You’re in a school refusal crisis. Either you’re being called daily to come get your child, or their absences are now well into the double digits. Every morning is a struggle, you’re missing work and ...

When your child is refusing school, people have a lot of opinions. “They just need to go.” “You have to be consistent.” “The school is doing everything they can.” But when you actually listen to ...

When a child is not attending school, the conversation often shifts quickly to attendance—how many days have been missed, what policies apply, and what steps come next. What is less often discussed is ...

I recently had a conversation with a family and was guiding them on their school refusal issues with their child. Their situation had progressed to the point where they found themselves in truancy ...

When a child is refusing school, many families eventually reach the same point: asking for help and being told no. Sometimes it is a direct no. Other times it is more subtle—delays, vague answers, or ...

School refusal is often treated as the problem to solve. But in most cases, it is a signal and not the root issue. That’s where many families and schools get stuck. The focus stays on attendance: how ...

School refusal is a behavior. It might seem controversial for me to state that, but I don’t think so, and here’s why. I’ve been a vocal critic of poorly done FBAs and behavior plans, and pointing out ...

Your child is mostly fine at school…until it’s time to switch activities. Or leave the classroom, or walk into school, or deal with a substitute teacher. Or, or, or. For many kids with IEPs, ...

For years, readers have asked me for IEP goals specifically for students with autism. And for just as many years, I’ve been hesitant to publish a big list. Not because the goals don’t exist. But ...

Assistive technology is one of the most underused supports in many IEPs. Parents often ask questions like: How do I get assistive technology added to my child’s IEP? Who decides what device is ...

Ever stumble across the phrase “supplemental educational services” in your kid’s IEP and think, What even is that? Is it a fancy way of saying tutoring? Is it something extra? Is it code for something ...

You’ve been told you have parents rights in special education. At every IEP meeting, someone slides a thick booklet across the table: Procedural Safeguards, Parents’ Rights, Notice of Action, whatever ...