~167~"What Every Parent Needs to Know About IEPs, High School & Neurodivergent Teens" with Vicki Christensen
#ParentingTeens
#NeurodivergentTeens
#IEP
#ADHDParenting
In this raw and deeply important conversation, Cheryl Pankhurst sits down with parent advocate and founder of Blue Glasses Advocacy, Vicki Christensen, to unpack what really happens when neurodivergent teens move into high school and beyond. From IEP accommodations and executive functioning struggles to school refusal, self-advocacy, transition planning, and aging out of support systems — this is the conversation every parent wishes they had sooner.
Founder of Blue Glasses Advocacy and mother of a 21 year-old with global developmental
delays who proudly wears blue glasses, Vicki Christensen empowers parents with the
knowledge and tools to navigate disability rights and is passionate about advocating for families
through the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process.
She holds a Special Education Advocacy Certificate from the University of San Diego, is a
member of the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA), and co-founded the
Special Education Advisory Committee In her local school district. She was also awarded the
North County Consortium for Special Education 2023 Collaborative Parent Award and organizes
inclusive community events.
Vicki supports parents and guardians of students in special education by providing effective
advocacy strategies to foster positive, collaborative relationships at school. Her work, both in
advocacy and in parenting, combines expertise, empathy, and firsthand insight, making her
uniquely qualified to guide and inspire families navigating the challenges and triumphs of raising
a neurodivergent child.
Vicki resides in San Diego with her husband, two sons, and golden retriever where she is deeply
connected to the special-needs community.
Learn more at www.blueglassesadvocacy.com or on Instagram @blueglassesadvocacy
Connect with Cheryl!
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Daring to Belong: Autism Stories of Courage and Connection
YOUR GIFT- GUIDE FOR GRADE 8 TO GRADE 9 IEP TRANSITIONS
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PODCAST- “PARENTING TEENS ADVICE REDEFINED FOR TODAY’S WORLD
THE PODCAST
https://open.spotify.com/show/4QwFMJMDDSEXJb451pCHO9?si=9c1a298387c84e13
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Information
- Show
- FrequencyUpdated Biweekly
- PublishedMay 6, 2026 at 2:33 AM UTC
- Length46 min
- Episode167
- RatingClean
