Stress-Free IEP®

EP 149 | Amy Orlando on Dopamine, Motivation, and Follow-Through

Amy Orlando, occupational therapist and founder of AEO Coaching, explains why procrastination is often a cue to adjust systems—not a sign to just “try harder.” Learn how dopamine, motivation, attention, and environment affect follow-through for neurodivergent students and adults. She shares brain-based ways to close the gap between intention and action. Parents will leave with practical ideas for reducing overwhelm, building routines that stick, and helping their child work with their brain instead of against it.Get in contact with her here: https://www.aeocoachingot.com/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbHpMUGlWRXpWdjhhYVUyX1VmUl84NWlHNGpGZ3xBQ3Jtc0ttTTltdWxlMXUwbHFvYnJJRkZsZUs4VXRyVU5yU2x3VzlCbHJDZ2FxZTRiUHNZR2tDcW1HRFcwVjNzcm83YUFyaXlBaU1EbUFTVWc3eXd6UzdKS2M1QktTQXRUNm91azktS3FYeThvem9wQ1NoRlRVMA&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.aeocoachingot.com%2F&v=9sL9kCIQU6I]AEO Coaching Brochure: https://shefterlaw.com/wp-content/upl... [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa3NmUThzbnRVVlFQelE5YlViOGtyMGpubjJkUXxBQ3Jtc0tsdTAzOW93R2d5UmVsbmFzSzRMMi1hM282Rm1ybTFmNGhrbi15b1FRWkdHQnNvY0tYNV9DSGtnVTRWSUQxc05uS1FyRUROcE9GQXdDcEgxOE4zUGprUlMzLW5wTVJoVGl1SXpjR042Z3NLeV8zY2R3dw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fshefterlaw.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F06%2FAEO-Coaching-Brochure.pdf&v=9sL9kCIQU6I]Need our support? Reach us here: https://shefterlaw.com/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa2tZaXFLS3Q0V3FPUHItREhMSXNrR0NGNzI3Z3xBQ3Jtc0trLWlITXdlRUZFcXRwUkpWbDFNdlNUS2NBMVNzM3lNc2ZMVkdSLTFZT1Zlb3FXVDAxVEdqQ1JEUDcxYzdPd0N0dDl5R0haVl9URmhCbEJrSzZDWloyQ25JN0tLYVFYalZ4WWpDb2FpWlpFX1Q4OWZRTQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fshefterlaw.com%2F&v=9sL9kCIQU6I]

EP 148 | Michelle Steiner on Learning Disabilities and Self-Advocacy

Michelle Steiner shares what it is really like to live, learn, work, and advocate with hidden disabilities and learning disabilities. She opens up about being told what she could not do—and how writing, photography, education, and self-advocacy helped her prove otherwise. Parents will learn why invisible disabilities are often misunderstood, how to better support students, and why strengths can show up in unexpected ways.Visit her website here: https://www.michellesmission.com/ [https://www.michellesmission.com/⁠]Need our help? Reach us at: https://shefterlaw.com/ [https://shefterlaw.com/]

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]