Navigating the IEP process can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. In this powerful episode of Get UnPuzzled, we sit down with Karen Mayer Cunningham, also known as the Special Education Boss, to break down what families, educators, and providers really need to know about building strong IEPs and advocating with confidence.

Karen shares real-world strategies for collaborating with IEP teams, understanding your rights, avoiding common mistakes, and preparing for meetings in a way that leads to better outcomes for students. Whether you’re a parent just starting your special education journey or a seasoned advocate looking to sharpen your skills, this episode is packed with practical tools you can use immediately.

You’ll walk away feeling more empowered, more informed, and more prepared to show up for your child, and yourself.

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In this episode of Get UnPuzzled, we are joined by Dr. Marc Ellison, a longtime leader in autism education, advocacy, and systems change.

Marc Ellison, Ed.D., is the Executive Director of the West Virginia Autism Training Center at Marshall University and a Licensed Professional Counselor. For more than 40 years, he has worked alongside individuals with autism, their families, and the professionals who support them, helping build person-centered services across the lifespan.

Marc began working in the autism field at just 19 years old and has witnessed firsthand how support systems have evolved, from institutional care to inclusive education, employment, relationships, and higher education access. He currently serves on the Board of the Autism Society of West Virginia and chairs the Autism Society of America’s Panel of Professional Advisors.

This conversation explores how autism support has changed over time, what progress has been made, and where advocacy must continue to grow. It is a meaningful look at the impact one dedicated advocate can have on thousands of lives across our state.

In this deeply honest and much-needed conversation, we sit down with Dr. Cheri Timko, a couples and sex therapist with over 20 years of experience helping neurodiverse couples strengthen their communication, rebuild connection, and rediscover intimacy.

Together, they open up about the often-unspoken challenges that come with parenting a child with a disability — the strain it can place on relationships, the emotional distance that can form over time, and the quiet grief and guilt that so many couples carry but rarely discuss.

This episode sheds light on the realities behind closed doors: love, loss, burnout, and the ongoing effort to stay connected when life feels overwhelming. Dr. Timko offers both compassion and practical insight for couples navigating the balance between caregiving and connection — reminding listeners that healing and closeness are still possible, even in the most challenging seasons.

💙 Because sometimes, the hardest conversations are the ones that bring us closer.

To hear more about our mission and the work we are doing at UnPuzzled Parents Connect, you can follow us at www.unpuzzledparentsconnect.com or find us on Facebook at Facebook Page

Connect with Dr. Cheri Timko:

https://www.facebook.com/TimkoCounseling

Her Newest Book : The Neurodiverse Couples Sex Therapy Workbook

https://www.amazon.com/Neurodiverse-Couples-Sex-Therapy-Workbook/dp/B0DR3SQDRS/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2PMN0FBQE0NU&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.dixA3tdeSrQb07FO-peXGr_QffplWr7Lik887hptsHszbqd9cv6VZraDIUYHKHX4dgOz5_SX3af90SezQBqLQQ.Byi374_FRkQLShG2uPi9YuTMPeD5_AOuHUm9Bc4HDKM&dib_tag=se&keywords=cheri+timko&qid=1761423189&sprefix=cheri+timko%2Caps%2C131&sr=8-1

Her website : https://couplescounselingcenter.online