
In this episode, Alicia Renee, founder of the IEP Files and advocate for neurodivergent children, shares her personal journey of raising her son, including her struggles and triumphs in navigating the special education system. She discusses the diagnosis process, her relentless pursuit of appropriate services, and her fight against systemic failures in education. Alicia emphasizes the importance of advocacy, both personally and professionally, and offers guidance to other parents facing similar challenges. Her resilience and commitment to ensuring that no parent walks alone into an IEP meeting shine through in this inspiring conversation.
What we discuss:
00:00 Welcome and Introductions
00:42 Parenting a Teenager
01:27 Journey with Autism Begins
02:55 Early Signs and Diagnosis
03:50 Navigating the IEP Process
06:37 Challenges and Advocacy
13:00 Support Systems and Personal Struggles
18:58 Fighting for Services and Rights
22:52 Balancing Personal Health and Advocacy
30:02 Challenges with the School District
30:59 Growing into Advocacy
32:05 Filing Grievances and Complaints
34:17 Understanding My Son's Challenges
36:28 Fighting for Individualized Support
41:33 Becoming an Advocate for Others
50:38 Advice for Struggling Parents
55:41 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
If you liked this episode and want to connect with Alicia:
Website: https://www.theiepfiles.com
Email: theiepfiles@gmail.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/the_iep_files
Tik Tok: theiepfiles
Resources provided by Alicia:
Parent Power: My Amazon Book & Tool List for Advocacy, Boundaries & Support
Why Families of Color Need to Know About the Endrew F. Case
The Top 4 Wrightslaw Books Every Special Needs Parent Should Own
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) | U.S. Department of Education
U.S. Department of Education | The Office of Civil Rights
Client Assistance Program (CAP) | Rehabilitation Services Administration
Home | Rehabilitation Services Administration
If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe, rate, and leave a review, or share it with a friend who might need it!
Follow Autism for Badass Moms Podcast on social platforms:
YouTube: autismforbadassmoms
Instagram: https://instagram.com/theabmpodcast
Facebook: https://facebook.com/theabmpodcast
TikTok: autismforbadassmoms
Find more information at:
https://www.autismforbadassmoms.com