Special Education Essentials: For Parents & Families with David Tollner, Episode 10

In this episode of Special Education Essentials: For Parents & Families, David Tollner speaks with Lisa O'Hearn-Keck, Dean of Students/Director of Community Outreach of Palo Alto Preparatory.

Tune in to the episode to hear about:

* How Palo Alto Preparatory supports children with special needs through experiential learning and individualized attention

* How Palo Alto Prep caters to a wide range of students, including those with learning differences, ADHD, high-functioning autism, anxiety, and depression

* The importance of a collaborative relationship with families, a safe and accepting environment, and unique programs

* How Palo Alto Prep utilizes aviation and dogs to aid in reducing student anxiety

* The distinctions between non-public schools (NPS) and private schools, detailing how NPS certification can affect district placement and legal processes for special education students

Learn more about Lisa O'Hearn-Keck:

* Visit Palo Alto Preparatory’s website: https://paloaltoprep.com/faculty-and-staff

Disclaimer: The law is complex and this podcast does not cover all situations, legal responsibilities, or variations in different circumstances. This podcast is for entertainment and informational purposes only and nothing contained in this podcast should be construed as legal advice. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or Tollner Law Offices. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. This podcast is not intended to replace legal advice.

Tollner Law Offices offers new clients in California a free 20-minute consultation. To get started, please complete the initial intake form by clicking on this link: https://tollnerlawoffices.cliogrow.com/intake/MriSWly5j2QEG-c5s3os8w)

Special Education Essentials: For Parents & Families with David Tollner, Episode 9

In this episode of Special Education Essentials: For Parents & Families, David Tollner speaks with Kristen Atkins, Head of School at Winston Preparatory School.

Tune in to the episode to hear about:

- The importance of phonological awareness, foundational literacy skills, and progress monitoring using tools like the DIBELS to support students with dyslexia

- The need for schools to train all teachers in foundational literacy skills, suggesting that effective reading instruction should be integrated across all subjects

- The necessity for parents to be proactive, collect data on their child's reading progress, and advocate for evidence-based interventions during IEP meetings

- The importance to focus on closing the educational gap for their children by ensuring consistent and targeted support from the school district

Learn more about Kristen Atkins:

* Visit Winston Preparatory School’s website: http://winstonprep.edu

* Connect with Kristen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristen-atkins-9a80705

Disclaimer: The law is complex and this podcast does not cover all situations, legal responsibilities, or variations in different circumstances. This podcast is for entertainment and informational purposes only and nothing contained in this podcast should be construed as legal advice. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or Tollner Law Offices. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. This podcast is not intended to replace legal advice.

Tollner Law Offices offers new clients in California a free 20-minute consultation. To get started, please complete the initial intake form by clicking on this link: https://tollnerlawoffices.cliogrow.com/intake/MriSWly5j2QEG-c5s3os8w)

Special Education Essentials: For Parents & Families with David Tollner, Episode 8

In this episode of Special Education Essentials: For Parents & Families, David Tollner speaks with April McCoy, an attorney, who specializes in special education and school discipline defense. She now works at LACY, which stands for Legal Advocates for Children and Youth. LACY is a program of a larger nonprofit called the Law Foundation of Silicon Valley, which is the largest legal aid services nonprofit in Santa Clara County.

Tune in to the episode to hear about:

* April’s personal journey into special education advocacy and details the various services LACY provides

* The importance of community resources and understanding local support systems for special needs children, especially regarding IEPs and special education programs

* Key resources and organizations, including LACY, COPA, and Disability Rights California, which offer essential support and information for parents navigating special education systems.

Learn more about April McCoy:

* Connect with April on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aprildmccoy

* View April's profile on Silicon Valley Law Offices’ website: https://www.svlo.com/attorney/mccoy-april-d

* Read more about LACY: https://www.lawfoundation.org/children-youth

Disclaimer: The law is complex and this podcast does not cover all situations, legal responsibilities, or variations in different circumstances. This podcast is for entertainment and informational purposes only and nothing contained in this podcast should be construed as legal advice. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or Tollner Law Offices. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. This podcast is not intended to replace legal advice.

