THE ABC OF THE IEP: FIELD NOTES FOR PARENTS
A short, practical podcast that breaks down the special education process one concept at a time so parents can advocate with clarity and confidence.
What The ABC of the IEP Podcast is About
Special education can feel like learning a new language overnight. Acronyms, legal terms, assessments, and meetings all appear at once. The ABC of the IEP podcast breaks the process down into simple, easy-to-understand pieces so parents can move forward with confidence rather than confusion.
Each short episode focuses on one concept in the IEP process. Topics include accommodations, behavior plans, evaluations, eligibility, placement, and the laws that guide how services are delivered.
The goal is simple: help parents understand the system well enough to advocate effectively for their child.
Listen to an Episode
Free Episode Companion Handouts
Each episode includes a companion handout designed to help parents apply what they learned. These resources summarize key concepts, explain important terms, and provide questions you can bring to your next IEP meeting.
When you click the subscribe button below, you'll get access to these handouts and be added to the newsletter, where you'll receive new resources, updates, and practical guidance to support your child's education.
Breaking Down the IEP From A to Z
Each episode focuses on one key concept in special education:
A is for Accommodations
F is for FAPE
L is for Least Restrictive Environment
P for Parent Participation
Instead of overwhelming parents with everything at once, each episode explains one concept clearly, with real-life examples and practical tips.
Episodes are short enough to listen to on a walk, during school pickup, or while folding laundry.
The science of learning tells us that small, focused pieces of information stick better than long lectures. This podcast uses that idea deliberately.
Who This Podcast Is For
We created this podcast for:
Parents starting the IEP process
Parents trying to understand evaluation results
Families navigating their first IEP meeting
Parents who feel overwhelmed by special education jargon
Families trying to advocate without conflict
If you’ve ever walked into an IEP meeting and felt like everyone else understood the rules except you, this podcast is for you.
Meet Your Host
Monica Trost
Licensed Educational Psychologist
Parent of a neurodivergent child
Monica has sat on every side of the IEP table. As a school psychologist, she evaluated students and participated in IEP teams. As a parent, she has navigated the system for her own child.
This dual perspective allows her to explain the process in a way that is both clinically accurate and deeply practical for families.
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Need More Than Information?
Listening to the podcast is a great first step. But sometimes families need personalized support navigating evaluations, eligibility, or IEP meetings.