Ask the Advocate: Real Questions, Real Answers from the IEP Frontlines

Welcome to Special Education Boss® with Karen Mayer Cunningham — your bold, truth-telling advocate for all things IEP, 504, and student rights. In this debut episode, Karen tackles real-time questions from parents, educators, and advocates during a live “Ask the Advocate” broadcast.

If you’ve ever felt lost, frustrated, or steamrolled at an IEP table, this is the episode you didn’t know you needed. Karen pulls no punches — offering clarity, candor, and laughs as she unpacks the legal and practical sides of special education.

Questions are read aloud by a moderator as Karen responds live with the wit, wisdom, and fire you’ve come to expect from your Special Education Boss®.

Whether you’re new to advocacy or a seasoned warrior, Episode 1 will inspire, equip, and remind you: when we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. 💥

💡 In This Episode, Karen Answers Questions Like:

• What are the criteria for Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)?
• Can I get an aide on my child’s school bus?
• What do I do when the school won’t follow the IEP?
• Is it illegal to pre-determine manifestation determination?
• Can I move my child with an IEP to a new district?
• What’s the truth about compensatory services and how to get them?
• Should parents worry about the future of 504 plans?

📚 Resources & Links Mentioned

• Join The Academy — Weekly training + hundreds of hours of expert content
• Two-Day Intensive Training: Details & Registration
• Need help? Email us at [email protected]

🧠 Key Terms Discussed

• IEP vs. 504
• Prior Written Notice (PWN)
• FAPE & IDEA
• Manifestation Determination
• LRE (Least Restrictive Environment)
• OHI and SLD Eligibility
• Compensatory Education
• OCR Complaints
• Special Education Law (34 CFR §300)

📬 Want Your Question Answered on a Future Episode?
Send your question to: [email protected]

Or message us on Facebook or Instagram @SpecialEducationBoss

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✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

👩‍⚖️ Hosted by Karen Mayer Cunningham, Advocate & Special Education Boss®
Each week, Karen shares real stories, legal insights, and no-nonsense strategies to help you navigate special education with clarity and confidence.

👉 Subscribe & never miss an episode — new episodes drop every week!
🎓 Join The Academy: Weekly live trainings + 250+ hours of advocacy tools & expert resources
🔗 Learn more at The Academy

📬 Have a question? Email us at [email protected]

📱 Follow Karen on:

• TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
• YouTube: Special Education Academy

🧠 Want to level up your advocacy game?
Check out the Advocate's Bookshelf — a curated collection of must-have tools, guides, and legal references every special education advocate should own. From federal code to diagnostic manuals, these are the essentials that help you advocate with clarity and confidence.

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(As an Amazon Associate, Karen may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you.)

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