Tollner Law Offices offers new clients in California a free 20-minute consultation. To get started, please complete the initial intake form by clicking on this link: https://tollnerlawoffices.cliogrow.com/intake/MriSWly5j2QEG-c5s3os8w

Special Education Essentials: For Parents & Families with David Tollner, Episode 7

In this episode of Special Education Essentials: For Parents & Families, David Tollner speaks with Danielle Beiser, Director of Admissions, Fusion Academy.

Tune in to the episode to hear about:

- Understanding the IEP process, highlighting options like private schools for children not making progress in traditional settings

- Fusion Academy's unique one-on-one educational model, which personalizes education to cater to various student needs, including those with special needs and twice-exceptional students

- The benefits of personalized learning, such as flexible scheduling and tailored education plans that help students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally

- Fusion Academy’s fully virtual program, Fusion Global Academy, which provides the same one-on-one education and community engagement opportunities as their brick-and-mortar campuses

Learn more about Danielle Beiser:

* Visit Fusion Academy’s website: https://www.fusionacademy.com

* Connect with Danielle on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellebeiser

Disclaimer: The law is complex and this podcast does not cover all situations, legal responsibilities, or variations in different circumstances. This podcast is for entertainment and informational purposes only and nothing contained in this podcast should be construed as legal advice. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or Tollner Law Offices. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. This podcast is not intended to replace legal advice.

Tollner Law Offices offers new clients in California a free 20-minute consultation. To get started, please complete the initial intake form by clicking on this link: https://tollnerlawoffices.cliogrow.com/intake/MriSWly5j2QEG-c5s3os8w)

Special Education Essentials: For Parents & Families with David Tollner, Episode 6

In this episode of Special Education Essentials: For Parents & Families, David Tollner speaks with licensed psychologist (CA PSY17794), Brendan Pratt, Ph.D. Dr. Pratt is owner of The Pratt Center, which specializes in psychological testing and school meeting support in the Bay Area.

Tune in to the episode to hear about:

* The importance of comprehensive evaluations for children with learning disabilities to ensure accurate diagnoses and effective support strategies, emphasizing the critical role of keeping thorough records and active participation by parents

* The significance of recording IEP meetings for clarity and accurate documentation, as well as preparing meticulously for such meetings to ensure all concerns are addressed

* The common mistakes parents make, such as not keeping proper records or seeking evaluations prematurely, and offers guidance on the appropriate times and reasons to seek professional assessments

Learn more about Dr. Brendan Pratt:

* Visit The Pratt Center’s website: http://www.prattcenter.com

* Call: 650-200-0053

* Email: info@prattcenter.com

Disclaimer: The law is complex and this podcast does not cover all situations, legal responsibilities, or variations in different circumstances. This podcast is for entertainment and informational purposes only and nothing contained in this podcast should be construed as legal advice. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or Tollner Law Offices. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. This podcast is not intended to replace legal advice.
Tollner Law Offices offers new clients in California a free 20-minute consultation. To get started, please complete the initial intake form by clicking on this link: https://tollnerlawoffices.cliogrow.com/intake/MriSWly5j2QEG-c5s3os8w)

Special Education Essentials: For Parents & Families with David Tollner, Episode 5

In this episode of Special Education Essentials: For Parents & Families, David Tollner speaks with Dr. Marina Vaserman, founder of Open Mind School and a foster parent in Santa Clara County and a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), championing the rights of vulnerable youth.

