Are you preparing for an IEP or 504 meeting and wondering what to ask, what to document, or what to do if you feel dismissed by the school?

In this episode of the Calm Connection Parenting Podcast, Jami Kirkbride continues her conversation with Karen Mayer Cunningham, the Special Education Boss®, about how parents can advocate with more confidence and clarity at the IEP or 504 table.

If you have ever walked out of a school meeting feeling confused, rushed, overwhelmed, or unsure of what you just agreed to, this episode will help you understand how to stay focused on your child’s needs and take the next best step.

Karen Mayer Cunningham has been advocating on behalf of children for over 25 years. Her passion is training, educating, and empowering everyone who sits at the 504 and IEP table so children can have successful outcomes at school. Her advocacy journey began as she fought to get needed services for her own son, and along the way, she found a calling to educate, equip, and train families and educators to successfully navigate the special education system.

In Part 1, Karen helped parents understand where to begin when a child may need more school support. She explained the difference between a 504 plan and an IEP, how children can struggle even when their grades look okay, and why behavior may point to an unmet support need.

In this second part of the conversation, Karen helps parents think through what happens when they are actually at the table. How do you show up as part of the team without feeling powerless? What should you bring? What questions should you ask? What should you document? And how can you follow up after the meeting to make sure everyone is clear on what was decided?

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What parents need to understand about their role at the IEP or 504 table
• How to show up as part of the team without feeling powerless
• What to bring to an IEP or 504 meeting so you feel more prepared
• What questions to ask when you are not sure the plan matches your child’s needs
• What to do if your concerns are dismissed, minimized, or met with “wait and see”
• Why documentation matters before, during, and after a school meeting
• How to keep the conversation focused on your child’s actual needs
• What to do after the meeting so everyone is clear on next steps
• How to check whether accommodations are happening without sounding like you do not trust the team
• One quick win if you have an IEP or 504 meeting coming up this fall

This episode is especially helpful for parents of children with ADHD, DMDD, autism, anxiety, sensory needs, emotional dysregulation, meltdowns, challenging behaviors, or other school-related support needs.

This episode is also part of the special series leading up to the Mom’s Retreat, It Is Well… Finding Your Calm in the Chaos, happening August 27-31 in Loveland, Colorado.

The retreat is for moms raising emotionally intense, uniquely wired, neurodivergent, or struggling children. It is a small, personal retreat created to help moms step away, be encouraged, connect with others who understand, learn practical tools, and return home with more calm, clarity, and hope.

There are only a couple spots still available, and early bird pricing is ending soon.

Learn more or register here:
CalmConnectionParent.com/retreat2026

Join the Calm Connection Parenting Group and find free parenting resources at:
CalmConnectionParenting.org

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Send a text and share your thoughts!

• Take Your Next Step: Emotional Forecast Quiz
• Visit CalmConnectionParenting.org to become an insider and receive weekly news. Find information about the coaching program (and scholarships), free parenting resources, and how we can connect.

*Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Please consult a qualified professional for individual support.

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