One sentence changed the tone of the entire IEP meeting.
“We have to be realistic about what she can access.”
It Was 2011—And That Meeting Changed Me
By the third IEP meeting in three weeks, tensions were high.
Each one lasting close to three hours.
The room was full—
OT. PT. AAC specialist. The classroom teacher. Gen ed teacher. APE. District admin. School admin. SELPA admin.
Every seat filled. Every corner taken.
We had the data. We had the jargon.
What we didn’t have—was space for what the mom was asking for.
She Wanted Real Inclusion
Not once a week.
Not for “circle time.”
Really included.
She came with her orange binder—1.5 inches thick—pressed to her chest.
It was full of documentation, past paperwork, work samples that had been sent home.
Calm. Respectful.
But you could tell: she already knew how this would go.
“Inclusion sounds great in theory, but we need to think about what she can actually access.”
And there it was. The line. The wall. The quiet no.
I didn’t speak up. Not that time.
But that moment has stayed with me ever since.
The Language We Use—And Why It Matters
“The words we use in special education—aren’t just words. They’re decisions. They’re definitions. They’re limits. And sometimes, they’re excuses.”
Maybe you’ve heard someone say those words—and felt your stomach drop.
Maybe you’ve said them yourself—because you didn’t know what else to say.
Or maybe you’re the one who’s had to fight, again and again, just to be heard.
What This Handbook Sounds Like
| Instead of this… | Try this… |
|---|---|
| “Nonverbal” | “Communicates through gestures and AAC” |
| “Low functioning” | “Loves music, especially familiar songs. Uses a 45-grid AAC system to communicate throughout the day, often combining 1–3 words at a time. Repeats key messages to express herself and connect with others.” |
Here’s What You’ll Get
- 📘 Clear language swaps to reframe how students are seen
- 💬 Real-world examples that shift mindsets (not just paperwork)
- 🔁 A mindset shift that helps kids get what they deserve
- 🤝 Tools that help teams say "yes" instead of "no"
Ready to shift the story?
💛 Grab Your Copy Nowand start expanding the system to fit our kids.