Navigating Special EducationThe Book

A book for parents

Navigating Special Education

A Parent's Guide to Rights and Advocacy

Your go-to guide for understanding your child's special education rights and advocating with confidence.

Get the book on Amazon (opens in a new tab) Edición en español

By Dana Jonson, MSEd, JD, special education attorney and parent

The book Navigating Special Education, with an IEP Ahead road sign and signs reading Know Your Rights and Ask For Services on the cover
What this book offers

Clear answers for every step

Written by a special education attorney who has also been a special education teacher, administrator, and a parent of children with IEPs.

Understand your rights

Clear, accessible breakdowns of the IDEA and Section 504 laws.

Build advocacy skills

Practical tips, real scripts, and powerful tools to advocate with.

Navigate the IEP process

Step-by-step help for evaluations, IEP meetings, goals and objectives, and more.

Inside the book

Table of contents

Eighteen chapters and twelve appendices with checklists, sample emails, and planning guides. Tap a section to open it.

Before you begin 5
  1. Acknowledgements
  2. Preface
  3. Legal Disclaimers
  4. Key Terms and Acronyms in Special Education
  5. Introduction
Chapters 1 to 6 6
  1. 1Understanding Special Education
    • Key Terminology You Need To Know
    • What Is Special Education?
    • Myths and Misconceptions About Special Education
    • Final Thoughts: Knowledge Is Power
  2. 2Funding For Special Education
    • Overview Of Funding Sources
    • Applying For Financial Assistance
    • Understanding The Budgeting Process
    • Final Thoughts: Securing and Advocating For Special Education Funding
  3. 3Identifying Your Child's Needs
    • Signs Your Child May Need Support
    • Differences Between Disabilities
    • Effective Evaluations
    • Final Thoughts: The Power Of Effective Assessments
  4. 4The IEP Process
    • Understanding The IEP
    • Steps to Develop An IEP
    • What To Do When It Breaks Down
    • Final Thoughts: Taking Charge Of The Process
  5. 5Building A Support Team
    • The Role Of Parents As Advocates
    • Who Should Be On Your Team?
    • Communication Strategies With Educators
    • Final Thoughts: Navigating The Labyrinth Together
  6. 6Navigating The School System
    • Understanding Your Rights As A Parent
    • What Districts Are Responsible For
    • How To Handle Conflicts With Schools
    • Final Thoughts: Holding The System Accountable
Chapters 7 to 12 6
  1. 7Accommodations, Modifications, and Related Services
    • Types Of Accommodations
    • Understanding Modifications
    • Related Services, The Backbone Of Support
    • Final Thoughts: The Right Supports At The Right Time
  2. 8Transition Planning
    • Importance Of Early Planning
    • Steps For Successful Transitions
    • Tools For Transition Readiness
    • Final Thoughts: Preparing For A Future That Works
  3. 9Behavioral Challenges
    • Functional Behavioral Assessments (FBAs): Decoding Behavior
    • Behavioral Intervention Plans (BIPs): The Roadmap To Solutions
    • Restraint And Seclusion: Protecting Your Child's Rights
    • Final Thoughts: Behavior Is Not the Problem, Misunderstanding It Is
  4. 10Discipline Protections Under The IDEA
    • Manifestation Determination Review (MDR)
    • Patterns Of Removal: One Day Here, Two Days There... Add Up
    • Alternative Placements: Navigating Detours
    • Final Thoughts: Your Child's Rights Do Not Get Suspended
  5. 11Bullying, Harassment, And Intimidation
    • Finding Your Way Through A Difficult Landscape
    • Your Rights When Your Child Is Bullied (or The Bully Themself)
    • Taking Action: Steps For Prevention and Resolution
    • Final Thoughts: Safety Is Not Optional
  6. 12Navigating School Avoidance And Truancy
    • Understanding School Avoidance And Truancy
    • Root Causes And Legal Protections
    • Getting Support And Taking Action
    • Final Thoughts: From Absences To Answers
Chapters 13 to 18 6
  1. 13Advocating for Your Child
    • Understanding Your Role As An Advocate
    • Building Collaborative Relationships
    • Turning Advocacy Into Action
    • Final Thoughts: The Long-Term Impact Of Advocacy
  2. 14Emotional Well-being For Parents
    • Coping With Stress And Anxiety
    • Self-Care Strategies
    • Finding Humor In The Chaos
    • Final Thoughts: Balancing Advocacy And Emotional Well-being
  3. 15Navigating Field Trips And Extracurricular Activities
    • Finding Inclusive Programs
    • Encouraging Participation
    • Advocating For Lasting Change
    • Final Thoughts: Building A More Inclusive Future
  4. 16Building Independence
    • Teaching Core Life Skills: Building Everyday Confidence
    • Encouraging Social Independence
    • Preparing For Employment and Post-Secondary Opportunities
    • Final Thoughts: Setting Up For A Successful Future
  5. 17Celebrating Milestones
    • Recognizing Progress
    • Creative Ways To Celebrate
    • Documenting Your Child's Journey
    • Final Thoughts: Embracing The Journey
  6. 18Staying Informed
    • Your Advocacy Toolkit
    • Joining Support Networks
    • Engaging In Policy And Legislative Advocacy
    • Final Thoughts: Parents Are The Frontline Of Advocacy
Appendices 12
  1. IUnderstanding What Evaluations Cover
  2. IIIs It Time To Request An Evaluation Checklist
  3. IIISample Email To Request An Evaluation
  4. IVIEP/Eligibility Meeting Checklist
  5. VIEP Goals Checklist For Parents
  6. VIAge-Appropriate Ways For Kids To Join The IEP Process
  7. VIIYour IEP Team Map
  8. VIIIParent Concerns And Prep Guide
  9. IXSample Email Template To Report Bullying
  10. XAdvocacy Quick Start Checklist
  11. XILife Skills Readiness Checklist
  12. XIIAdvocacy and Special Education Resource Guide

Easy reference in an app

Navigating Special Education: The Parent App is a companion to the book, not a copy of it, but you do not need the book to use the app. The book gives you the depth; the app keeps you on track.

  • Step-by-step guidance before, during, and after IEP meetings
  • Email drafts, reviews, meeting prep, and a record of what you sent and when
  • Your information stays on your phone
Learn about the app (opens in a new tab) Coming soon to the App Store and Google Play
Dana Jonson with her family
About the author

Dana Jonson, MSEd, JD

Dana Jonson, MSEd, JD, is a Connecticut-based Civil Rights attorney who has dedicated her career to advocating for children with disabilities. As an experienced special education attorney, Dana guides families through every phase of the special education process, from IEP meetings to courtroom litigation, with empathy, tenacity, and deep expertise.

Before entering law, Dana was a special education teacher and administrator and held a K–12 certification in Intensive Special Needs. Her dual background in education and law gives her a rare insider's view of the system she now helps families navigate. She holds a JD from Northeastern University School of Law, a Master of Science in Education from Simmons College with a focus on Intensive Special Needs, and a BS in Developmental Psychology from Fairfield University.

Dana also hosts the popular podcast Special Ed on Special Ed, where she and fellow experts break down complex topics to empower parents and caregivers. She regularly leads workshops for families and educators, turning complicated legal rights into clear, actionable guidance.

A mother of five children with varying special education needs and a foster parent to many more, Dana understands firsthand the challenges parents face. Her lived experience fuels her unwavering commitment to helping families find their voice, understand their rights, and advocate effectively.

Contact

Bulk orders, speaking, and interviews

For copies for your school or parent group, workshop and speaking requests, or interviews, please contact the publisher, StarrWay Press.

Contact the publisher