A Peaceful Path

Episode Summary:
In this episode, Michelle Becker, a special education attorney, breaks down the transition planning process for students with disabilities as they move from high school into adulthood. She explains when transition planning should start, how to prepare for high school diploma or functional skills pathways, and practical steps parents can take to ensure their child develops independence, career readiness, and life skills. Michelle also highlights community resources like Workability, the Department of Rehabilitation, and Regional Centers that can support students beyond the school system.
Key Timestamps:
00:00 – Understanding transition planning for students with disabilities01:20 – From sophomore year and beyond, with early considerations in elementary school04:30 – Planning for independence and daily life skills09:30 – Fading support over time and building self-sufficiency11:30 – Academic, career, and independent living goals15:00 – Workability, Department of Rehabilitation, and Regional Centers17:30 – Ensuring schools implement comprehensive transition plans19:00 – Forward-thinking planning and prioritizing independence
About the Show:
A Peaceful Path: Special Education Legal Advocacy for Families helps parents navigate the school system with clarity and confidence. Each episode features experts like Michelle Becker, providing actionable guidance on IEPs, transition planning, legal rights, and strategies to prepare students with disabilities for adulthood.

Episode Summary:In this episode of A Peaceful Path, Michelle Becker discusses what parents can do when their child’s behavior begins to interfere with their ability to learn. She explains what typically leads to school suspensions, why parents often feel surprised by disciplinary action, and how special education laws protect children with disabilities. Michelle also covers the importance of manifestation determination meetings and functional behavior assessments (FBAs), offering insight into how these tools help schools and parents better support students with behavioral challenges.
Key Timestamps:00:00 – Introduction to the episode and topic discussion01:10 – Common emotions parents experience when their child faces suspension03:00 – Understanding which behaviors lead to suspension and why05:00 – How teacher communication can sometimes mask behavior issues07:00 – The fine line between typical misbehavior and serious infractions09:30 – How IDEA protects students with disabilities in disciplinary settings11:00 – What happens during a manifestation determination meeting13:00 – When a child’s behavior is a symptom of their disability15:00 – The purpose and process of a functional behavior assessment (FBA)18:00 – How behavior intervention plans (BIPs) support long-term improvement20:00 – Teaching replacement behaviors and improving outcomes21:00 – Closing thoughts and where parents can learn more
About the Show:A Peaceful Path helps families of children with special needs navigate the education system with confidence and clarity. Each episode features insights from Michelle Becker, who shares practical strategies for understanding special education laws, protecting children’s rights, and creating positive educational outcomes for every student.

Episode Summary
In this episode of A Peaceful Path, special education attorney Michelle Becker explores how mental health challenges, such as anxiety, depression, trauma, and school avoidance, are addressed—or overlooked—within the public school system. She breaks down what emotional disturbance (also called emotional disability) eligibility under IDEA really means, how it is assessed, and the legal and educational rights of parents when schools fail to provide appropriate services.
Michelle also highlights the critical difference between private counseling and educationally related mental health services (ERMHS) provided through schools, emphasizing how parents can advocate effectively to ensure their child receives the support they need.
Key Timestamps
00:55 – Defining Emotional Disturbance Under IDEA03:45 – The Impact of COVID on Student Mental Health06:22 – The Evaluation Process and Levels of School-Based Mental Health Services10:48 – Why Private Therapy Is Not a Substitute for School-Based Mental Health Services13:10 – Practical Accommodations for Students with Anxiety and School Avoidance15:55 – Parental Concerns About Emotional Disturbance Labels17:40 – What Parents Can Do If Schools Deny Services
About the Show:
A Peaceful Path is the podcast that empowers parents of children with special needs to navigate the special education system with clarity, courage, and legal insight. Hosted by Michelle Becker, a Los Angeles–based special education attorney, the show covers practical guidance on IEPs, 504 plans, assessments, disputes, and more.
Learn More:
Visit michellebeckerlaw.com to schedule a consultation or explore more resources for special education legal advocacy.

