and thinking differences can thrive. Learn more about “Understood Explains” and all our podcasts at u.org/podcasts. Copyright © 2024 Understood for All, Inc. All rights reserved.

14 min

See All Season 3 (14)

Navigating ADHD, dyslexia, and other learning and thinking differences can be confusing. Understood Explains unpacks one important topic each season. From special education for kids to ADHD diagnosis for adults, get insights from the experts at Understood.org.