Starting With IEP

Flor De Amelia Hoffman
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Welcome to Starting with IEP! I am Flor De Amelia, an Autism Mom, BCBA, IEP Coach, and SpEd Teacher. I deeply understand the IEP journey, having navigated it for my daughter for 16 years. This podcast goes beyond paperwork to demystify the process and help you confidently advocate for your child's long-term success. We feature honest conversations with parents, young adults, and insightful professionals, ensuring you feel prepared, empowered, and never alone. My mission is to help families find clarity, build confidence, and ensure their child's voice is truly heard. IEP COACHING & FREE RESOURCES! IEP Coaching with Flor de Amelia: tinyurl.com/FlorIEPCoach Free Parent's Starter Toolkit: tinyurl.com/FlorIEPStarter Free Parent's Checklist to Meaningful IEP Goals: tinyurl.com/FlorSMARTGoals Free Parent's Guide to Giving Effective IEP Feedback: tinyurl.com/FlorIEPFeedback Let's Connect! Turn IEP stress into confidence. I share useful resources every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday across all my social media platforms. Email: flor@flordeamelia.com Podcast Website: https://flordeamelia.com/podcast/ Website: https://www.flordeamelia.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/flordeamelia/ Facebook: http://facebook.com/flordeameliaebs Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/flordeameliahoffman/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flordeamelia_ebs/

  1. Episode 25: Mastering IEP Decisions: Retention, Advocacy, and Admin Insight

    4D AGO

    Episode 25: Mastering IEP Decisions: Retention, Advocacy, and Admin Insight

    Grade retention is one of the most complex and emotional decisions in special education. Families often feel torn between academic data, emotional readiness, and school recommendations, without fully understanding how IEP teams actually make these decisions. In Episode 25, I talk with Michael Plummer about what really happens behind grade retention discussions, diploma track decisions, and IEP team conversations. This episode goes beyond simple explanations and explores how schools weigh data, developmental factors, and long-term outcomes when determining whether retention is appropriate. This conversation is not about labeling retention as good or bad. It is about understanding the factors that influence these decisions, the role of parents in the process, and why the same child can be viewed so differently depending on perspective. If you’ve ever felt unsure about whether retention is the right path or confused by the reasoning shared in meetings, this episode will give you clarity, language, and insight. 🌱 In this episode, we explore: ✨ How IEP teams evaluate grade retention and diploma track decisions ✨ The difference between academic performance and developmental readiness ✨ Why retention decisions often feel inconsistent or unclear to families ✨ The role of data, assessments, and professional judgment in IEP meetings ✨ Emotional, social, and long-term impacts of retention ✨ How parents can meaningfully participate in retention discussions ✨ Common misunderstandings about retention in special education ✨ Practical guidance for interpreting school recommendations ✨ Strategies for advocating effectively during IEP conversations If you’ve ever left an IEP meeting feeling uncertain about a retention decision, this episode is for you. Understanding how these decisions are made doesn’t just clarify the process—it empowers families to ask better questions, advocate with confidence, and make informed choices about their child’s educational path. 🎧 Listen to Episode 25 on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or watch on YouTube. www.youtube.com/@FlorDeAmelia Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1TC4pMJxQrwcyStNfnc9Rd?si=b77353d4aea34a3d Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/starting-with-iep/id1828187191 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/3a1b111a-750f-4c5e-a3c5-38c55ee4e2d4/starting-with-iep ✨ Connect with Michael and explore his knowledge: LinkedIn: Michael A. Plummer 💡 Don’t forget to grab your 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 𝗜𝗘𝗣 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗽 𝗣𝗮𝗰𝗸. Comment IEP PROCESS below. 👉 Parents, has a teacher or school shown you compassion during the IEP journey? Share your experience with us! Let’s Connect! Turn IEP stress into confidence. I share useful resources every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday across all my social media platforms. Podcast Website: http://www.startingwithiep.com/ Website:...

