Stress-Free IEP®

EP 147 | Mary McDirmid on Financial Planning for Special Needs Families

Mary McDirmid breaks down what families often miss in special needs financial planning—and how to fix it before it’s too late. Learn what really happens at the age 18 financial cliff, how ABLE accounts and special needs trusts actually work, and when to use each. She shares how to build a clear Special Needs Action Roadmap so you’re not making decisions in crisis. Plus, get key insights from her new book Care, Protect, Grow to help your family plan with confidence and avoid costly mistakes.Reach Mary here: https://allneedsplanning.com/ [https://allneedsplanning.com/]Mary's book: https://allneedsplanning.com/care-pro... [https://allneedsplanning.com/care-protect-grow/]Need our help? Contact us now: https://shefterlaw.com/ [https://shefterlaw.com/]

EP 146 | Sue Lux On Why Schools Deny IEPs and What Parents Can Do

Sue Lux breaks down the biggest mistakes families make in the special education process—and how to fix them. Learn why schools deny IEP eligibility, how to move from a 504 plan to real support. She also explains why phonics-based instruction is critical for students with dyslexia and how poor programs can hold kids back. Plus, hear what parents should know about environmental risks like mold and how it can impact learning and health.Reach her here: https://suespecialed.com/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa29ya0xXbEhsSV9tRURKV2FSMTBxczhxSDl4Z3xBQ3Jtc0ttbTIzRnBsZ3VNZWlRRWdITFUtWHlmVDhXcHhVbHRXa1RWc0ExbGpLWEtvbGxhOVhxenhqdHBjYllMbllYUlpVaFg4Zl9pTFc4Nk9RTk1sWkgxWkxwTjJ3eE9nVmJzdlR1MmRQU3lzQjFSNWNhb2VPVQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fsuespecialed.com%2F&v=9yrmQAvE7fk]Need our help? Contact us now: https://shefterlaw.com/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbEp2c0IwZnpvWmt1THVya3gwaU1Qd3hKNTl1QXxBQ3Jtc0ttOGc3VWpSYTBtdXdTaUhaVmNyYU1ld1ptcHFza3dNRzBfZnp5bmp0NzhhWGRYVjFheGo1MXYza2hSNjJUSlh3Q2hGNkVWaU8wdFkxYW1DTTZvNm1MWnl1dU9GV0M1SXNaWUdTT09iSmNjb2xSWXlZOA&q=https%3A%2F%2Fshefterlaw.com%2F&v=9yrmQAvE7fk]

EP 145 | Thea Mullis on Building Independence Through Travel

Thea Mullis shares how travel can unlock real independence for neurodiverse young adults—and what parents often miss. Learn how to tell if your child is truly ready for an experience like Camp On Tour or a residential program, and what skills they’ll build without even realizing it. She breaks down how to support growth without over-helping, and why the right balance can boost confidence, social skills, and daily living abilities. If you’re wondering how to help your child become more independent in a safe, meaningful way, this episode offers practical insight and clear next steps.Need our help? Reach us here: https://shefterlaw.com/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbGQ4MTdqTzgybFd5TG9vbU0zVnk1MzRhZFBoQXxBQ3Jtc0tuLUJvWnRfSHJLeVNONWdyZHhFb1ZqQnhWTjFCZGNueXFFeERfSTNMSkducHBCUWNQVVVEOGpHLWZHcnRjdWYydGh4eEdGeFdGek5oZlpWZHF3OXBrZ2VHcWNaRnVJQ1hDdkZvVUtqdVNzY3czWUxFUQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fshefterlaw.com%2F&v=pFWE1Hm-iS8]Camp on tour website: https://www.campontour.com/home [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa0JaUjBBaFIweTlaUmt6NlY1NmtMdDl3LW9kUXxBQ3Jtc0ttdEtpT2Fzc2JyQWFlUW1XZThHdDZTY0IzRzE1STZzSGlZV3R1MDRyMWZ2NE1fX3dVQWN0SjJwcXRGN0RUS3RSaHFxQlZ0MTF3dWtPbXNaeTZ6NnV6d18wcHpuMlB4R0s0RWlyeDQ4WEEydnFrM0FzZw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.campontour.com%2Fhome&v=pFWE1Hm-iS8]Give Them A Listen👂 On Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/73Bp4KI... [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbEpUUGE0V3VUcHItdW95aEE4NmJ5RF9wZDhVd3xBQ3Jtc0tuUFlEWjdYc1F1bWxOenBOZkFMY0RfT09FRG9NZnBtOWhvT1hSNTNSa01mYzVYU3ZaYzAxZFRkdkpuMVd0cU4yTFJZdUhyeHNNQ3p4WkVHcncxbF9DX0RxZHI4TzZwUENYYm9LV290cWJOZGxwWXRfTQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fopen.spotify.com%2Fshow%2F73Bp4KIWpEdgi697mCRJ04%3Fsi%3DbXfQgOucR5WtaPizysvVMA&v=pFWE1Hm-iS8]Intake form: Https://forms.gle/a4c58ehCJ3YZgGdW9 [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbVBsMmVwZHE2TkJ2Vlg1ZmdFNXEzS3VFUnA2QXxBQ3Jtc0ttcW84bjdUU1ZxTEZEdmZkNkNSYmZ3eE1lcnNreF9qY1pDUkt2c1VJMlVOLTZ2QjZmWXR3bm5Md2tJajdlR3FkU3UtSXFTZXQ5UkpjTHhKakRLVmpIbjh5Y1ZhbUNkRzNIYUlGWG5INmhnNWJvQ3Qtbw&q=Https%3A%2F%2Fforms.gle%2Fa4c58ehCJ3YZgGdW9&v=pFWE1Hm-iS8]

