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PODCAST

The Intentional IEP Podcast

Stephanie DeLussey

Are you drowning in IEP paperwork and feeling overwhelmed by the special education process? The Intentional IEP Podcast is your go-to resource for teachers looking to navigate the complexities of Individualized Education Programs, write effective IEPs, and tackle all things related to special education. Join Stephanie, a dual-certified special education teacher, IEP coach, and author, as she transforms the overwhelming IEP process into manageable, actionable steps. Drawing from years of classroom

education education for kids

All Episodes

11:44

E55. 3 Benefits of Sending a Draft IEP Home Before...

The Intentional IEP Podcast ·

2026/05/18

IEP meetings can quickly become overwhelming when families are seeing everything for the first time at the table. In this episode, Stephanie breaks down why draft IEPs are one of the most effective tools for creating smoother meetings, stronger collaboration, and more meaningful parent participation.In this episode, Stephanie:• Explains what a draft IEP actually is and why it should be used as a conversation starter, not a final decision• Teaches the difference between collaboration and

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11:08

E54. Fading Prompts + the Prompt Hierarchy: What...

The Intentional IEP Podcast ·

2026/05/11

If a student can only complete a task when an adult steps in, are we teaching the skill… or teaching dependence? In this episode, Stephanie is unpacking the prompt hierarchy, prompt dependency, and what it actually looks like to fade support in a way that builds real student independence.With practical examples and easy-to-apply strategies, this episode will have you rethinking the way prompting shows up in your classroom.In this episode, Stephanie:• Breaks down the different levels of the prompt

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32:42

E53. From Control to Connection: A Trauma-Informed...

The Intentional IEP Podcast ·

2026/05/05

If student behavior has been leaving you feeling stuck, this episode is one to lean into. This conversation challenges the way we’ve been taught to think about discipline and offers a shift that actually supports long-term change, not just quick fixes.In this episode, Stephanie is joined by Nathan Maynard to break down what it really means to be trauma-informed and how moving from control to connection can completely change how we respond to behavior.Why fear-based discipline often escalates

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11:35

E52. What If a Student Needs a Different LRE?

The Intentional IEP Podcast ·

2026/04/27

LRE conversations can feel heavy, especially when you’re trying to figure out if a student’s current placement is actually working. This episode walks through how to approach those decisions with clarity and confidence so they’re based on what the student truly needs.In this episode, Stephanie breaks down what Least Restrictive Environment really means and how to know when a change might be necessary. She walks through the LRE continuum, the data you actually need, and how to have these

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40:28

E51. Labels Don’t Equal Placement: Making Meaningful...

The Intentional IEP Podcast ·

2026/04/20

If you’ve ever walked out of an LRE meeting knowing the decision didn’t fully make sense, this episode is for you.Whitney and Stephanie get into the side of placement conversations people don’t always say out loud. A diagnosis should never be the reason a student ends up in a certain setting, but it happens all the time. And so does the “we’ve always done it this way” thinking.They talk through what it actually looks like to adjust minutes, why data and the IEP should be leading the conversation,

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11:51

E50. IEP Amendements 101

The Intentional IEP Podcast ·

2026/04/13

IEP amendments are one of the most effective ways to make timely changes to a student’s plan without waiting for the annual meeting. In this episode, Stephanie breaks down how to use amendments to keep IEPs accurate, responsive, and aligned with what students actually need.In this episode, Stephanie covers:what an IEP amendment is and how it workswhen an amendment should be used instead of waiting for a full meetingsix common scenarios where amendments are appropriatewhat can and cannot be

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16:33

E49. 11 IEP Writing Mistakes and How to Fix Them

The Intentional IEP Podcast ·

2026/04/06

If your IEPs feel rushed, inconsistent, or harder than they should be to write, you’re not the only one. A lot of what shows up in IEPs comes down to habits that were never clearly taught. In this episode, Stephanie breaks down the patterns she sees most often and shows you how to clean them up so your IEPs are clearer, stronger, and easier to implement.In this episode, Stephanie covers:11 common IEP writing mistakes that show up across teams and caseloadsWhy these mistakes happen in the first

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10:57

E48. Test-Taking Accommodations: What’s Allowed, What...

The Intentional IEP Podcast ·

2026/03/30

Test taking accommodations can feel confusing for many special education teachers, especially during testing season. Questions often come up about what is allowed, what is not, and how to make sure students are properly supported during assessments.In this episode, Stephanie breaks down what test taking accommodations actually are and how they should be used to support students with disabilities. She also explains the important difference between accommodations and modifications, and why that

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12:40

E47. What to Do When Parents Disagree with the IEP Team

The Intentional IEP Podcast ·

2026/03/23

Disagreements in IEP meetings can feel uncomfortable, especially when emotions are high and everyone in the room is trying to advocate for what they believe is best for the student. But these moments are not unusual. In fact, they are a natural part of the collaborative process.In this episode, Stephanie walks through how special education teachers can navigate parent disagreements with clarity, professionalism, and confidence. She also explains why having strong systems in place throughout the year

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24:25

E46. Managing Special Ed Paperwork Without the Overwhelm

The Intentional IEP Podcast ·

2026/03/16

Paperwork is one of the biggest sources of stress for special education teachers. It’s not just writing IEPs. It’s data logs, service minutes, progress reports, behavior documentation, meeting notes, emails, and reevaluation timelines. Without a clear system, it can quickly start to feel like you’re always behind.In this episode, Stephanie shares a training pulled directly from The Intentional IEP Membership video vault. Instead of constantly reacting to deadlines and documentation demands, this

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15:49

E45. 9 Types of Lesson Adaptations Every SPED Teacher...