    1h 5m
  2. Episode 24: Why OT Eligibility Varies: How Therapist Approaches Shape School vs. Private OT

    FEB 4

    Episode 24: Why OT Eligibility Varies: How Therapist Approaches Shape School vs. Private OT

    Occupational therapy is one of the most misunderstood services in special education. Families are often told their child “doesn’t qualify” for school-based OT while simultaneously paying for private OT multiple times a week. In Episode 24, I talk with occupational therapist Cody Lukasik about the real reasons behind this disconnect. This conversation goes beyond surface-level explanations and dives into how schools define educational impact, how private practice defines clinical need, and why those two frameworks often collide instead of align. This episode is not about blaming schools or therapists. It is about understanding how eligibility decisions are made, how training and interpretation shape outcomes, and why a child can clearly struggle yet still be found “not eligible” in the IEP process. If you’ve ever wondered why your child receives private OT but not school-based OT, or felt that the explanations in meetings were incomplete or overly technical, this episode will give you language, clarity, and context. Cody explains how occupational therapy actually works in educational settings, why compensatory strategies often replace rehabilitation, and how underlying skills like visual-motor processing, sequencing, and sensory integration are frequently overlooked in eligibility decisions. 🌱 In this episode, we explore: ✨ The difference between educational impact and clinical need in OT eligibility ✨ Why a child can receive private OT but not qualify for school-based OT ✨ How standardized assessments shape school decisions ✨ The hidden skills behind tasks like writing, cutting, and gluing ✨ Visual-motor, sensory, and cognitive factors that affect academic performance ✨ The role of training and continuing education in OT evaluations ✨ Why accommodations often replace true skill-building in schools ✨ The immersion model and what integrated therapy in classrooms can look like ✨ Common misunderstandings families have about OT under IDEA ✨ Practical insights to help parents interpret evaluations and IEP decisions If you’ve ever left an IEP meeting feeling that the explanations didn’t fully reflect your child’s needs, this episode is for you. Understanding how occupational therapy is interpreted across settings doesn’t just clarify eligibility, it gives families a stronger foundation to question, advocate, and push for services that address the underlying skills, not just the visible symptoms. 🎧 Listen to Episode 24 on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or watch on YouTube. www.youtube.com/@FlorDeAmelia Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1TC4pMJxQrwcyStNfnc9Rd?si=b77353d4aea34a3d Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/starting-with-iep/id1828187191 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/3a1b111a-750f-4c5e-a3c5-38c55ee4e2d4/starting-with-iep ✨ Connect with Cody and explore his knowledge: Website: https://www.emergingkids.org/ Instagram: @emergingkidsot Facebook: a...

    1h 25m
  3. Episode 23: Present Levels and Why IEP Goals Fall Apart Without Them

    JAN 28

    Episode 23: Present Levels and Why IEP Goals Fall Apart Without Them

    Present levels of performance are one of the most important parts of an IEP, yet they are often vague, outdated, or disconnected from real data. When present levels are weak, goals stop being individualized and progress becomes performative instead of meaningful. In Episode 23, I explain what present levels actually are, why they matter, and how they serve as the foundation for every IEP goal. This episode is not about blaming schools or creating conflict. It is about clarity, alignment, and making sure goals reflect where your child truly is. This conversation is for parents who read present levels that feel generic or overly positive, notice goals that repeat year after year, or sense that services are being justified without a clear explanation of need. I break down how weak present levels undermine the IEP, why legally sound goals depend on them, and how poor present levels lead to stalled progress and missed opportunities. Drawing on professional experience and real-world examples, this episode explains present levels in plain language, shows how they should reflect both strengths and needs, and offers practical ways parents can ask better questions without being labeled difficult. Understanding present levels does not just improve paperwork. It restores logic, accountability, and purpose to the entire IEP. 🌱 In this episode, I cover: ✨ What present levels actually are and what they are not ✨ Why present levels are the foundation of every IEP goal ✨ How weak present levels lead to misaligned or recycled goals ✨ The difference between descriptive language and functional data ✨ Common red flags in poorly written present levels ✨ Why goals must be traceable back to present levels ✨ The legal role of present levels under IDEA ✨ How strong present levels protect against stalled progress ✨ Practical, parent-friendly ways to review and question present levels ✨ How understanding present levels supports confident advocacy If you are early in the IEP process and feeling overwhelmed by documents that do not seem to add up, this episode is meant to ground you. When present levels are clear and data-informed, the entire IEP becomes a tool for forward movement rather than repetition. 🎧 Press play when you’re ready. Let’s learn this together. Episode 23 is now streaming on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FlorDeAmelia Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1TC4pMJxQrwcyStNfnc9Rd?si=b77353d4aea34a3d Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/starting-with-iep/id1828187191 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/3a1b111a-750f-4c5e-a3c5-38c55ee4e2d4/starting-with-iep 📲 Let’s Connect! Turn IEP stress into confidence. I share useful resources every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday across all my social platforms. Podcast Website: http://www.startingwithiep.com/ Website: https://www.flordeamelia.com LinkedIn:...

