SPECIAL EDUCATION INSIGHTS
When You Know More,
You Can Ask Better Questions.
Practical guidance from Maureen Brown on IEPs, special education advocacy, BSEA decisions, therapeutic placement, college transition, and the questions families don't always know to ask.
Find guidance based on what you're working through right now.
LATEST FROM THE BLOG
Recent Insights From Maureen
Practical guidance on IEPs, advocacy, placement, transition, and the decisions families are facing right now.
How to Read an IEP A Parent’s Plain Language Guide
Confused by your child’s IEP? This plain-language guide walks Massachusetts parents through each section, what to look for, and the questions to bring to the next team meeting.
When a School Accepts Your Child And Then Tries to Walk Away
A private residential school accepted a student knowing his full history. They built his IEP around his specific challenges. They readmitted him after two other placements failed. And then they tried to terminate him — citing behaviors that had been present since day one.
The Bureau of Special Education Appeals said no.
This is a pattern I've seen too many times in my practice. A family finally secures a placement, exhales for the first time in years, and then the calls start. Staff are concerned. Things are escalating. And before long, an emergency termination letter arrives — sometimes without any warning at all.
What families need to know is this: a private special education school cannot accept a student for the very behaviors that define their disability and then use those same behaviors to push them out. The law requires more than that. A lot more.
A decision issued just this week out of Massachusetts makes that crystal clear.
The full breakdown is on the blog. If you're watching this unfold with your own child right now, you don't have to figure it out alone. #asktheadvocate #stayput
Should Dyslexia Be Its Own Special Education Category? What Parents Need to Know
Option 2: Bold + Opinion (your voice)
Here we go again… changing labels instead of fixing the real problem.
A new bill would make dyslexia its own category under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
Yes, dyslexia needs attention—but let’s be honest:
👉 Kids aren’t struggling because of the category
👉 They’re struggling because they’re not getting the right support
Focus on services. Always.
A.J.T. v. Osseo Area SchoolsWhat This Supreme Court Case Means for Parents of Children with Disabilities
In AJT v. Osseo Area Schools, the U.S. Supreme Court addressed an important question about the rights of students with disabilities and the legal standards families must meet when seeking remedies under federal disability laws. The case centers on whether families pursuing claims under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) must prove a higher level of wrongdoing—such as bad faith or gross misjudgment—beyond what is required under IDEA.
The outcome has significant implications for parents seeking accountability when a school fails to provide appropriate supports. At its core, the case highlights the ongoing tension between procedural compliance and meaningful access to education, and it may clarify how difficult it is for families to obtain relief when schools fall short of their obligations.
Bold Journey Magazine Interviews Ask the Advocate Founder
https://boldjourney.com/meet-maureen-brown/
Bold Journey Magazine Interviews Owner and Founder Maureen Brown, Ask the Advocate about here perspective on special education, and advice for parents and professionals.
When Disability Becomes a Political Target — Families Like Ours Pay the Price
"He just looked at me and said, 'Those people, the costs. Why don't they die?'" Fred said.
://www.cbc.ca/radio/thecurrent/fred-trump-disabled-people-1.7288890
MASSACHUSETTS BSEA DECISIONSBSEA Decisions, Without the Legal Jargon.
When a special education dispute in Massachusetts reaches the Bureau of Special Education Appeals, the decisions can tell families a lot about how hearing officers look at evidence, placement, evaluations, stay-put rights, district obligations, and FAPE. Maureen breaks down selected BSEA decisions in plain language so you can understand what happened, why the hearing officer ruled the way they did, and what families can learn from the case.
NEED MORE THAN AN ARTICLE?
Your Child's Situation Isn't Generic.
Your Next Step Shouldn't Be Either.
Articles can help you understand the issue. But your child's records, history, school district, and current situation determine what comes next. If you need help figuring out your next move, start with the level of support you need.
I NEED DIRECTION
Education Strategy Session
A focused 30-minute conversation with Maureen to talk through your situation, understand your options, and decide what to do next.
I NEED MY DOCUMENTS REVIEWED
Document Review + Strategy
Maureen reviews up to two documents before your 30-minute strategy call so you can discuss the records, concerns, and next steps together.
BSEA Decisions from Summer 2026.
How parents can use it to determine how hearing officers make decisions.