About Special Education Essentials: For Parents & Families
Welcome to the Special Education Essentials for Parents and Families podcast. Your host is attorney David Tollner. Special Education Essentials was created to impart knowledge and understanding for families with children who have learning disabilities, such as Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, Anxiety/Depression, Vision and Hearing Impairment, etc. Guests of the podcast will be professionals in the special education and disability services industry who support children with special needs.
Assessing Your Child’s Learning Challenges — Getting the IEP
Attorney David Tollner discusses the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, independent educational evaluations, and strategies for dealing with uncooperative school districts, offering insights into securing appropriate educational services in this interview.
14 Jul 2025
Tailoring Educational Programs for Students with Learning Differences with Julie Smith
David Tollner interviews Julie Smith about Stanbridge Academy's tailored educational programs, small class sizes, and individualized learning plans for students with learning differences.
27 Jun 2025
Innovative Special Education Solutions with Lisa O'Hearn-Keck
Lisa O'Hearn-Keck discusses Palo Alto Preparatory's special needs support through experiential learning, individualized attention, and unique programs in an interview with David Tollner, highlighting the importance of collaboration with families.
17 Jun 2025
Dyslexia Decoded: A Guide for Parents with School Leader Kristen Atkins
School Leader Kristen Atkins discusses phonological awareness, literacy skills, and progress monitoring for students with dyslexia with David Tollner in an interview, highlighting the need for proactive parental involvement.
5 Jun 2025
Community & Legal Support for Special Needs Families with April McCoy
Attorney April McCoy discusses community and legal support for special needs families, focusing on resources like LACY, COPA, and Disability Rights California in an interview with David Tollner.
23 May 2025
Personalized Learning & Special Needs with Danielle Beiser of Fusion Academy
Danielle Beiser of Fusion Academy discusses personalized learning and Fusion Academy's one-on-one educational model that caters to students with special needs in this interview with David Tollner.
29 Apr 2025
The Role of Psychologists in Special Ed & IEPs with Dr. Brendan Pratt
Special Education Essentials: For Parents & Families with David Tollner, Episode 6
In this episode of Special Education Essentials: For Parents & Families, David Tollner speaks with licensed psychologist (CA PSY17794), Brendan Pratt, Ph.D. Dr. Pratt is owner of The Pratt Center, which specializes in psychological testing and school meeting support in the Bay Area.
Tune in to the episode to hear about:
* The importance of comprehensive evaluations for children with learning disabilities to ensure accurate diagnoses and effective support strategies, emphasizing the critical role of keeping thorough records and active participation by parents
* The significance of recording IEP meetings for clarity and accurate documentation, as well as preparing meticulously for such meetings to ensure all concerns are addressed
* The common mistakes parents make, such as not keeping proper records or seeking evaluations prematurely, and offers guidance on the appropriate times and reasons to seek professional assessments
Learn more about Dr. Brendan Pratt:
* Visit The Pratt Center’s website: http://www.prattcenter.com (http://www.prattcenter.com)
* Call: 650-200-0053
* Email: info@prattcenter.com (mailto:info@prattcenter.com)
Disclaimer: The law is complex and this podcast does not cover all situations, legal responsibilities, or variations in different circumstances. This podcast is for entertainment and informational purposes only and nothing contained in this podcast should be construed as legal advice. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or Tollner Law Offices. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. This podcast is not intended to replace legal advice.
Tollner Law Offices offers new clients in California a free 20-minute consultation. To get started, please complete the initial intake form by clicking on this link: https://tollnerlawoffices.cliogrow.com/intake/MriSWly5j2QEG-c5s3os8w (https://tollnerlawoffices.cliogrow.com/intake/MriSWly5j2QEG-c5s3os8w))
9 Apr 2025
Providing Tailored Education to Children with Special Needs with Dr. Marina Vaserman
Special Education Essentials: For Parents & Families with David Tollner, Episode 5
In this episode of Special Education Essentials: For Parents & Families, David Tollner speaks with Dr. Marina Vaserman, founder of Open Mind School and a foster parent in Santa Clara County and a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), championing the rights of vulnerable youth.
