Breaking the Myth: IEP Meetings Aren’t Where Success Happens

Welcome to "Don't IEP Alone" with Lisa Lightner, your go-to source for special education advocacy and support. In this episode, Lisa Lightner challenges a common belief among parents and advocates: the idea that IEP meetings are the most important part of the special education process. 

Drawing from her years of experience, Lisa Lightner explains why the real work—and true advocacy power—happens before and around the IEP meeting itself. With practical tips, honest insights, and a fresh perspective, she reveals how advance preparation, clear communication, and data-driven groundwork are what truly shape successful outcomes for your child. 

Whether you’re dreading your next IEP meeting or seeking to strengthen your advocacy skills, this episode offers valuable guidance to transform how you approach the IEP process.

00:00 Parents' anxiety about IEP meetings

03:07 Preparing for IEP meetings

07:37 Tips for Successful IEP Meetings

1. What Questions to Ask at an IEP Meeting (free PDF)
2. Should Parents Get the IEP or Evaluations Before the Meeting?
3. How to Not Cry at your IEP Meeting.

Don't IEP Alone with Lisa Lightner, Special Education Advocate

Thank you for listening to this episode of Don't IEP Alone. See you next time!

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Other ways I can help you with IEPs: 

• 📚 Order Your IEP Playbook (my book)
• Schedule a Consult or IEP Record Review
• Get on the Waitlist for Training