Navigating the world of special education can be overwhelming, especially when it's time for your child's Individualized Education Program (IEP) meeting. Whether it's your first time sitting at the table or you're revisiting your child's plan due to a grade-level transition or update, the stakes are always high. As a father and advocate for my son with special needs, I know firsthand the challenges and emotional weight these meetings carry. I'm writing this to help fellow dads and families prepare for IEP meetings with confidence, clarity, and the tools to ensure the best outcomes for their children.

As the school year winds down, many families are getting ready to shift into summer mode. But if you’re raising a child with disabilities, this is actually one of the most important times to take action: it’s IEP planning season.

The next few months offer a critical opportunity to reflect, reassess, and prepare for the school year ahead. And with changes being discussed at the federal level that could impact special education services, it’s more important than ever to be proactive and informed.

Early intervention is a game-changer for children with developmental delays or disabilities. The first few years of life are critical for brain development, and the sooner your child receives the support they need, the better their chances for success later on. In this post, we’ll explore what early intervention is, why it matters, and how you can get started.

Raising a child with disabilities isn’t just another parenting challenge—it’s a unique, deeply personal journey that tests every part of your being. I’ve experienced firsthand the overwhelming emotional, practical, and societal hurdles that come with this role. In this post, I’d like to share the six main challenges I’ve faced as a father, along with the strategies that helped me transform these obstacles into opportunities for growth.

Raising children is challenging enough on its own—but when one child has different developmental or neurodiverse needs, the dynamics within the family can shift dramatically. Every child deserves to feel seen, valued, and included. Yet, in many families, neurotypical siblings can sometimes feel overlooked or burdened by the extra attention their sibling with unique challenges requires.

When we began our journey with Harley, we had no idea how much of our lives would become centered around doctors, therapies, and the search for answers. By the time Harley turned three, he had already undergone three medical procedures. Simultaneously, early intervention therapies ramped up, and we found ourselves thrust into the overwhelming and often confusing world of medical care.

The journey to Harley’s Early Intervention was one filled with uncertainty, resilience, and love. From the first milestones to noticing subtle delays, we trusted our instincts and found hope through therapy and community. Read how this journey shaped our family’s path forward and the lessons we learned along the way.