Tune in to the episode to hear about:
- The importance of specialty schools in providing tailored education to children with special needs, highlighting the unique approach of Open Mind School in Northern California, which focuses on inclusivity and lifelong learning
- The significance of creating engaging and flexible learning environments and details the school's extensive application process that ensures family involvement and partnership in the education journey
- An explanation of parents' legal rights under the IEP process, encouraging families to explore specialty schools if public schools are not meeting their child's needs and to seek legal avenues for funding these placements if necessary
Learn more about Marina Vaserman:
- Visit Open Mind School’s website: http://openmindschool.org (http://openmindschool.org)
- Connect with Dr. Vaserman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marina-vaserman (https://www.linkedin.com/in/marina-vaserman/)
Disclaimer: The law is complex and this podcast does not cover all situations, legal responsibilities, or variations in different circumstances. This podcast is for entertainment and informational purposes only and nothing contained in this podcast should be construed as legal advice. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or Tollner Law Offices. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. This podcast is not intended to replace legal advice.
Tollner Law Offices offers new clients in California a free 20-minute consultation. To get started, please complete the initial intake form by clicking on this link: https://tollnerlawoffices.cliogrow.com/intake/MriSWly5j2QEG-c5s3os8w (https://tollnerlawoffices.cliogrow.com/intake/MriSWly5j2QEG-c5s3os8w))
25 Mar 2025
The Importance of Collaboration in IEPs with Molly Matava
Special Education Essentials: For Parents & Families with David Tollner, Episode 4
In this episode of Special Education Essentials: For Parents & Families, David Tollner speaks with Molly Matava, special education and IEP advocate.
Tune in to the episode to hear about:
- Molly’s role in helping parents navigate the IEP process, emphasizing the importance of documenting information and collaborating with school districts
- The distinctions between what an advocate can do versus when it might be necessary to hire an attorney, stressing that most issues can be resolved without legal intervention
- The importance of understanding the IEP process and being prepared for educational transitions to ensure continued support for children with special needs
Learn more about Molly Matava:
* Connect with Molly on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/molly-matava-davey-4817706 (https://www.linkedin.com/in/molly-matava-davey-4817706)
Disclaimer: The law is complex and this podcast does not cover all situations, legal responsibilities, or variations in different circumstances. This podcast is for entertainment and informational purposes only and nothing contained in this podcast should be construed as legal advice. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or Tollner Law Offices. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. This podcast is not intended to replace legal advice.
Tollner Law Offices offers new clients in California a free 20-minute consultation. To get started, please complete the initial intake form by clicking on this link: https://tollnerlawoffices.cliogrow.com/intake/MriSWly5j2QEG-c5s3os8w (https://tollnerlawoffices.cliogrow.com/intake/MriSWly5j2QEG-c5s3os8w))
22 Feb 2025
IEP 101: 10 Essential Rules for Meaningful Progress (Part 3)
Special Education Essentials: For Parents & Families with David Tollner, Episode 3
In this episode of Special Education Essentials: For Parents & Families, David Tollner presents part 3 of his series, IEP 101: 10 Essential Rules for Meaningful Progress. Did you miss Parts 1 and 2? See them here:
* Part 1 — https://youtu.be/jhXx94b6Lfs
* Part 2 — https://youtu.be/3BYu0vhxcrw
Tune in for these key takeaways:
* The importance of having clear goals of what you want for your child's education
* The importance of parents involving experts, such as therapists and privately funded specialists, in IEP meetings to provide valuable insights and recommendations
* Use of Independent Educational Evaluations (IEE) as a means for parents to obtain and use outside expert assessments to challenge school evaluations
* The importance of accurate records and detailed, data-driven discussions with a suggestion of using Parent Addendums to outline consent and objections to parts of the IEP
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About Special Education Essentials: For Parents & Families
Welcome to the Special Education Essentials for Parents and Families podcast. Your host is attorney David Tollner. Special Education Essentials was created to impart knowledge and understanding for families with children who have learning disabilities, such as Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, Anxiety/Depression, Vision and Hearing Impairment, etc. Guests of the podcast will be professionals in the special education and disability services industry who support children with special needs.
Disclaimer: The law is complex and this podcast does not cover all situations, legal responsibilities, or variations in different circumstances. This podcast is for entertainment and informational purposes only and nothing contained in this podcast should be construed as legal advice. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or Tollner Law Offices. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. This podcast is not intended to replace legal advice.
