Don't IEP Alone Academy | Special Education Advocacy Training and Tools

“Love the Teacher's Toolkit, wish it was out when I first started teaching, telling all SPED teachers about the Toolkit and the site,
great stuff there, best $19 I have spent. thank you” ― Steve Ray

“I am always amazed at the quality and amount of work that has gone into Lisa's business and webpage. I am in year 30 as a SPED Teacher, and I LOVE her stuff. Keep rocking it Lisa! :-)” ― Jackie Otto

“The Don't IEP Alone Academy was honestly more than I expected. As a certified special education teacher that saw my students being pushed through the system and now having two of my own children being pushed aside, I was disgusted, disheartened, and simply burnt out from fighting.
I was shocked at what I didn't learn in college.

I took the Don't IEP Alone Academy because I felt that if I had official training then people would hire me more readily. I was also lost at how to turn this "thing" into a business.
What I didn't realize is that there were things I still didn't know.
My approach is now more strategic and methodical. For beginners, Lisa provides great resources such as templates, guides, and flow charts.

I have always said, "you get what you pay for," but you will get more than what you pay for with the Don't IEP Alone Academy. ” ― Kimberly

“....have inspired me to start my own advocacy business to help parents who don't know how to navigate the IEP process. My advocacy has changed since joining the Academy. The Academy has taught me the questions to ask parents about their child, their present levels, and their needs as well as what additional questions to ask to help gather the information I need to help.
I am also advising parents on any assessments they may need and the ways parents should communicate with the schools. The Academy is helping me to advise parents and I look forward to continuing learning and to continue to help parents navigate the IEP process and help parents advocate for their children.” ― Patty E

“Thank you Lisa. Your program is amazing and so affordable.

From zero knowledge about IEPs, I can say I am beginning to understand my rights as a parent and understand the IEP process better.

Thank you!!!!” ― Laurainne A

“I can't thank you enough for putting together this academy. I have a seven-year-old on the spectrum.

After months of frustration and no timeline for putting him on an IEP, I purchased the IEP Toolkit. My little one only had a 504 and struggled a lot during first grade. I followed your template as a guide, drafted the email and in less than a week they called me back.

Apparently, they can take our outside diagnosis instead of having him wait for months to see the district's diagnostician. I couldn't believe it. Your resources are powerful.

My son will have a better school experience thanks to you! ” ― Karla

“When I knew that my child would be attending developmental preschool, I was more than a little overwhelmed. As a mom of a child with delays of any kind whether it has to do with speech, autism, or other physical problems, I think the IEP process is challenging and stress-inducing.
Lisa’s website, her materials, and her personal advice set me up to turn me from an IEP noob to a preschool pro. When Lisa offered the IEP Academy package, I decided to invest and purchase the package because I have my whole IEP life ahead of me. It is a great deal because I know as things come up I will have access to all the library of materials Lisa has to offer.
She is amazing, so sweet, and has helped me in ways she doesn't even know, and with her Academy, I am sure she will help me in the future. Thank you! ” ― Rachel V

“I have taken your advocacy classes. You have been very helpful with my letter writing and just for advocating for my daughter who has dyslexia.

We won our mediation and I just finished with our reconvene IEP meeting to make corrections on goals and many other issues that they took out of the IEP during our AT assessment implementation into the IEP.

It was a mess but they had to fix what they took out and agreed to all that I asked. ” ― Gloria K

“I wrote a letter based on what I learned from Lisa. The end-of-year meeting went well.

Many good things came to an agreement. I will now write my follow-up to check that everything promised is in place for this year.

With the help of my IEP Toolkit and Lisa, I believe we are on track for a better year. Thank You, Lisa. ” ― Rhonda M

“I ordered your IEP Toolkit. This year and last year have been incredibly difficult navigating the school system and I am continually looking for guidance or templates to help aid in advocating for my son.

My parent concerns this year at his IEP meeting were AMAZING because of the guidance you provided. ” ― Monique

“I was having an awful time getting the extra help he needed at school. I purchased your program and after the first few lessons I had a game plan to approach the school.
The way you explain the lessons are very understandable. Prior, I had no experience with IEPs or 504 plans so it was a foreign language to me.

.......and for the first time the school took me seriously. I know if I am unsure about a particular subject I can refer back to the academy.

We are forever grateful! ” ― Tracey B

“......the IEP team did a complete 180 from what they were going to suggest (declassification, no services).

I got everything I wanted (ICT, PT, and ST with OT consult and several goals and accommodations).

Now I'm certain my son's IEP states all of the support he needs to be successful. ” ― Jessica

“I want to take a moment to let you know what critical and profound impact you’ve had on me personally and my child by proxy. You’ve helped transform me from a sniveling beaten down mess into a confident well informed advocate for my child. I’ve had other parents come to me with questions or for advice because they notice a difference in how I now approach various issues.

I am SOO grateful I found you so early on in this journey.

Until recently I lived in the most populated county in Alabama (Jefferson) and my son attended the second largest school district in the state. You gave me the backbone to stay the course when they threw everything they could at me.

I can’t imagine where he or I would be now without you. He has come so far.
There aren’t enough words for me to thank you enough.” ― Sarah E

“You have been a Godsend to me as I knew nothing about IEPs! I have shared my findings with my adult daughter (Mom to my granddaughter) who is dealing with the IEP issues. Your IEP tools and information has helped us stay organized and much more in control (depending on the circumstances).

