Special Ed on Special Ed

Stay tuned for the transcript, which will be available shortly after publication on SpecialEd.fm. Host: Dana Jonson
 Guest: Maxwell Ivey
 Guest Title and Bio:
Maxwell Ivey, also known as The Blind Blogger, is a blind entrepreneur, author, speaker, and accessibility advocate. Maxwell has built a successful career helping businesses, nonprofits, and organizations embrace accessibility—not just as a legal requirement, but as an opportunity to create a better experience for everyone. With an inspiring journey that began in a family of carnival owners, Maxwell has emerged as a respected voice on inclusivity in the business and digital world. Episode Summary In this episode, Dana Jonson sits down with Maxwell Ivey, a.k.a. The Blind Blogger, to explore his incredible journey from growing up in a family of carnival owners to becoming a prominent accessibility consultant and advocate. Maxwell shares insights into how accessibility benefits not only individuals with disabilities but businesses and society as a whole. Key topics include: •   Maxwell's early life and gradual vision loss due to retinitis pigmentosa •   How accessibility improves user experiences, business growth, and inclusion •   The role of technology, AI, and collaboration in breaking barriers •   Why advocacy and creative problem-solving are essential for inclusion •   Encouraging businesses to view accessibility as an investment, not a burden Listeners will walk away with a deeper understanding of how accessibility benefits everyone, why it matters for the future workforce, and how individuals and organizations can be proactive in creating inclusive environments. Resources Mentioned 1  Maxwell Ivey’s Websites: The Blind Blogger The Accessibility Advantage 2  Pathful (formerly Nepris): Online platform connecting professionals with classrooms for education and career mentorship. 3  Pixi AI Tool: Emerging AI plugin for image description (discussed as a potential accessibility tool). 4  Legislation Mentioned: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) National Rehabilitation Act 5  Braille Legos: Innovative tools helping visually impaired children learn to communicate through written language.  Engagement and Sharing •   Share This Episode: If you found this episode valuable, share it with friends, family, or colleagues who could benefit from hearing Maxwell's insights. •   Leave a Review: Help support the podcast by leaving a review on your favorite podcast platform. Your feedback makes a difference! •   Follow Maxwell Ivey on Social Media Website | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube •   Follow Dana on Social Media Website | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn Related Episodes If you enjoyed this episode, check out: Social Skills Training rooted in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Thank you for tuning in to Special Ed on Special Ed! Stay connected for more conversations that empower parents, educators, and advocates.

Host: Dana Jonson Guest: April Rehrig Title: Founder, Rise Educational Advocacy and Consulting Bio: April Rehrig is a distinguished advocate in special education with over two decades of experience as a school psychologist, teacher, and parent within the public school setting. As the founder of Rise Educational Advocacy and Consulting, April focuses on training parents to be effective advocates for their children. Her strength-based approach emphasizes collaboration, communication, and empowering families to navigate the IEP process successfully.   Episode Summary In this episode, Dana Jonson is joined by April Rehrig to discuss the power of parent advocacy in special education. April shares her journey from being a teacher and school psychologist to becoming an advocate and consultant. Together, they dive into: The importance of strength-based IEPs and reforming deficit-based processes. How parents can become equal participants in the IEP process and proactively address their concerns. Strategies for connecting assessment data to meaningful IEP goals and objectives. Training parents and students to advocate for their needs, especially in preparation for post-secondary transitions. The role of parent reports, accommodations, and self-advocacy in fostering better collaboration between families and schools. Listeners will leave with actionable insights into how they can champion their child's unique needs and strengths at the IEP table.   Resources Mentioned Rise Educational Advocacy and Consulting Website Free Consultation Contact Form COPAA (Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates): copaa.org   Engagement and Sharing Share this Episode: If you found this episode helpful, share it with friends or family who might benefit from learning about parent advocacy in special education. Leave a Review: Help us reach more listeners by leaving a review on your favorite podcast platform! Follow April on Social Media Instagram | LinkedIn | Youtube | FacebookFollow Dana on Social Media Website | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn   Related Episodes and Content Parent Advocacy Insights from School Psychologist and Special Education Director Diana Fannon Visit SpecialEd.fm for more episodes and transcripts.   Shortly after publication, a transcript of this episode will be available at SpecialEd.fm. Thank you for listening! 