EP 144 | Shabnum Bi on Early Intervention in SEND and IEP Systems

Shabnum Bi breaks down why parent partnership isn’t optional—it’s the foundation of strong SEND and IEP support from the very start. She explains how the early years can either prevent long-term challenges or allow them to grow, and what families often miss in those critical first steps. You’ll learn how early intervention works across systems, the key differences and overlaps between SEND and IEP approaches, and what the UK gets right—but fails to fully support. This episode helps parents better understand their role, spot risks early, and take action before small concerns become bigger problems.Reach Shabnum here: https://www.earlynurturepreschool.co.uk/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbDhNNzZDSm9IdHVPQzItUjFTekhZUUZJM3gzUXxBQ3Jtc0ttYm5FRTNvcmlLbk40Wk1DcHkwTDl4Vl9fbUpUVERXdi1xdzZMYjZSRk85b2ZfNDBpaEdWSjdtdlVhZGVEX2JPNncyS3RTZjNQQ1dXQ3kyM1l4MWV4TWlKa3lYUDVtamxKVi1FdGlIcnRXYVRIMHRfMA&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.earlynurturepreschool.co.uk%2F&v=9KiRfKM4Tu8]Need our help? Contact us here: https://shefterlaw.com/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbWdlc1llWU9jaDV0T2Z5ekpjTl9nZ2NtV2M3Z3xBQ3Jtc0ttcXZ6N3BORXJWMUJoNG9MaEFuVXJXdC1icTBLUmswMXV1NEpmd0NlbkZKdFhZckZFY1kwVFRCV0hlRWFyemFmTThNcjNrZUlaVGQ1NmZYTFcwX0RwWUlqMXBaTlBXTUh6OG9mTUE0NGlkOWtxRk5KYw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fshefterlaw.com%2F&v=9KiRfKM4Tu8]

EP 143 | Liz Sokolov: College Readiness vs Risk for Neurodivergent Teens

Liz Sokolov breaks down the real signs of college readiness for neurodivergent teens—and the risks of getting it wrong. Learn the red flags that can lead to burnout, anxiety, or crisis in college. She shares practical ways to assess readiness beyond grades and test scores. Plus, discover better post-high school paths that support growth, independence, and long-term successContact Liz here: https://www.neuropossible.com/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa3gxc1Fodkt6ZTVOanRPX2VkNm1VcmNWanAwZ3xBQ3Jtc0tsMXBGV1dLRHVsZC1sM0N0ZkFfUkpZMDVRSnpLeWNVT3p2bzAwQlJmclRua2N3cG9oWURsQ0dQUjNlVTZLQUtiR2Y2TE9SeWNITmFwbFl5OGJvaVNOTU9wWHBsbGp3UGp4R2VvZWlLVWxvNjg0bW5Ecw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.neuropossible.com%2F&v=RtLykNdURTk]Need our help? Get to know us: https://shefterlaw.com/about/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbHF0Vk83RFZlVFNqZ2R0bmJHOFZYR0F4OFRLZ3xBQ3Jtc0tsOHdhMFd6akIzbXZuOEI2X1NQUk10M2pXUzNBQlA0dFlYOW9CdVR0SnpiV2ROcGh1eGdNWEU0dWp4RVc1UGMxel9fcmVabVVnQ0lxMnBHS0JqOF9MLUEwVmNRdExRQWN6UVc3ZzBRbmJiRHI2Rm5ZVQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fshefterlaw.com%2Fabout%2F&v=RtLykNdURTk]