” ― Mary S

“Lisa Lightner's, A Day in our Shoes + Don't IEP Alone is a fantastic resource for those working with students on a plan, IEP and/or 504. She not only has materials that are for educators, but also for parents to learn and understand how to be the best advocate for their children of all ages. Check out her sites and see for yourself!!” ― Jennifer P

“This has been the BEST resource I have found for information on IEPs. It is easy to understand and very practical advice. One of the things I love about Lisa and her website is a lot of information is available for free. This is not something you see anymore in today's world. By having the info for free it allowed me to see the incredible knowledge base Lisa has for IEPs and the laws surrounding them. She also has links to some state specific information which is great. I have purchased some of the trainings, organization materials, and services Lisa has available. I was willing to do this because I saw she was the real deal when it came to her knowledge base on IEPs. It is because of her knowledge and help that I was able to get one of my sons on an IEP. Knowledge of the laws and our rights were key in getting services for my child. I am so thankful I found Lisa! I would rate her as a required site for all the parents in the special needs world.” ― Amanda C

“I appreciate the data sheets. They'll help me track my fluency & phonics goals.

Writing the profile & present levels sections of the IEP.
” ― R Black

“I am a pediatric OT with over 20 years experience. I have struggled with data collection on IEP goals for years. I have found your forms to be very helpful and easy to implement. ” ― Constance V

“This is just a quick message to say thank you for your work. I am a pediatric physical therapist, as well as a mom to a beautiful neurodivergent 7 year old boy with epilepsy and I really appreciate the collating of resources on your site. Your dedication to your work is so far reaching and is continuing to help those of us behind you on this path that you have chosen, or that chose you. Thank you for choosing to work for all of us. ” ― Kira C

“I took your class last year. I rewatched so many of your lectures and I had my little lighthouse in mind and all my data and I was just so prepared. We got everything we wanted, and what my son was entitled to, and didn’t ruffle any feathers of the IEP team while doing it. I have a whole life of advocating for my son ahead of me and I know how important this is. I thought it might be nice for you to know that your “Don’t IEP alone” program is exactly that. I felt like you were helping me the whole way, so I wasn’t doing it alone. So many other parents are out there are doing the same thing. I hope you realize the huge difference you are making for so many families and the lives of our children by teaching these skills!” ― Kayleigh B

“This organization helped me prepared in details for my sons’ meetings and it made me confident to be able to have all the documentation in order. Thank you for making this available!!!” ― Sheila U

“I am Mom to one son with ADHD and Mild Intellectual Disability. The IEP planner helped me to learn how to keep track of his changing needs and changing plans. It is an awesome tool for staying organized for follow up questions I may need to pose to staff.” ― Denise A

“I have read whatever I have seen of yours that is related to IEPs. I have been a surrogate parent in Ohio for about several years, and lately your posts have been an excellent resource to help me clarify my responsibilities as a surrogate, and what services the children are entitled to receive. Your writing about Pennsylvania’s regulations has helped me to know how to search the same topic on Ohio’s site. Thank you for that! It has been wonderful working with good people who have the best interests of our children.

I know this Is rather Off Topic in response to your posy, but I want you to know the positive effect you have had on my role as a surrogate.” ― Kathleen E

“I just want you to know how amazing I think you are. I have learned so much from you website and emails (and I have a degree in special education and taught for 12 years!) The email I just opened - the IEP Troubleshooting Guide - came at just the right time. I am not getting communication from the school and I don't think my son is getting everything that he should. I am just thinking this morning - "where do I start?' Now, I have a starting point and a guide to get me where I need to be. I am going to start this right away!

I really just wanted to let you know what a difference you are making in many people's lives. From one mom to another - hold that in your heart when times get tough.” ― Nicole W

“I ordered your IEP toolkit. This year and last year have been incredibly difficult navigating the school system and I am continually looking for guidance or templates to help aid in advocating for my son. My parent concerns this year at his IEP were AMAZING because of the guidance you provided. ” ― Danielle B

“You probably get this a lot but I felt that it was still worth saying. I think you are so AMAZING! I’m the mother of a beautiful boy on the spectrum who is currently being assessed for special education preschool. I listen to your podcast (I haven’t yet left you a review but promise I will), I read the posts on your FB page, and I love your website. I just can’t thank you enough for the work that you do. I’m in tears writing this! I’d be lost without you. Seriously, a million times thank you! I am forever grateful to have you as a resource.” ― Lauren R

“I work for the XYZ School (anonymous), a public special needs school in New Jersey. We just wanted to let you know that because your website is such an awesome resource, we made sure to put it in the parent resource section of our first-ever district newsletter mailed out to all of our students' homes.

We thank you for being a fantastic resource for all parents!
” ― Shana M

“First of all, your site is the best resource for IEP information! I direct other parents there and share information often. You are always accurate with the most current legal info, but I also appreciate your promotion of person-centered and empowered thinking.” ― Michelle W

“I just wanted to send a quick note of THANK YOU. Your website, ready to print documents, and email templates have helped us tremendously. My son had a 504 plan, but his needs were still not being met. Your information, descriptions, and documents went beyond the basics I found on PACER and other websites. It helped us navigate the process of formally requesting an evaluation, an IEE, and initiation of an IEP. We have used a lot of your advice and tactics to get to where we are now.
Thank you so much again!” ― Julie D