    23 min
  4. Episode 22: Baseline Data and the Difference Between Real and Artificial Progress

    JAN 21

    Episode 22: Baseline Data and the Difference Between Real and Artificial Progress

    Baseline data is one of the most important parts of an IEP, yet it’s often rushed, vague, or poorly explained. Without it, progress becomes subjective, goals can be recycled, and parents lose real leverage in advocating for their child. In Episode 22, I unpack what baseline data really is, why it matters, and how understanding it changes the way parents approach IEP meetings. This episode is not about catching schools doing something wrong or creating conflict, it’s about clarity, accountability, and making informed decisions that ensure your child truly moves forward. This conversation is for parents who have seen progress reports that “feel” positive but don’t match what they observe at home, who hear phrases like “we feel progress is happening” without concrete evidence, or who realize goals were written without a clear starting point. I explain how strong baseline data turns opinions into facts, why legally measurable goals require it, and how missing or poorly collected baselines can lead to artificial progress, stalled goals, and lost years. Drawing on professional expertise and real-life examples, this episode breaks down baseline data in plain language, shows how it should be written, and provides practical steps parents can take - without being labeled difficult. Understanding baseline data doesn’t just change paperwork; it changes conversations, power dynamics, and outcomes. 🌱 In this episode, I cover: ✨ What baseline data actually is, and what it is not ✨ Why baseline data is the foundation of every IEP goal and service ✨ Common examples of weak vs. strong baseline statements ✨ How missing or low baselines create artificial progress ✨ Why subjective progress is dangerous for students ✨ How baseline data protects against wasted years and recycled goals ✨ The legal importance of baseline data under IDEA ✨ Practical, parent-friendly steps to request and review baseline data ✨ How baseline data helps parents advocate with confidence, not conflict If you are in the early months of intervention and questioning whether you are doing enough, this episode is meant to ground you. You are not falling behind. You are building a foundation. Early intervention works best when it is intentional, paced, and rooted in understanding rather than fear. 🎧 Press play when you’re ready. Let’s learn this together. Episode 22 is now streaming on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FlorDeAmelia Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1TC4pMJxQrwcyStNfnc9Rd?si=b77353d4aea34a3d Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/starting-with-iep/id1828187191 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/3a1b111a-750f-4c5e-a3c5-38c55ee4e2d4/starting-with-iep 📲 Let’s Connect! Turn IEP stress into confidence. I share useful resources every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday across all my social platforms. Podcast Website: http://www.startingwithiep.com/ Website:a href="https://www.flordeamelia.com"...

    14 min
  5. Episode 21: What Early Intervention Progress Really Looks Like in the First Six Months

    JAN 14

    Episode 21: What Early Intervention Progress Really Looks Like in the First Six Months

    Early intervention does not feel loud or urgent in the beginning. It often feels quiet, slow, and filled with doubt. Families start to wonder whether anything is actually happening, whether progress should look different, or whether they should be pushing harder for more services. Those questions are rarely answered clearly, and that uncertainty can be just as heavy as the diagnosis itself. In Episode 21, I walk parents through what the first six months of early intervention are truly designed to do and why this phase often feels invisible. This episode is not about adding more therapy, rushing milestones, or jumping ahead to school-based services. It is about understanding the foundational work that determines whether early intervention will actually support long-term progress or simply become another source of stress. This conversation is for parents who are already receiving early intervention but feel unsettled by the pace, the lack of visible skill gains, or the pressure to do more. I explain what professionals are observing during the early months, why baseline data matters more than most families realize, and how early regulation and engagement set the stage for later learning and IEP success. Drawing from professional expertise and lived experience, this episode reframes progress, normalizes regression, and clarifies why quality and consistency matter far more than volume. It also shows families how the data they are gathering now quietly prepares them to become stronger advocates when school-based services begin. 🌱 In this episode, I cover: ✨ What is actually happening during the first 30 days of early intervention ✨ Why observation and baseline data are critical and often misunderstood ✨ What real progress looks like in the first 90 days ✨ Why regulation and engagement come before skill acquisition ✨ The most common early intervention mistakes in the first six months ✨ Why more services do not always lead to better outcomes ✨ How early intervention quietly prepares families for future IEP meetings ✨ Why regression does not mean failure and comparison undermines clarity If you are in the early months of intervention and questioning whether you are doing enough, this episode is meant to ground you. You are not falling behind. You are building a foundation. Early intervention works best when it is intentional, paced, and rooted in understanding rather than fear. 🎧 Press play when you’re ready. Let’s learn this together. Episode 21 is now streaming on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FlorDeAmelia Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1TC4pMJxQrwcyStNfnc9Rd?si=b77353d4aea34a3d Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/starting-with-iep/id1828187191 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/3a1b111a-750f-4c5e-a3c5-38c55ee4e2d4/starting-with-iep 📲 Let’s Connect! Turn IEP stress into confidence. I share useful resources every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday across all my social platforms. Podcast Website: a href="http://www.startingwithiep.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

