My husband and I were both special education teachers when our son, Dylan, was born with Down syndrome.

We knew the laws, the research, and the benefits of inclusion. 

We believed in it for our students, and we certainly believed in it for our own son.

But when we went to the school district and asked for Dylan to be included in a community preschool class, we hit a wall. 

Over and over again, they told us he belonged in the special education preschool class they offered. 

They made it sound like there wasn’t another option.

We knew that wasn’t true.

Meeting after meeting, we pushed for what we knew was right. 

And every time, the district pushed back. 

They acted like we were being unreasonable, like we were asking for too much.

They made us question ourselves.

Were we expecting too much?

Were we asking for something that wasn’t possible?

Were we wrong for believing our son deserved to be included?
 

One night, after yet another frustrating meeting, my husband and I sat in our living room exhausted and feeling defeated. 

We looked at each other and said:

"If this is how they treat us—two special education teachers who know the law, how must they treat other parents in these meetings?"

That moment changed everything for me.
 

I knew then that I couldn’t just fight for Dylan. I had to fight for other kids, too.
 

That’s why I do this work. Because no parent should ever feel like they are alone, unheard, or unreasonable for wanting what’s best for their child. 

And no school should get away with making parents doubt what they know in their heart is right.
 

If you’ve ever felt like you’re fighting this fight alone—know that you’re not. 

And I’m here to make sure you never have to wonder, "Am I asking for too much?" again. 💙

That’s exactly why I’m hosting a FREE MasterClass on Feb. 26, to give you the strategies, confidence, and tools to advocate effectively, without second-guessing yourself or feeling shut down.

WHEN: Wed. Feb. 26th

TIME: 10 am Mtn. Time, 12 pm ET, 11 am CT, 9 am PT
WHERE: Live on ZOOM

Save your seat now: https://iep.today/Change25

In this free, live MasterClass, you’ll discover: 

• A better way of getting your input in draft IEPs (It's not what you think). 

• How to stop being frustrated when you share evidence-based articles about inclusion & nothing changes. 

• One other important hat you'll need to wear (I'll tell you where to get one).

No parent should feel alone in this fight. Join me for this live training.

I can’t wait to support you on this journey!

P.S. Gaslighting happens when school staff make you question what you know to be true, leaving you doubting yourself, your expectations, and even your own instincts about what’s best for your child.
 

It can sound like:
“That’s not how it works.” (When you know your child has a legal right to support.)

“You’re the only parent asking for this.” (When you know inclusive education benefits many children.)

“Your expectations are unrealistic.” (When research, law, and experience say otherwise.)
 

Gaslighting isn’t always obvious.  It can be subtle, like dismissing your concerns, acting like your requests are extreme, or shifting the conversation to make you feel like the problem.
 

The truth? 

You are not being difficult. 

You are not asking for too much. 

You are advocating for your child—and that is never unreasonable.