When our son Dylan was little, we had some of his meetings at our house. 
 

While we discussed goals and plans, Dylan would play in the living room, giving the staff a chance to see him looking at his books and rolling around on his two loveable dogs. 

It was a great way to keep things personal and focused on Dylan as a whole person.
 

But here’s the funny part—having the meeting at home meant I actually had to clean the house beforehand (a rare event, if I’m being honest).

Eventually, it became a running joke in our family. Anytime I started cleaning, my kids would ask, "Is there a meeting here tomorrow?"
 

I’d laugh and realize they weren’t wrong—it took an IEP meeting to motivate me to pull out the cleaning supplies!

As funny as those memories are, they highlight something important: the power of including your child in the conversation about their education.

This idea was at the heart of our recent live show, From the Classroom to the Boardroom.

Just ponder for a moment, (I love the word "ponder") 

What if... your child could confidently advocate for themselves, share their voice, and step into leadership roles—even at a young age?
 

In our recent episode of The Art of Advocacy™ , "From the Classroom to the Boardroom," we looked at the WHY and WHAT of empowering your child to be a leader in their own life. 

Discover how tapping into your child's strengths, confronting limiting beliefs, and starting with manageable actions can support them developing self-advocacy skills, AKA life skills. 

Don't miss out on this replay—it’s packed with inspiration, real-life examples, and strategies to support your child's journey.
 

Watch the Workshop Replay Here
 

AND guess what?
AI tools can even help your child build confidence and develop self-advocacy skills in creative ways.

Here's your Art of AI Advocacy Tip: "Create a Confidence-Building Playlist for Your Child's Advocacy Journey"

For example, try using a text-to-speech, a speech-to-text app or an AI writing tool to help your child draft a short statement about their strengths or goals. 

Whether it's for an IEP meeting or a class presentation, this activity supports them to find their voice in a supportive, low-pressure way.

Tools like Speechify or ChatGPT can make this process fun and engaging, helping your child feel heard and valued. 
 

Give it a try and let us know how it goes.

As we explore ways to empower your child, let’s add a new word to your advocacy toolkit. 

IEPowerment is all about nurturing your child’s involvement and leadership in their education. 

Here’s what it means and why it matters:
 

When we give our children opportunities to participate– and make decisions, we set the stage for them to grow into confident advocates. 

Remember, even small steps can create big ripples in their lives—and in the way others see their potential.

And sometimes, the best way to make progress is to lighten the mood and connect with others who understand the journey. 

Advocacy doesn’t always have to be serious—it can be fun, too!

Join us for a festive Facebook Live on Tuesday, December 12th at:

• 11:00 AM MT
• 1:00 PM ET
• 12:00 PM CT
• 10:00 AM PT

This is all about laughs, connection, and community. 

Instead of wearing ugly sweaters, bring your "Ugly IEPs" and join in the fun of this lighthearted holiday live. 

Let’s wrap up the year with smiles and camaraderie!

Follow Me on Facebook, The Art of Advocacy to Join Live

Take care and know change is happening!

P.S. Ready to take your advocacy to the next level? 
Sign up for a free 30-minute phone consultation and get your personalized Advocacy Action Plan! Here’s what you can expect:

1.Share what’s happening at school, what you’ve tried, and the outcomes you want.

2.Together, we’ll create three individualized advocacy action steps for you.

3.After the call, you’ll receive a written summary of your Advocacy Action Plan.

Sign up here to book your free consultation!