    21 min
  6. Episode 20: Early Intervention for Infants and Toddlers and the Path to the IEP

    JAN 7

    Episode 20: Early Intervention for Infants and Toddlers and the Path to the IEP

    Early intervention doesn’t begin with a school meeting or an IEP document. It begins in the quiet moments when something feels off and you are deciding whether to trust your instincts or wait it out. That decision carries more weight than most families are ever told. In Episode 20, I walk parents through the Infants and Toddlers Program under IDEA Part C and why early intervention is not about rushing a child, labeling them, or doing something “too soon.” It is about responding while the brain is most flexible and before families are left trying to make up lost ground later. This episode is for parents who are newly navigating a diagnosis, living in uncertainty without answers yet, or hesitating to make the call because they fear paperwork, judgment, or being told to wait. I share what early intervention actually looks like in real homes, how eligibility works, what services truly include, and the things I wish someone had explained to me before I learned them the hard way. This conversation blends lived experience, advocacy guidance, and research to reframe early intervention as support, not scrutiny and as preparation, not pressure. It is about empowering families before the IEP process even begins. 🌱 Here’s what I walk you through in this episode: ✨ What the Infants and Toddlers Program really is and what it is not ✨ Why you do not need a diagnosis to request an evaluation ✨ How early intervention supports parents, not just children ✨ Why progress is not linear and why that is normal ✨ How IFSPs differ from IEPs and why the transition should never be a surprise ✨ What research shows about timing and long-term outcomes ✨ Why your concerns and intuition matter just as much as test scores If you are standing at the very beginning of this journey and wondering whether it is too early to ask for help, this episode is your permission to act. You are not behind. You are being responsive. Early support is not an overreaction, it is an investment in your child and in yourself as an advocate. 🎧 Press play when you’re ready. Let’s learn this together. 🔗 Visit DORS: https://dors.maryland.gov Episode 19 is now streaming on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FlorDeAmelia Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1TC4pMJxQrwcyStNfnc9Rd?si=b77353d4aea34a3d Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/starting-with-iep/id1828187191 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/3a1b111a-750f-4c5e-a3c5-38c55ee4e2d4/starting-with-iep 📲 Let’s Connect! Turn IEP stress into confidence. I share useful resources every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday across all my social platforms. Podcast Website: http://www.startingwithiep.com/ Website: a...

    42 min
  7. Episode 19: The Power of Parent Networks in Navigating the IEP Process

    12/31/2025

    Episode 19: The Power of Parent Networks in Navigating the IEP Process

    IEP meetings don’t just test your knowledge of special education, they test your emotional endurance. The self-doubt, the second-guessing, the feeling that everyone else knows something you don’t, it can be isolating in ways few people talk about. In Episode 19, I’m addressing one of the most overlooked yet powerful factors in a parent’s IEP journey: building a parent support network. This episode is for the parents who leave meetings replaying every word they said, wondering if they were too much (or not enough) and for those navigating this system feeling completely alone. I share why IEP outcomes are shaped not only by what happens in the meeting, but by how supported, informed, and regulated you feel outside of it. This episode blends lived experience, advocacy insight, and research-backed guidance to show why community is not optional: it’s protective. 🌱 Here’s what I walk you through in this episode: ✨ Why parent networks change how families experience IEP meetings ✨ How peer support helps regulate emotions before and after meetings ✨ Why feeling “behind” doesn’t mean you’re failing—it means the system wasn’t built for families ✨ How connected parents recognize patterns instead of isolated incidents ✨ National and local parent support resources every family should know about ✨ How informed, supported parents advocate with clarity and confidence ✨ Why community directly impacts IEP quality and long-term outcomes If you’ve ever felt isolated, overwhelmed, or unsure of yourself as an advocate, this episode is a reminder that strength does not come from doing this alone. Support is not a luxury, it’s a strategy. 🎧 Press play when you’re ready. Let’s learn this together. 🔗 Visit DORS: https://dors.maryland.gov Episode 19 is now streaming on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FlorDeAmelia Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1TC4pMJxQrwcyStNfnc9Rd?si=b77353d4aea34a3d Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/starting-with-iep/id1828187191 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/3a1b111a-750f-4c5e-a3c5-38c55ee4e2d4/starting-with-iep 📲 Let’s Connect! Turn IEP stress into confidence. I share useful resources every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday across all my social platforms. Podcast Website: http://www.startingwithiep.com/ Website: https://www.flordeamelia.com LinkedIn: a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/starting-with-iep" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

