f your child’s IEP feels incomplete, confusing, or delayed—you are not alone. In this episode of Ask the Advocate, Karen Mayer Cunningham tackles rapid-fire questions from parents, educators, and advocates facing real-world special education challenges.

✨ Inside this episode:

• What makes present levels “pristine, prescriptive, and puffy” (and why most are pitiful).
• Paraprofessional roles: what the law actually says about direct supervision.
• How to request an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE)—and who pays for it.
• LRE vs. self-contained: when mainstreaming is appropriate, and when it isn’t.
• FBAs, BIPs, and behavior—why responses aren’t enough without interventions.
• 504 vs. IEP: the real differences and why settling for accommodations often fails students.
• Transportation, speech/assistive technology minutes, and what happens when schools are out of compliance.
• Discipline, manifestation meetings, and the truth about DAEP placements.

📘 Karen also introduces her brand-new book, The Epic IEP™—a powerful playbook for parents, educators, and advocates. Pre-order now and unlock $500+ in exclusive bonuses: https://theepiciep.com
➡️ Next step for families & advocates:
Join The Academy for weekly live coaching and 250+ hours of professional development: Enroll in The Epic IEP™ Academy
📩 Need an advocate to attend meetings or review records? Email us at [email protected]
When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. —Karen Mayer Cunningham

Support the show

✨ 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.

📚 Browse now: https://amzn.to/3RiQPLl
(As an Amazon Associate, Karen may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you.)

...