Stress-Free IEP®: Building the Village — A Year in Review 

No Family Should Have to Do This Alone 

Welcome to Stress-Free IEP®, the show where families learn how to build a village so they can raise neurodivergent children with confidence and support. 

I’m Frances Shefter, special education attorney, advocate, and fellow parent walking this journey alongside you. 

From the very beginning, this podcast has had one clear purpose: helping families figure out who belongs in their child’s village. The right people, systems, and supports can completely change a child’s trajectory—and no parent should have to guess their way through that process. 

This past year, I had the privilege of hosting 38 guests. Each one brought practical tools, hard-earned wisdom, and real-world solutions families can actually use. Below are some of the conversations that stood out. 

Independent Living & Life Skills Schools Rarely Teach 

Episode 85 — Arlene Leckner & Melissa Hochberg (EASE) 
We talked about dating, consent, relationships, and social skills for neurodivergent teens and adults—topics that are often ignored in schools but are essential for long-term independence and safety. 

Episode 95 — Joan Green, SLP 
An eye-opening conversation about assistive technology and the Tech Life Inner Circle community. Joan breaks down how families can maximize tools and programs they already own instead of constantly buying new ones. 

Episode 97 — Melissa Niland 
Melissa explained how travel training helps individuals learn bus routes, metro systems, and navigation skills—practical independence that extends far beyond the classroom. 

Family Support & Caregiver Resources 

Episode 88 — Andrea Jones (Caregiver’s D.R.E.A.M.) 
A powerful discussion about Disability, Rights, Education, Advocacy, and Movement, and the work being done to pursue health and education equity for families with neurodiverse children in Washington, DC. 

Episode 89 — Amanda Levin (NeuroSpice Girls) 
Peer support matters. Amanda shared how NeuroSpice Girls creates community through WhatsApp groups, Facebook spaces, and in-person gatherings across the greater DC area. 

Episode 90 — Mary McDirmid (All Needs Planning) 
Financial planning is not just for families with money. This episode tackles why planning is critical for parents of children with disabilities—and how to start, regardless of your financial situation. 

Episode 111 — Frances Shefter (Solo Episode) 
My Top 10 Legal Tips for a Successful IEP Meeting, along with a free downloadable resource available on our website to help parents walk into meetings prepared and confident. 

Community-Based Programs & Real Opportunities 

Episode 105 — Andrea Levy 
A deep dive into after-school programs, adaptive sports, and community-based opportunities available in Montgomery County. 

Episode 98 — Casey Joseph (Casey’s Special Education Services) 
Breaking the traditional special education mold to help students thrive, while also building community through events across the DMV area. 

Complementary & Integrative Supports 

Episode 87 — Lisa Quinn (Reach Every Voice / Communication for Education) 
We discussed AAC devices and why training—for families and school staff—is just as important as the technology itself. 

Episode 99 — Lauri Getlan-Watson 
An introduction to Neurographica art and how it supports focus, calm, and creativity for neurodivergent students and adults. 

Episode 117 — Gabrielle Czaja, PT 
A meaningful conversation about emotional regulation, physical ease, and healing through the Masgutova Neurosensorimotor Integration (MNRI) Method, which works to integrate primitive reflexes and support learning, motor skills, and nervous system regulation. 

Conversations That Stay With You 

Episode 113 — Lauren Gilbert 
Author of Ella and Her Neurosparkly Brain. Lauren shared her journey as a mother, advocate, and writer while living with stage-four colon cancer, and why she wrote books for both of her children. 

Episode 122 — Janelle McCarthy 
A licensed counselor and play therapist, Janelle challenged the idea that behavior should always be excused by disability. We reframed behavior as communication and discussed the difference between consequences and punishment—especially when safety is involved. 

Looking Back—and Ahead 

As I reflect on this past year, I’m deeply grateful for these conversations about life skills beyond the classroom, caregiver support, community programs, and the many ways families build a village outside of school. 

Some of these discussions stayed with me—and I hope a few stayed with you, too. 

If this post resonated, subscribe to Stress-Free IEP® so you never miss an episode, and share it with someone who belongs in your village. 

Next week, we’ll shift from looking back to looking ahead, with a preview of the guests joining the show in 2026. 

Remember: you do not have to do this alone.