Tune in to the episode to hear about:

- The importance of specialty schools in providing tailored education to children with special needs, highlighting the unique approach of Open Mind School in Northern California, which focuses on inclusivity and lifelong learning

- The significance of creating engaging and flexible learning environments and details the school's extensive application process that ensures family involvement and partnership in the education journey

- An explanation of parents' legal rights under the IEP process, encouraging families to explore specialty schools if public schools are not meeting their child's needs and to seek legal avenues for funding these placements if necessary

Learn more about Marina Vaserman:

- Visit Open Mind School’s website: http://openmindschool.org

- Connect with Dr. Vaserman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marina-vaserman

Disclaimer: The law is complex and this podcast does not cover all situations, legal responsibilities, or variations in different circumstances. This podcast is for entertainment and informational purposes only and nothing contained in this podcast should be construed as legal advice. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or Tollner Law Offices. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. This podcast is not intended to replace legal advice.
Tollner Law Offices offers new clients in California a free 20-minute consultation. To get started, please complete the initial intake form by clicking on this link: https://tollnerlawoffices.cliogrow.com/intake/MriSWly5j2QEG-c5s3os8w)

Special Education Essentials: For Parents & Families with David Tollner, Episode 4

In this episode of Special Education Essentials: For Parents & Families, David Tollner speaks with Molly Matava, special education and IEP advocate.

Tune in to the episode to hear about:

- Molly’s role in helping parents navigate the IEP process, emphasizing the importance of documenting information and collaborating with school districts

- The distinctions between what an advocate can do versus when it might be necessary to hire an attorney, stressing that most issues can be resolved without legal intervention

- The importance of understanding the IEP process and being prepared for educational transitions to ensure continued support for children with special needs

Learn more about Molly Matava:

* Connect with Molly on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/molly-matava-davey-4817706

Disclaimer: The law is complex and this podcast does not cover all situations, legal responsibilities, or variations in different circumstances. This podcast is for entertainment and informational purposes only and nothing contained in this podcast should be construed as legal advice. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or Tollner Law Offices. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. This podcast is not intended to replace legal advice.
Tollner Law Offices offers new clients in California a free 20-minute consultation. To get started, please complete the initial intake form by clicking on this link: https://tollnerlawoffices.cliogrow.com/intake/MriSWly5j2QEG-c5s3os8w)

Special Education Essentials: For Parents & Families with David Tollner, Episode 3

In this episode of Special Education Essentials: For Parents & Families, David Tollner presents part 3 of his series, IEP 101: 10 Essential Rules for Meaningful Progress. Did you miss Parts 1 and 2? See them here:

* Part 1 — https://youtu.be/jhXx94b6Lfs

* Part 2 — https://youtu.be/3BYu0vhxcrw

Tune in for these key takeaways:

• * The importance of having clear goals of what you want for your child's education

• * The importance of parents involving experts, such as therapists and privately funded specialists, in IEP meetings to provide valuable insights and recommendations

• * Use of Independent Educational Evaluations (IEE) as a means for parents to obtain and use outside expert assessments to challenge school evaluations

• * The importance of accurate records and detailed, data-driven discussions with a suggestion of using Parent Addendums to outline consent and objections to parts of the IEP

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  About Special Education Essentials: For Parents & Families

   Welcome to the Special Education Essentials for Parents and Families podcast. Your host is attorney David Tollner. Special Education Essentials was created to impart knowledge and understanding for families with children who have learning disabilities, such as Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, Anxiety/Depression, Vision and Hearing Impairment, etc. Guests of the podcast will be professionals in the special education and disability services industry who support children with special needs.

  Disclaimer: The law is complex and this podcast does not cover all situations, legal responsibilities, or variations in different circumstances. This podcast is for entertainment and informational purposes only and nothing contained in this podcast should be construed as legal advice. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or Tollner Law Offices. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. This podcast is not intended to replace legal advice.

  Watch more episodes of Special Education Essentials: For Parents & Families:

  * https://specialeducationcounsel.com

  * https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdlPs4LOlySNZkoCB2G6bJA

  Connect and learn more from your host, David Tollner:

  * Website: https://specialeducationcounsel.com

  * Email: dtollner@tollnerlawoffices.com

  * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-tollner-162b657b