Tag Archives: Special Needs

It’s IEP Season, Part 3
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Posted on April 30, 2015 by

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I met Mary, the Program Specialist, outside the Pleasanton middle school. We signed in and headed to the classroom, making small talk as we wandered the unfamiliar corridors. Eventually we found the classroom … Continue reading →

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It’s IEP Season, Part 2
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Posted on April 23, 2015 by

After our first IEP meeting in January 2015, Ms Nav never sent the consolidated goals. Two days before our next meeting, she sent an updated draft IEP but it only contained her proposed goals. When I questioned this, she said … Continue reading →

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Guest Post at Monday Coffee
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Posted on March 17, 2015 by

The multi-talented Liz Whiteacre asked me to do a guest post for the Monday Coffee and Other Stories of Mothering Children with Special Needs website and blog. If you remember, I had a story published in the Monday Coffee anthology … Continue reading →

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It’s IEP Season, Part 1
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Posted on March 5, 2015 by

My daughter Katie’s birthday was in January, so that means IEP (individualized education plan) season has begun. Like most special needs parents, I dread this time of year. As a single mom, it means a ton of meetings, paperwork, and … Continue reading →

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Mr. Mike
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Posted on November 6, 2014 by

When my daughter Katie switched to yet another school district back in February 2013, she once again was slated to ride the special needs “short bus.” The two school districts, however, didn’t share bus service, so after a month of … Continue reading →

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Camp Loma Mar, Part 2
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Posted on October 23, 2014 by

For a week Katie and I practiced showering and using a sleeping bag. We talked about camp. We practiced greeting strangers. We labeled and packed clothes. We assembled the required gear. I read her social stories. The night before camp, … Continue reading →

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How The Worst Moments in Our Lives Make Us Who We Are
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Posted on October 7, 2014 by

Welcome to another Tuesday with TED. Today we have writer Andrew Solomon. Solomon writes about politics, culture, and psychology and has spent his career telling stories of the hardships of others. His 2012 book, Far From the Tree: Parents, Children, and the … Continue reading →

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Cynthia’s Yearlong 50th Birthday Bash-September Update
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Posted on September 25, 2014 by

As I described back in April (you can read the post here), I’m celebrating my 50th birthday with a year of activities, challenges, and FUN designed to honor this milestone. I’m calling it Cynthia’s Yearlong 50th Birthday Bash, and so … Continue reading →

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First Day of School
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Posted on August 21, 2014 by

It’s August and moms across the country are posting smiling photos of their children going back to school. Some post “before”and “after” shots: their child at the start of kindergarten, and now, at the start of middle school, high school, … Continue reading →

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Farewell to Hoofprints on the Heart
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Posted on June 5, 2014 by

Those that know my daughter Katie’s story know that Katie said her first words when she was two years and eight months. After more than six months of intensive speech therapy, the breakthrough finally came the first time she rode … Continue reading →

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