IEP Tips for Parents: How to Advocate for Your Teen at School

Is your teen struggling in school, but you keep hitting roadblocks trying to get them support? The IEP process can feel overwhelming, and for Black and minority families, there are often extra barriers.

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In this episode, I sit down with Maria Davis-Pierre, a licensed mental health counselor, autism advocate, and founder of Autism in Black. As a mom who has been through the IEP process more times than I can count, I know how hard it is. Maria shares her own family's journey through the special education system, the hidden biases that keep many Black and minority children from getting the right support, and practical ways to advocate with confidence.

We also talk about one of the most important parts of the process for teens: helping them take part in their own IEP, so they learn to advocate for themselves.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

• The signs your teen may need learning support, starting with sudden changes in behavior
• Your rights under IDEA, and why knowing them gives you leverage
• Why Black and minority students are often labeled behavior problems instead of getting support
• How to involve your teen in their IEP so they learn to advocate for themselves
• Discreet accommodations that help without putting your teen in the spotlight
• How to use your teen's interests to make learning click

EPISODE CHAPTERS

• 00:00 Why the IEP process feels so overwhelming
• 00:57 Maria's story and how Autism in Black began
• 02:49 The school biases parents may not see
• 05:16 Why minority parents have to advocate differently
• 06:49 The first step when you think your teen needs help
• 09:04 Know your rights under IDEA
• 11:31 Signs your teen may have a learning difficulty
• 14:39 Overcoming the stigma of getting an IEP
• 16:22 When your teen resists accommodations
• 17:23 Accommodations that keep teens out of the spotlight
• 18:46 Why your teen should be in their IEP meetings
• 20:14 Why support at school needs to be normalized
• 23:52 Using your teen's interests to help them learn
• 27:16 Building the right accommodations into the IEP
• 28:48 Give yourself and your teen grace

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• Autism in Black
• Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

CONNECT WITH MARIA DAVIS-PIERRE

• Website: AutismInBlack.org
• Instagram: @autisminblack

CONNECT WITH DR. CAM CASWELL

• Website: AskDrCam.com
• Instagram: @DrCamCaswell
• Parenting Teens Academy

ABOUT THE SHOW

Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam is hosted by Dr. Cam Caswell, an adolescent psychologist and certified parenting coach. Each episode gives you practical strategies, expert advice, and real-world insight to build a stronger relationship with your teen.

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