The Understanding Tree

The Understanding Tree Mom, IEP advocate, and creator of The Understanding Tree. Hi, I’m Courtney — a wife, mom to three strong daughters, and grandma to two beautiful grandkids.

I help families and educators understand behavior, emotions, and personality so kids feel seen, supported, and confident in who they are. My husband and I have been married for over 26 years. He spent over two decades as the CEO of his own company and is now retired. We split our time between California and Arizona, balancing family, purpose, and peace. Our daughters are all making their mark — on

e is the founder of a well-known skincare line, one is a dedicated paralegal, and our youngest, who is 10, is thriving in an online public school thanks to a well-supported IEP. In fact, Courtney’s Piece was born because of her. She has Sensory Processing Disorder and other challenges, and I quickly had to become an expert in therapies, special education rights, and the IEP process to support her. I understand what it feels like to be in the fight — because I’m in it every day, just like you. My journey didn’t start with her, though. I was also an IEP student growing up. So I bring a unique perspective: both as someone who’s lived it and now as a mom and advocate supporting my own child. My Experience & Specialties
🧠 IEP and Special Needs Advocacy
I've spent years learning how to navigate the school system, attend IEP meetings, and fight for services — and I now help other parents do the same.

🌀 Sensory Processing Disorder Knowledge
From calming tools to behavioral responses, I’ve become a trusted guide for other families with SPD kids.

👩‍🏫 Public Speaker & Mentor
I've spoken to audiences of over 100 people and mentored many through their parenting, leadership, or advocacy journey.

🏡 Assistant Manager of a Rental Property Business
I help run our family’s real estate investment company, handling management, organization, and customer service.

🧬 DISC Personality Profiling
I’ve taken intensive courses in DISC behavioral analysis, which I use in mentoring and communication coaching.

🌱 Growth & Personal Development Advocate
I’ve been part of Brendon Burchard’s Growth Day community for over 4 years, always striving to level up personally and professionally.

🏕 Community Leader
I served over 5 years as a Girl Scout leader and currently help organize drives and donations for HealthBridge Children’s Hospital in Orange County, CA.

📚 Online School and IEP Parenting Expert
I support my daughter through an online public school with an IEP, so I understand the systems, struggles, and solutions inside and out.

🔇 Single-Sided Deaf with Sign Language Knowledge
I’m hearing impaired myself — I learned SEE sign in childhood and am currently learning ASL to better connect with others in the community. This site, Courtney’s Piece, is my way of giving back. I’m here to help parents become advocates, empower families to speak up, and create a place where you don’t feel alone. Thanks for being here. I see you. I’m with you. And I believe in what’s possible for your child.

📚 New Article PublishedAs both a former IEP student and a parent of a child with executive functioning challenges, routi...
06/11/2026

📚 New Article Published

As both a former IEP student and a parent of a child with executive functioning challenges, routines have played a huge role in our lives.

Many people see planners, checklists, visual schedules, and organizational systems as simple tools. But for some children and adults, they can be the difference between feeling overwhelmed and feeling successful.

In my newest article, I share why routines support executive functioning, emotional regulation, and independence, along with some personal experiences from both my own journey and my daughter's.

One of the biggest lessons I've learned is this:

💙 "Structure is not punishment for every child. Sometimes it's peace."

If you work with children, support students with IEPs, are a parent, educator, advocate, or simply want to better understand executive functioning, I invite you to check it out.

👇 Read the article here:
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/why-routines-help-emotional-regulation-courtney-pedersen-il0nc

I'd love to hear what routines or supports have made a difference in your home, classroom, or life.

"Structure is not punishment for every child. Sometimes it's peace.

Summer may mean a break from school, but children still need emotional support, regulation tools, and guidance as they n...
06/04/2026

Summer may mean a break from school, but children still need emotional support, regulation tools, and guidance as they navigate new routines and transitions.

"Children do not stop needing emotional support just because school ends." -Courtney Pedersen As educators, therapists, and parents, we often spend months preparing students for academic success.

Address

Whittier, CA

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when The Understanding Tree posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to The Understanding Tree:

Shortcuts

Share