As the mom of a daughter with pretty significant disabilities, the holidays have always been challenging. We’d go to see Santa and take the annual picture. Positioning her on his lap took some time, wiping any drool away and maybe even getting her to smile meant we had to find the really patient Santa and go when there wasn’t a whole line of other kids waiting. I knew exactly which mall had that good Santa. She wasn’t verbal, so atRead more

“The function of freedom is to free someone else.” - Toni Morrison Beginning last spring and into the summer, PEAK Parent Center staff began the momentous task of writing grant proposal applications to continue our work for the Parent Training and Information (PTI) Center project and the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) Shift project. After a ton of work, It came down to the final hours and we rallied as a team to produce two proposals that met the stringent setRead more

Today, we highlight the work of our newest Parent Advisor, Myrna Martin. Myrna joined the PEAK staff in May of 2019 as a Bilingual Parent Advisor so she’s worked pretty well to get her boots muddy in the march to give parents answers, resources, and more as they navigate their own advocacy journeys. Myrna first became involved with PEAK when she herself sought resources and advice from a Parent Advisor for her child. We recently interviewed Myrna about her journeyRead more

In an ideal world, teens would seek their parents’ advice and comfort during troubling times. But, we know that’s not always the case. Parents are often the last people teenagers want to talk to when they’re stressed. And, even if they appear to be adjusting well, teenagers are likely being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. This may be the first substantial crisis of their lifetime, and it is altering typical adolescent experiences such as playing sports or attending group activities.Read more

*Editor's Note: PEAK Parent Center knows the way forward in these uncharted waters amid unprecedented school closures must include collaboration from everyone involved. Education is a community investment. We want each of your voices to be heard; your successes, your struggles, and all that lies between. Therefore, in the coming weeks we will feature tips, questions and answers, and more to provide a way for us to come together (while practicing social distancing) and work toward solutions that help eachRead more

We’ve been busy these last few months creating all things conference. Everyone at PEAK Parent Center is excited and proud to bring you the 34th Annual Conference on Inclusive Education , Discover the Possibilities. Whether you are a veteran attendee or plan to attend for the first time, PEAK’s Annual Conference on Inclusive Education is the premier event to connect you with all things inclusive education. This year’s line-up of keynoters features classic conference names like Jonathan Mooney , who’sRead more

Your child or student with a disability has been placed in the general education classroom. You may have concerns or hesitations about their learning and progress in this setting. How do we set them up for success? How do we make this work all day, in every subject, and in extracurricular activities? First, let’s review the concept of placement in IDEA (the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) which emphasizes that children with disabilities are to be educated to the maximumRead more

While the days are long and hot, the beginning of the school year is just around the corner! As exciting as the beginning of the year is, it can also be stressful for both parents and children. Whether you need planning or advocacy advice for transitions, tips and tricks for behavior, or information about IEPs, PEAK is here to help! From planning for smooth transitions between grades or schools to navigating the IEP, PEAK is offering a handful of FREERead more

So your child has been identified as having a disability. Perhaps you’ve had some concerns about their development and requested an evaluation for special education services. Perhaps your child is transitioning from Part C services (birth-3 years) to Part B (children ages 3-21). In any case, an evaluation has been done to show that your child qualifies for an IEP. Now what? Congratulations! You are now part of your child’s IEP team - and you are the most important memberRead more

Whether you have a child who will be transitioning from preschool to kindergarten, elementary school to middle school, or high school and beyond, transitions can be tumultuous times. And while transitions are a normal and natural time in our lives and necessary for our growth, they can be especially trying when you have a child with a disability. Here are some ideas and insight to make them as seamless as possible. Mindset matters. Good transitions set the tone for positiveRead more