Episode Summary
In this episode of A Peaceful Path, special education attorney Michelle Becker breaks down the complexities of Extended School Year (ESY) services. She explains what ESY is, how it differs from traditional summer school, who qualifies, and how families can advocate for their children when districts deny eligibility. Michelle highlights the importance of understanding regression, recoupment, and the legal steps parents can take when ESY is improperly withheld.
This conversation equips parents with the knowledge to ensure their children receive the services they need beyond the regular school year.
Key Timestamps
00:40 – What is Extended School Year (ESY) and how it differs from summer school02:05 – Who qualifies for ESY and how schools determine eligibility04:20 – Why ESY decisions can vary from year to year06:00 – Regression and recoupment: how schools measure need09:15 – Why ESY is not simply a “make-up” opportunity for missed learning12:45 – Can schools deny ESY even when a child clearly regresses?14:30 – Due process and the risks parents face if they don’t build their case16:50 – How to use IEP meetings strategically to strengthen your advocacy18:30 – Does bringing in a lawyer make things more adversarial?
About the Show:
A Peaceful Path is the podcast that empowers parents of children with special needs to navigate the special education system with clarity, courage, and legal insight. Hosted by Michelle Becker, a Los Angeles–based special education attorney, the show covers practical guidance on IEPs, 504 plans, assessments, disputes, and more.
Visit michellebeckerlaw.com to schedule a consultation or explore more resources for special education legal advocacy.

Episode Summary
In this episode of A Peaceful Path, special education attorney Michelle Becker breaks down one of the most critical elements of the special education process: assessments. She explains how standardized evaluations shape eligibility for services, what parents should know when requesting assessments, and how the results directly influence a child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP).
Michelle provides clear guidance on timelines, the importance of comprehensive testing, and how parents can advocate for accurate evaluations that reflect their child’s real needs. She also highlights strategies for interpreting assessment data, identifying gaps, and pursuing an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) when necessary.
This episode is a must-listen for parents navigating the special education system who want to understand how to secure the right support for their child’s educational success.
Episode Timestamps
00:55 – Why assessments are critical in special education02:30 – The 13 qualifying disabilities and eligibility requirements06:40 – Steps parents must take to request an assessment10:15 – Timelines and deadlines districts must follow13:00 – The difference between assessment data and interpretation15:45 – Identifying reading struggles through assessment data18:20 – Independent Educational Evaluations (IEE) explained20:10 – Why parents must fight when the data supports them
About the Show:
A Peaceful Path is the podcast that empowers parents of children with special needs to navigate the special education system with clarity, courage, and legal insight. Hosted by Michelle Becker, a Los Angeles–based special education attorney, the show covers practical guidance on IEPs, 504 plans, assessments, disputes, and more.
Visit michellebeckerlaw.com to schedule a consultation or explore more resources for special education legal advocacy.

Episode Summary:In this empowering episode, special education attorney Michelle Becker breaks down what parents should do when a school denies an IEP, 504 plan, or assessment request. She explains how to recognize the difference between informal school pushback and a formal legal denial, and what steps parents must take to get the “yes” their child deserves. Whether your child is struggling with reading, attention, or other academic challenges, Michelle provides a practical roadmap for navigating the system with confidence and clarity.
 
Key Timestamps:
00:00 – Welcome to A Peaceful Path00:01 – Introduction to today’s topic: when schools say “no”00:02 – Common types of school denials and how parents typically encounter them00:03 – Why written assessment requests are the key to legal timelines and accountability00:05 – The difference between SST meetings and formal evaluations00:07 – What the law says: timelines for response and parent rights00:08 – Why parental instincts are often right, even when schools push back00:10 – Informal disagreement vs. formal prior written notice of denial00:12 – Legal pathways: resolution sessions, mediation, and due process00:14 – Building a case with practical classroom-based evidence00:16 – Documentation that makes an impact: test scores, anecdotal examples, and red flags00:18 – Real-life examples of how advocacy leads to support00:20 – Final thoughts and where to get help
About the Show:
A Peaceful Path is the podcast that empowers parents of children with special needs to navigate the special education system with clarity, courage, and legal insight. Hosted by Michelle Becker, a Los Angeles–based special education attorney, the show covers practical guidance on IEPs, 504 plans, assessments, disputes, and more.
 