Watch more episodes of Special Education Essentials: For Parents & Families:
* https://specialeducationcounsel.com (https://specialeducationcounsel.com)
* https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdlPs4LOlySNZkoCB2G6bJA (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdlPs4LOlySNZkoCB2G6bJA)
Connect and learn more from your host, David Tollner:
* Website: https://specialeducationcounsel.com (https://specialeducationcounsel.com)
* Email: dtollner@tollnerlawoffices.com (mailto:dtollner@tollnerlawoffices.com)
* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-tollner-162b657b (https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-tollner-162b657b)
22 Feb 2025
IEP 101: 10 Essential Rules for Meaningful Progress (Part 2)
Special Education Essentials: For Parents & Families with David Tollner, Episode 2
In this episode of Special Education Essentials: For Parents & Families, David Tollner presents part 2 of his series, IEP 101: 10 Essential Rules for Meaningful Progress. This episode focuses on how to improve your child's IEP. Did you miss Part 1? See it here: https://youtu.be/jhXx94b6Lfs
Tune in to hear about:
* Detailed strategies on how parents can better engage in the IEP process, such as knowing what they want to achieve, asking extensive questions, and reviewing reports
* Understanding the importance of accurate baselines for goals in IEPs and the necessity of multiple goals if a child presents multiple deficit areas
* The legal rights of parents in IEP meetings, urging them to be thorough in their participation and highlighting the consequences of not being adequately prepared
Read Part 3:
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About Special Education Essentials: For Parents & Families
Welcome to the Special Education Essentials for Parents and Families podcast. Your host is attorney David Tollner. Special Education Essentials was created to impart knowledge and understanding for families with children who have learning disabilities, such as Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, Anxiety/Depression, Vision and Hearing Impairment, etc. Guests of the podcast will be professionals in the special education and disability services industry who support children with special needs.
Disclaimer: The law is complex and this podcast does not cover all situations, legal responsibilities, or variations in different circumstances. This podcast is for entertainment and informational purposes only and nothing contained in this podcast should be construed as legal advice. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or Tollner Law Offices. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. This podcast is not intended to replace legal advice.
Watch more episodes of Special Education Essentials: For Parents & Families:
* https://specialeducationcounsel.com (https://specialeducationcounsel.com)
* https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdlPs4LOlySNZkoCB2G6bJA (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdlPs4LOlySNZkoCB2G6bJA)
Stay tuned for podcast links
Connect and learn more from your host, David Tollner:
* Website: https://specialeducationcounsel.com (https://specialeducationcounsel.com)
* Email: dtollner@tollnerlawoffices.com (mailto:dtollner@tollnerlawoffices.com)
* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-tollner-162b657b (https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-tollner-162b657b)
22 Feb 2025
IEP 101: 10 Essential Rules for Meaningful Progress (Part 1)
Special Education Essentials: For Parents & Families with David Tollner, Episode 1
In this inaugural episode of Special Education Essentials: For Parents & Families, your host, attorney David Tollner, introduces this new podcast and shares part one of his “IEP 101” series. The podcast aims to provide valuable information to parents navigating the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process for children with special needs. The first three episodes will impart 10 key rules to abide by when preparing for an IEP meeting to ensure these meetings are productive and that the child is progressing as much as possible.
Tune in to the episode to hear about:
* David’s extensive professional background, with a highlight on his transition from a business litigator to a passionate advocate for children with disabilities
* The first three of David’s 10 essential rules for families preparing for and getting through IEP meetings: #1 record the meeting; #2 be respectful but firm; and # be thoroughly prepared
* The importance of these practices in ensuring meaningful educational progress for children
* A glimpse into future episodes of the podcast featuring guests from the special education industry
View Part 2: https://youtu.be/3BYu0vhxcrw (https://youtu.be/3BYu0vhxcrw)
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About Special Education Essentials: For Parents & Families
Welcome to the Special Education Essentials for Parents and Families podcast. Your host is attorney David Tollner. Special Education Essentials was created to impart knowledge and understanding to families with children who have learning disabilities, such as Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, Anxiety/Depression, Vision and Hearing Impairment, etc. Guests of the podcast will be professionals in the special education and disability services industry who support children with special needs.
Disclaimer: The law is complex and this podcast does not cover all situations, legal responsibilities, or variations in different circumstances. This podcast is for entertainment and informational purposes only and nothing contained in this podcast should be construed as legal advice. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or Tollner Law Offices. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. This podcast is not intended to replace legal advice.
Watch more episodes of Special Education Essentials: For Parents & Families:
* https://specialeducationcounsel.com (https://specialeducationcounsel.com)
* https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdlPs4LOlySNZkoCB2G6bJA (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdlPs4LOlySNZkoCB2G6bJA)
Connect and learn more from your host, David Tollner:
* Website: https://specialeducationcounsel.com (https://specialeducationcounsel.com)
* Email: dtollner@tollnerlawoffices.com (mailto:dtollner@tollnerlawoffices.com)
* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-tollner-162b657b (https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-tollner-162b657b)
Who has been a guest on Special Education Essentials: For Parents & Families
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Julie Smith
Lisa O'Hearn-Keck
Kristen Atkins
April McCoy
Danielle Beiser
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
4 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 34 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
55
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
32
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