IDEA Advocates

06/17/2026

One of the most powerful advocacy tools is curiosity.
Before assuming, reacting, or disagreeing, try asking:
💙 "Help me understand."
Stay curious. Ask questions. Keep students at the center.

06/17/2026

💻✨ Tech Tip : Technology Supports for Dyslexia ✨💻

Did you know that technology can be a powerful tool for students with dyslexia?

The goal isn't to replace learning to read and spell—it's to provide support while students build those skills and gain confidence.

📱 Helpful Tech Tools:
🔹 Text-to-Speech – Have digital text read aloud to reduce reading fatigue.
🔹 Speech-to-Text – Let students dictate their thoughts when writing is difficult.
🔹 Audiobooks – Support comprehension while exposing students to rich vocabulary and grade-level content.
🔹 Read-Aloud Features – Available on many tablets, computers, and smartphones.
🔹 Digital Note-Taking Tools – Help students organize ideas and information more efficiently.
🔹 Dyslexia-Friendly Fonts and Display Settings – Adjusting font size, spacing, and background colors can improve readability for some learners.

Remember: Assistive technology is not a shortcut—it is a bridge that helps students access information, demonstrate knowledge, and build independence.

Every learner deserves the tools they need to succeed! ❤️📚

What technology tools have been most helpful for your child or student? Share below!

06/17/2026

Thank you PEAK Parent Center for sharing this information.

📢 🏔️ A Message to Colorado Families and Communities
Families across Colorado may be hearing news about a major federal announcement involving special education. 📰

The U.S. Department of Education has announced an interagency agreement that would move support for the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

OSERS oversees federal programs related to special education, early intervention, vocational rehabilitation, and other services that support individuals with disabilities.

We know this announcement may raise questions and concerns for families of children and youth with disabilities. Here is what we want you to know:

➡️ The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is still the law.
Your child's right to a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) has not changed. IEPs, evaluations, related services, procedural safeguards, and dispute resolution protections remain in place at this time.

➡️ PEAK Parent Center is still here for Colorado families.
We remain fully committed to helping families, caregivers, youth, and professionals understand their rights, navigate educational and community systems, and make informed decisions that support positive outcomes for children and individuals with disabilities.

☎️ 📧 🗣️ At the same time, families have an important voice.
If you believe students with disabilities need strong protections, effective oversight, and continued support, you may wish to contact your members of Congress and share how IDEA and disability-related services have impacted your child, family, and community

🔗 Find your members of congress here:
http://congress.gov/members/find-your-member

🔗 You can also visit:
http://senate.gov/
http://house.gov/

PEAK Parent Center will continue to monitor developments, share updates as reliable information becomes available, and provide trusted information, training, and support to Colorado families.

We are here. We are paying attention. And we are not going anywhere.

06/16/2026

When children with disabilities are separated from their peers, even with the best intentions, we send a message about who belongs and who doesn't.
Inclusion is not just about access to a classroom. It's about friendships, shared experiences, high expectations, and being valued as a member of the community.
When students learn together, everyone benefits. Children develop empathy, acceptance, problem-solving skills, and a deeper understanding of the diverse world around them. Most importantly, students with disabilities grow up knowing they belong.
Segregation in childhood often leads to segregation in adulthood. Inclusion creates pathways to meaningful relationships, employment opportunities, community participation, and independence.
Every child deserves the chance to learn, grow, and belong alongside their peers.
Because belonging is not something that should be earned.
It's a right.

06/16/2026

𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝘂𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗧𝗶𝗽: 𝗠𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻!
Did you know that one of the best ways to help children learn and remember new skills is to engage multiple senses at the same time?
In this week's Summer Tuesday Tip, we demonstrate how simple activities can combine:
👀 Visual learning
👂 Auditory learning
✋ Tactile learning
🏃 Kinesthetic learning
Using something as simple as identifying and counting coins, children can see it, hear it, touch it, and move while they learn. This approach creates stronger memory connections and can be especially effective for neurodiverse learners.
The best part? You don't need expensive materials or complicated lessons. Just 5–10 minutes of playful, hands-on practice each day can build confidence and strengthen foundational skills.
Watch the video for easy ideas you can try at home this summer!
What is your child's favorite hands-on way to learn? Share in the comments.

06/15/2026

💙 Tip of the Week 💙
One of the most powerful phrases you can bring into an IEP, 504, or school meeting is:
👉 “Help me understand.”
When you hear something that surprises you, concerns you, or simply doesn’t make sense, try asking:
• Help me understand how the team arrived at that decision.
• Help me understand what data supports that recommendation.
• Help me understand what interventions have been tried.
This simple phrase can shift a conversation from defensiveness to dialogue.
Advocacy is not always about having the right answer. Sometimes it is about asking thoughtful questions that lead to better understanding and stronger collaboration.
Give it a try and let me know how it goes.
EducationalAdvocacy Collaboration StudentCentered IDEAdvocacy

06/14/2026

I recently listened to Tom Holland on Amy Poehler's Good Hang with Amy Poehler Fans Podcast, and one part of the conversation really stayed with me.

Tom shared that he has severe dyslexia and that one of the reasons he has never hosted Saturday Night Live is because he is terrified of reading cue cards live on television. He described how reading aloud can sometimes cause him to freeze, even though he is a successful actor who performs in front of millions of people.

As an educational advocate, I think there is an important reminder in that story.

A disability does not disappear because someone is successful.

Too often, we assume that if a student is getting good grades, earning awards, or achieving their goals, their challenges must be gone. But many students work incredibly hard behind the scenes to navigate learning differences, anxiety, attention challenges, and other barriers.

Tom Holland's story is a reminder to look beyond what we see on the surface.

Our students are so much more than their struggles, but their struggles are still real.

Let's continue creating environments where students can build on their strengths, receive the supports they need, and know that asking for help is not a sign of weakness.

And if you haven't listened to the Good Hang Podcast yet, you really should.

06/12/2026

Please tell me I'm not the only one...

One minute you're focused and productive.

The next minute you're dipping your paintbrush in your coffee, putting your phone in the refrigerator, or walking into a room with absolutely no idea why you went there.

Apparently, my brain likes to keep things interesting.

What's the most ridiculous thing you've accidentally done on autopilot?

Asking for a friend. 😉

06/11/2026

📚 Could It Be Dyslexia?

Many families notice their child is working hard, trying their best, and still struggling with reading. It can be difficult to know when reading challenges are a normal part of learning and when they may be signs of something more.

In this Episode of Ask the Advocate & Special Education Teacher Series, we discuss some common signs of dyslexia and what families can do if they have concerns.

Some signs may include:
✔ Difficulty sounding out words
✔ Slow or laborious reading
✔ Challenges with spelling
✔ Frustration or avoidance when reading
✔ Reading struggles despite quality instruction and effort

One of the most important messages from this episode: Trust your instincts. If something doesn't feel right, it's okay to ask questions and start a conversation with your child's educational team.

Early identification and support can make a tremendous difference.

🎥 Watch Episode: How Do I Know If My Child Might Have Dyslexia?

💡 Have a question you'd like us to answer in a future episode? Leave it in the comments or email us at [email protected].

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQx5n5bFgks

06/11/2026

Schools where everyone belongs > separate programs.

Get started on the right path to inclusion with us this summer: inclusiveschooling.com/the-way-summer-2026/