Visit michellebeckerlaw.com to schedule a consultation or explore more resources for special education legal advocacy.

Episode Summary:
In this episode of A Peaceful Path, host Kevin Rosenquist and attorney Michelle Becker dive deep into understanding the IEP (Individualized Education Program) process. Michelle explains the comprehensive nature of IEPs, from eligibility criteria and team composition to goal setting and placement decisions. She emphasizes the importance of parent involvement and provides valuable insights into the legal aspects of special education advocacy.
 
Key Timestamps:
00:01 - Show introduction
00:44 - Definition of IEP and team composition
02:30 - Discussion of autism and eligibility criteria
04:15 - Present levels of performance and goal setting
06:30 - Service provisions and accommodations
08:45 - Least restrictive environment and placement options
11:53 - Parent involvement in decision-making
14:44 - Handling emotional aspects of the IEP process
 
About the Show:
A Peaceful Path is a podcast focused on special education legal advocacy for families with children who have special needs. The show features expert insights from attorney Michelle Becker and host Kevin Rosenquist, providing valuable information and guidance for parents navigating the special education system.

Episode Summary:
In this informative episode, host Kevin Rosenquist and special education attorney Michelle Becker dive deep into Section 504 plans, explaining their differences from IEPs, eligibility requirements, and implementation in schools. Michelle provides valuable insights into how these plans support students with disabilities and shares practical examples of effective accommodations.
 
Key Timestamps:
00:01 - Show introduction
00:29 - Basic explanation of Section 504 plans vs IEPs
03:23 - Discussion on medical diagnosis requirements
08:14 - School responses to 504 plans
09:42 - Teacher accommodations and implementation
13:27 - Examples of effective 504 plan accommodations
17:29 - Relationship between 504 accommodations and IEPs
 
About the Show:
A Peaceful Path is a podcast focused on special education legal advocacy for families with children who have special needs. The show provides expert guidance and practical information to help parents navigate the special education system.

Episode Summary:
In this episode of A Peaceful Path, host Kevin Rosenquist and special education attorney Michelle Becker discuss the realities of special education support and advocacy. Michelle shares insights about common challenges parents face when dealing with school districts, the importance of understanding IEPs (Individual Education Programs), and how proper assessment and data interpretation can make a difference in a child's education journey.
 
Key Timestamps:
00:01 - Show introduction
00:46 - Typical scenarios when parents seek legal help
03:04 - Understanding IEPs and assessment processes
06:08 - Common misconceptions about special education
07:01 - Discussion about fundamental reading skills and educational gaps
09:30 - Legal requirements for educational support
13:01 - Assessment timelines and Child Find law
15:43 - When to seek legal help
 
About the Show:
A Peaceful Path is a podcast focused on special education legal advocacy for families with children that have special needs. The show provides valuable insights, legal guidance, and practical advice for parents navigating the special education system.

Episode Summary:
In this inaugural episode, host Kevin Rosenquist interviews Michelle Becker, a special education attorney who shares her personal journey into special education law. Michelle discusses how adopting twin girls from Romania led her to discover the challenges within the special education system and ultimately inspired her career change. She provides valuable insights into the special education legal process and advocates for better awareness of special education legal rights.
 
Key Timestamps:
00:01 - Show Introduction
00:28 - Michelle's journey into special education law
02:46 - Discussion about adopting twins from Romania
04:27 - Challenges and perspectives in law school
05:37 - Starting her legal practice
08:04 - Explanation of special education law framework
10:25 - Case study example and common challenges
14:19 - Discussion of systemic issues in special education
17:22 - Importance of advocacy and need for more special education attorneys
 
About the Show:
A Peaceful Path is a podcast focused on special education legal advocacy for families with children that have special needs. The show aims to provide valuable information and resources to help parents navigate the complex world of special education rights and services.