Welcome to this week’s episode of Special Education Boss® with Karen Mayer Cunningham — where we empower parents, educators, and professionals to navigate and negotiate successful outcomes.

In this Ask the Advocate– session, Karen is LIVE answering rapid-fire questions from real parents and educators sitting at the IEP and 504 table.

🔥 Topics in this episode include:

• Is speech impairment required for ECSE eligibility?
• What to do when your district says, “We don’t do that here”
• Getting support in your classroom when you're short-staffed
• What to say when your child’s IEP isn’t being followed
• Why you cannot request a human, but you can request services
• What’s illegal in self-contained classrooms
• When to file a state complaint (and what to say)
• How to advocate strategically without starting a war

Karen breaks it down with real talk, compassion, clarity, and the occasional call for a matching tattoo. 🙃

💬 Questions are read aloud by a moderator (SEA Advocate Partner) as Karen responds live with the wit, wisdom, and fire you’ve come to expect from your Special Education Boss®

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We release new episodes every week, covering real-world issues, current policy shifts, and parent empowerment through the lens of the law. Subscribe, rate, and review the podcast so we can help more families, teachers, and advocates navigate the special education process with confidence and clarity.

🎓 Want to be trained as an advocate?
Join our 2-Day In-Person Training or access it On Demand—because what you don’t know could cost your child their education.
👉 Learn more here

📚 Need expert help now?
Email us at: [email protected]

🎥 Watch on YouTube:
Special Education Academy YouTube Channel

Remember, when we get it right for the child, we get it right for everyone!

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

👩‍⚖️ Hosted by Karen Mayer Cunningham, Advocate & Special Education Boss®
Each week, Karen shares real stories, legal insights, and no-nonsense strategies to help you navigate special education with clarity and confidence.

👉 Subscribe & never miss an episode — new episodes drop every week!
🎓 Join The Academy: Weekly live trainings + 250+ hours of advocacy tools & expert resources
🔗 Learn more at The Academy

📬 Have a question? Email us at [email protected]

📱 Follow Karen on:

• TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
• YouTube: Special Education Academy

🧠 Want to level up your advocacy game?
Check out the Advocate's Bookshelf — a curated collection of must-have tools, guides, and legal references every special education advocate should own. From federal code to diagnostic manuals, these are the essentials that help you advocate with clarity and confidence.

📚 Browse now: https://amzn.to/3RiQPLl
(As an Amazon Associate, Karen may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you.)

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