Episodes

  • 152. Is Your Child’s IEP Ready for Middle or High School? Do This NOW Before Fall

    152. Is Your Child’s IEP Ready for Middle or High School? Do This NOW Before Fall
    Apr 17 2026
    Ensure your child’s IEP is ready for the move to middle or high school. IEP Coach Tonya Wollum shares a 5-step checklist to secure services and smooth transitions before the school year ends.
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    9 mins
  • 151. Why Special Needs Parents Are Financially Burned Out — And What to Do About It

    151. Why Special Needs Parents Are Financially Burned Out — And What to Do About It
    Apr 13 2026
    Are you feeling the weight of the "Disability Squeeze"? Learn how to identify financial burnout and the first steps toward stability for special needs families.
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    48 mins
  • 150. The IEP That Almost Destroyed an Honors Student

    150. The IEP That Almost Destroyed an Honors Student
    Mar 28 2026
    In this episode, Tonya breaks down a case study of a twice-exceptional (2e) student—someone who is academically gifted but struggling with the biological hurdles of ADHD.
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    Less than 1 minute
  • 149. The ESY Myth—Maintenance, Not Summer School

    149. The ESY Myth—Maintenance, Not Summer School
    Mar 20 2026
    "Summer School" and "ESY" are not the same thing—and using the wrong word could cost your child their services.
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    6 mins
  • Episode #148: Faith and Disability: Where Community Becomes Home (with Guest John Fela) - Part 2

    Episode #148: Faith and Disability: Where Community Becomes Home (with Guest John Fela) - Part 2
    Mar 13 2026
    Discover how faith and disability intersect as John Fela shares his journey of raising a non-verbal autistic son and finding a church community that truly welcomes all.
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    Less than 1 minute
  • Episode #147: The Tale of Two Parking Lots: Navigating Marriage and Crisis with John Fela (Part 1)

    Episode #147: The Tale of Two Parking Lots: Navigating Marriage and Crisis with John Fela (Part 1)
    Mar 6 2026
    Join Tonya Wollum and guest John Fela for a raw, honest look at special needs parenting for a child with non-verbal autism. We discuss the challenges of an autism diagnosis, navigating medical crises like Chiari malformation, and managing the strain of divorce in the special needs community.
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    29 mins
  • Episode #146: Proximity is Not a Program: Moving from Inclusion to Belonging

    Episode #146: Proximity is Not a Program: Moving from Inclusion to Belonging
    Feb 27 2026
    Does your child spend their day in the general education classroom, but you suspect they aren't truly included? In this episode of Water Prairie Chronicles, we are unpacking the dangerous myth that "proximity is a program." Just because a student is physically in the room doesn't mean they belong. Join me as we break down the difference between mainstreaming and true inclusion, explore the transformative power of a sensory audit, and learn how to write IEP goals that prioritize social connection over mere compliance. Let’s help your child find their place on the dance floor.
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    5 mins
  • Episode #145: The "Draft IEP" Secret: How to Take Control of Your Meeting Before It Starts

    Episode #145: The "Draft IEP" Secret: How to Take Control of Your Meeting Before It Starts
    Feb 20 2026
    Learn the "Draft IEP" secret to stop predetermination. Get Tonya Wollum’s expert scripts for requesting IEP drafts and auditing goals to lead your child's next meeting with confidence.
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    8 mins