The Intentional IEP Podcast ·

2026/03/09

Lesson adaptations are one of the most practical tools teachers can use, yet they are often confused with accommodations and modifications. In this episode of The Intentional IEP Podcast, we talk about how small, intentional adjustments can help students access the same content as their peers.Instead of relying on the same few strategies, expanding your toolbox gives you more ways to support students when they are struggling or feeling overwhelmed. The goal is not to change the learning, but to

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17:38

E44. Test Taking Strategies

The Intentional IEP Podcast ·

2026/03/02

In this episode, we’re talking about a topic that can bring up a lot of mixed feelings in the special education world: test taking.Benchmark assessments, state testing, and standardized exams can feel overwhelming and sometimes disconnected from what matters most in SPED. But here’s the shift we’re making today. We are not teaching to the test. We are teaching students how to show what they know. That is a life skill.In this episode, Stephanie covers:• How to explicitly teach three core test taking

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21:11

E43. Prioritizing IEP Goals

The Intentional IEP Podcast ·

2026/02/23

You sit down to plan your week, look at your caseload, and immediately feel the pressure. Communication goals. Reading fluency. Fine motor. Math facts. Social skills. Behavior. All of it matters. But how are you supposed to work on everything without burning out?In this episode Stephanie tackles the question every special educator asks at some point: How do we actually prioritize IEP goals when time, staffing, and student needs are pulling us in ten different directions?The truth is you cannot

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10:02

E42. Helping Students Build Independence

The Intentional IEP Podcast ·

2026/02/16

Stephanie brings listeners into one of the most important skills we can teach our students independence. It’s not about making our lives easier or stepping back because we’re tired. It’s about helping students gain confidence, take initiative, and develop the skills they need to succeed both in and out of the classroom. In this episode, she shares practical strategies to guide students toward doing more on their own while supporting their growth along the way.Stephanie covers• Why independence

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18:17

E41. Top 6 Special Education Books for Teachers

The Intentional IEP Podcast ·

2026/02/09

In this episode, Stephanie shares the books she returns to again and again — resources that have helped her understand IEPs, advocate confidently, partner with schools, and support children with special needs in real and meaningful ways. Top 6 Books: The Intentional IEP BookThe Special Needs School Survival GuideParents and Professionals Partnering for Children with Disabilities: The Dance That MattersWrightslaw: All About IEPsYour Special Education Rights: What Your School District Isn’t Telling

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15:36

E40. Maintaining Current Skill Levels for Mastered Goals

The Intentional IEP Podcast ·

2026/02/02

Have you ever had a student master an IEP goal, only to come back later and realize that skill didn’t stick?In this episode, Stephanie talks through why skill regression happens after mastery and what teachers can do to maintain IEP goals in ways that actually fit into the school day. This conversation focuses on keeping skills active, supporting generalization, and helping students carry what they’ve learned beyond a single setting or moment.In this episode, Stephanie coverswhy mastered skills fade

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14:09

E39. The Power of IEP Impact Statements

The Intentional IEP Podcast ·

2026/01/26

One short paragraph can make or break an IEP. And yet impact statements are often rushed, copied forward, or treated like filler.In this episode Stephanie breaks down IEP impact statements in a way that actually makes them useful, meaningful, and legally sound. You’ll learn what an impact statement really is, why it matters so much, and how to write one that clearly connects a student’s disability to their educational needs.We cover:What an IEP impact statement is (and what it is not)Why impact

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46:18

E38. Special Ed Law: What You Need to Know

The Intentional IEP Podcast ·

2026/01/19

Whether you’re a veteran teacher, a parent, or brand new to special education, the law matters. It shapes eligibility decisions, service delivery, and what happens when teams disagree. Understanding it is not optional, and it does not have to feel overwhelming either.In this episode, Ashley Barlow, attorney and advocate, breaks down IDEA in clear, practical terms.We cover eligibility, district responsibilities, the biggest mistakes schools make, and how parents and teachers can challenge assessments

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18:10

E37. Understanding the LRE: The Least Restrictive...

The Intentional IEP Podcast ·

2026/01/12

Stephanie breaks down LRE and why most of what we assume about placement is wrong. LRE isn’t about keeping students in general education or giving “less support.” It’s about creating the environment where each student can make real progress with the supports they need.In this episode, Stephanie covers:What LRE really means and why one-size-fits-all placement doesn’t workThe LRE continuum, from general education with supports to specialized programs, with real examplesHow placement decisions should

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17:18

EP36. 5 Misconceptions About Student Behavior

The Intentional IEP Podcast ·

2026/01/05

In this episode, Stephanie breaks down the top 5 misconceptions about student behavior and shows you how to respond in ways that actually work. You’ll learn why kids aren’t “just seeking attention,” why it’s not defiance, and why punishment alone won’t stop behavior.Stephanie shares simple, actionable strategies you can use immediately, from tracking what happens before a behavior with an ABC sticky note to pairing consequences with teachable moments, all while keeping connection first.If there’s

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