    26 min
  8. Episode 18: Newly Diagnosed and Overwhelmed - What Families Must Do First

    12/24/2025

    Episode 18: Newly Diagnosed and Overwhelmed - What Families Must Do First

    Receiving a diagnosis can feel like the ground has shifted beneath you. The fear, the grief, the questions, and the pressure to “do the right thing” all arrive at once. I know this feeling deeply. In Episode 18, I’m speaking directly to newly diagnosed families and to the parents who are quietly wondering if they should be doing more, sooner. I share the moments I wish someone had prepared me for, the mistakes that come from being told to “wait and see,” and the systems that are meant to support you—but only if you know how to access them. This episode is part guidance, part lived experience, and part reminder that you are not late, you are not failing, and you are not alone. 🌱 Here’s what I walk you through in this episode: ✨ Why a diagnosis is not a label, but a key to services and protection ✨ The most common advice that delays early intervention—and why it’s harmful ✨ Who to call first and how to build the right medical and educational team ✨ The difference between IFSP, IEP, and Child Find—and when each one applies ✨ Why early action protects not just your child, but your family’s mental health ✨ Practical steps you can take right now, even if you feel overwhelmed If you’re at the beginning of this journey, or supporting someone who is, I hope this episode brings clarity, reassurance, and a sense of direction. You do not have to figure this out by yourself. 🎧 Press play when you’re ready. Let’s learn this together. 🔗 Visit DORS: https://dors.maryland.gov Episode 18 is now streaming on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FlorDeAmelia Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1TC4pMJxQrwcyStNfnc9Rd?si=b77353d4aea34a3d Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/starting-with-iep/id1828187191 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/3a1b111a-750f-4c5e-a3c5-38c55ee4e2d4/starting-with-iep 📲 Let’s Connect! Turn IEP stress into confidence. I share useful resources every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday across all my social platforms. Podcast Website: http://www.startingwithiep.com/ Website: https://www.flordeamelia.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/starting-with-iep Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StartingWithIEP Instagram:a...

    32 min
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About

Welcome to Starting with IEP! I am Flor De Amelia, an Autism Mom, BCBA, IEP Coach, and SpEd Teacher. I deeply understand the IEP journey, having navigated it for my daughter for 16 years. This podcast goes beyond paperwork to demystify the process and help you confidently advocate for your child's long-term success. We feature honest conversations with parents, young adults, and insightful professionals, ensuring you feel prepared, empowered, and never alone. My mission is to help families find clarity, build confidence, and ensure their child's voice is truly heard. IEP COACHING & FREE RESOURCES! IEP Coaching with Flor de Amelia: tinyurl.com/FlorIEPCoach Free Parent's Starter Toolkit: tinyurl.com/FlorIEPStarter Free Parent's Checklist to Meaningful IEP Goals: tinyurl.com/FlorSMARTGoals Free Parent's Guide to Giving Effective IEP Feedback: tinyurl.com/FlorIEPFeedback Let's Connect! Turn IEP stress into confidence. I share useful resources every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday across all my social media platforms. Email: flor@flordeamelia.com Podcast Website: https://flordeamelia.com/podcast/ Website: https://www.flordeamelia.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/flordeamelia/ Facebook: http://facebook.com/flordeameliaebs Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/flordeameliahoffman/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flordeamelia_ebs/

Information

  • Creator
    Flor De Amelia Hoffman
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    26
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Flor De Amelia Hoffman
  • Show Website
    Starting With IEP