2023 came and went with several strong advocacy cases. Alongside other parents, I was able to address issues of eligibility, FULL accessibility, proper evaluations for children with Autism, deafness and ADHD. I also supported families as they advocated for proper school placements. I’m very proud of how the cases ended, with relationships in tact and improvements make to the IEP’s. I consulted in Missouri, California, Hawaii, Alaska and Virginia.
I developed this new logo because I want to provide parents and school providers with a bridge to walk across, together.
A year ago I sat down and blogged about my frustration being called “Mom” during my children’s IEP meeting.
Well, they did it again. I asked at the beginning of the meeting to be called Chelsea and then one my child’s providers arrived late. She started calling me “Mom” repeatedly after clearly taking control of the meeting.
So often, we parents sit back frustrated, not wanting to repeat ourselves. Instead we think about what our biggest battle is and it sure isn’t being called “mom” by my child’s IEP team.
I make every effort to call people by their proper names and to remember their names. I expect teachers and service providers to take the time to learn my first name and call me by it too. I will not however, let that steer me away from my #1 issue I chose to address this IEP season. We actually had a great IEP meeting and I was able to ask, again, to be addressed by my first name. More importantly, without predetermination, we were able to create a plan to address Elijah’s needs.
My advice to other parents is PICK YOUR BATTLE each school year. What is it that you want your child to receive in his/her IEP that’s not in there? Focus there.
Don’t get too caught up in name calling….that’s for the birds.
Still on a big house in a little prairie,
Chelsea Hull
Chelsea Hull 
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