Advocacy Unfiltered

In this episode, we take a deep dive into the most overlooked — and most powerful — part of the IEP: the Parent Input Statement. We break down how to clearly and confidently articulate your child’s actual needs, why vague concerns hurt your advocacy, and how specificity changes everything. If you’ve ever minimized your concerns or struggled to put them into words, this episode will help you stop underselling your child and start documenting what truly matters.

In this episode, we’re diving into the one thing that can change the entire tone of an IEP meeting: data. I’ll show you how to collect simple, meaningful documentation at home, what real data actually looks like, and how to use it to strengthen your advocacy when the school says, “We don’t see that here.” If you’ve ever felt dismissed, doubted, or gaslit, this episode gives you the tools to walk into meetings with confidence—receipts in hand.

In this episode, Courtney breaks down one of the most powerful — and most misunderstood — parent rights in special education: Prior Written Notice. When the school says no, this is the document that forces them to explain why. Learn what PWN is, what it must include under IDEA, how it protects you, and how to use it strategically when teams refuse evaluations, services, placements, or supports. If you’ve ever walked out of a meeting feeling dismissed or stonewalled, this episode is your new playbook.

In this episode of Advocacy Unfiltered, Courtney breaks down the real difference between a 504 Plan and an IEP — what each one does, who qualifies, and how to know which your child actually needs. Learn how both protect your child’s rights, what “FAPE” really means, and why “we’ll just do a 504” isn’t always enough.

In this episode of Advocacy Unfiltered, Courtney breaks down the IEP; what it is, who qualifies, and how it actually works. Learn what every section means (without the jargon), how to tell if your child’s plan fits their needs, and the red flags to watch for. Because understanding the IEP is the first step to using it with confidence, and finally feeling like you belong at the table.

Courtney breaks down what “We don’t do that here” really means and how to respond. Learn why schools say it, why it’s not a valid excuse under IDEA, and how to use Prior Written Notice to turn refusals into accountability. A calm, confident guide for parents facing pushback in IEP meetings.  

Join me for a brief introduction to my new podcast, Advocacy Unfiltered.