Stay tuned for the transcript, which will be available shortly after publication on SpecialEd.fm. Host: Dana Jonson Guest: Andrea Pollack Founder, Autism Parent Solutions Andrea Pollack is a former litigator turned educator and parenting coach. After homeschooling her autistic son for eight years due to a lack of suitable educational settings, Andrea earned a master’s degree in education and founded Autism Parent Solutions. Her mission is to empower parents of autistic children with the tools and strategies needed to foster success at home, in school, and beyond. She is also the chairman of the board of The Cook School and Institute in New York City, where she contributes to advancements in special education.     Episode Summary In this episode, Dana speaks with Andrea Pollack about the challenges and strategies for parenting autistic children. Drawing on her personal experiences and professional expertise, Andrea shares insights into: The importance of understanding the root causes of behaviors rather than reacting to them. How Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) can address more than academic needs, focusing on behavioral and social-emotional growth. The transformative power of mindset shifts for parents and why it's essential to recognize behaviors as communication. The role of positive reinforcement, the dangers of discipline-driven strategies, and the importance of meeting children where they are. Strategies for building parenting confidence and maintaining self-regulation during challenging moments. Listeners will walk away with practical advice on how to advocate for their children’s needs in school, embrace positive parenting techniques, and find community support.     Resources Mentioned Autism Parent Solutions: Website Andrea’s Monthly Parenting Workshops and Facebook Group: Details are provided on her website. Special Education Rights: Visit Wrightslaw for reliable information.     Engagement and Sharing Share the Episode with a Friend Know a parent or caregiver who could benefit from this episode? Share the link to help them on their parenting journey. Leave a Review Enjoyed the conversation? Leave a review on your favorite podcast platform to help others discover the show. Follow the Guest on Social Media Andrea Pollack on Facebook: Join the Group LinkedIn | Website | YouTube Stay updated with Dana’s social media work and through Special Ed on Special Ed for more insightful discussions. Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn      Other Episodes to Check Out Maximizing Independence for Students with Autism: A conversation with Julie Swanson, The Life Skills Lady For more episodes, visit SpecialEd.fm.     Stay tuned for the transcript, which will be available shortly after publication on SpecialEd.fm.

Shortly after publication, a transcript of this episode will be published on SpecialEd.fm. Host: Dana Jonson Guest: Ilona Phillips Founder of Lotus Consulting, Psychotherapist specializing in eating disorders Guest Bio: Ilona Phillips is the founder of a psychotherapy group practice specializing in treating eating disorders. With over two decades of experience, she evolved from working solo to leading a team of 30 clinicians. Her work emphasizes helping individuals navigate recovery from eating and anxiety disorders while equipping parents and guardians with the tools and resources necessary to support loved ones. Ilona passionately advocates for mental health, mindfulness, and holistic well-being.     Episode Summary In this episode, Dana Jonson speaks with Ilona Phillips about the intersection of academic pressures, societal expectations, and the rise of eating disorders among students. Ilona shares insights into how underlying learning disabilities, anxiety, and perfectionism contribute to these challenges. They discuss the importance of early detection, comprehensive evaluation, and creating a robust support system for recovery. Key topics include: The role of academic demands and societal pressures in shaping mental health. How eating disorders manifest and the warning signs parents and educators should watch for. The connection between eating disorders and other mental health or learning challenges, such as anxiety and ADHD. The critical role of parents, educators, and clinicians in addressing eating disorders. Practical strategies to promote mental wellness, resilience, and healthy relationships with food.     Resources Mentioned Ilona Phillips Website: For information about Ilona’s work and resources on eating disorder recovery. Lotus Consulting: Psychotherapy group specializing in eating disorders and mental health. YouTube video by Ilona on warning signs of eating disorders.     Engagement and Sharing Share the Episode with a Friend: Know someone who might benefit from this discussion? Share this episode to spread awareness about eating disorders and mental health in the academic setting. Leave a Review: Help us grow by leaving a review on your favorite podcast platform. Your feedback supports the mission to destigmatize mental health and reach more listeners. Follow Ilona on Social Media Instagram | Website | Youtube Follow Dana on Social Media: Website | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn Related Episodes or Content: Parent Advocacy Insights from School Psychologist and Special Education Director Diana Fannon   Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.