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Wrightslaw: All About IEPs

Wrightslaw: All About IEPs is my #1 recommended resource for parents, educators, and advocates. 

It breaks down every component of the IEP in an organized, easy-to-navigate format while connecting each topic to the relevant statutes, regulations, and case law that support access to education and a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). Whether you're preparing for an IEP meeting, learning your rights, or strengthening your advocacy, this book is an invaluable reference that belongs on every advocate's shelf.

Social Situation Mapping: Making Sense of the Social World

Social Situation Mapping: Making Sense of the Social World is one of my favorite resources for understanding how context and environments influence learning, communication, and behavior. Although it is widely recognized for supporting social learning, I've found the framework to be incredibly valuable for developing academic, functional, and speech-language goals as well.

What makes this resource so effective is its visual mapping approach. It helps break down real-life situations by identifying what is happening, the expectations of the environment, how the student may be thinking or feeling, the possible actions and reactions, how others may be thinking or feeling, and the likely outcomes of different choices. This structured process makes abstract social concepts much more concrete, teachable, and most important, easier to document for data and collaboration with other professionals.

From an IEP development perspective, I recommend this book because the mapping process naturally supports goal development, progress monitoring, and specially designed instruction. The same framework can be used to map classroom expectations, academic performance, executive functioning, communication, self-regulation, peer interactions, and functional life skills, making it a versatile resource for parents, educators, speech-language pathologists, related service providers, and advocates who want to create meaningful, context-based supports for students.

Wrightslaw: From Emotions to Advocacy 2nd (second) edition Text Only

Wrightslaw: From Emotions to Advocacy (2nd Edition) is one of the most practical resources I've used to help families navigate special education. It provides clear strategies for effective advocacy, understanding IDEA, organizing records, communicating professionally, and building collaborative relationships while staying focused on achieving meaningful outcomes for students with disabilities. It's a foundational guide for both new and experienced advocates.

Wrightslaw All About Tests and Assessments, 2nd Edition

Wrightslaw: All About Tests and Assessments (2nd Edition) is an excellent resource for parents, educators, and advocates who want to learn more about special education evaluations and assessments. 

It explains the purpose of educational, psychological, and functional assessments, how to interpret results, and how evaluation data should guide eligibility, IEP development, and educational decisions. This book helps readers better understand the assessment process and use evaluation data to advocate for appropriate supports, services, and a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE).

Wrightslaw: Special Education Law, 2nd Edition

Wrightslaw: Special Education Law (2nd Edition) is an essential reference for anyone who wants to learn more about the legal foundations of special education. I highly recommend this book for parents, advocates, educators, attorneys, and other professionals seeking a deeper understanding of IDEA and related laws. 

It explains the statutes, regulations, and key court decisions that shape special education, making it an invaluable resource for learning about students' rights and the legal principles that support a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). Whether you're preparing for meetings, navigating disputes, or simply expanding your knowledge, this is a resource you'll return to time and time again.

Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Regulations: as of February 14, 2020

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Regulations is an excellent reference for parents, advocates, educators, attorneys, and other professionals who want to view the IDEA regulations in one place, on the go, without relying on technology. 

I especially recommend this edition because it's perfect for highlighting, tabbing, and adding personal notes as you build your knowledge over time. It also makes a great companion to your child's IEP, allowing you to reference applicable regulations, align them with the IEP, and track important notes and provisions throughout your child's educational journey.

The Autistic Brain: Helping Different Kinds of Minds Succeed ― Autism Advocate Temple Grandin’s Goodreads Choice Award-Winning Neuroscience Guide

The Autistic Brain: Helping Different Kinds of Minds Succeed explores the latest neuroscience alongside Temple Grandin's personal experiences to provide a deeper understanding of autism and the incredible diversity of autistic minds. This book challenges outdated assumptions and offers valuable insights for parents, educators, advocates, and professionals seeking to better understand and support autistic individuals.

On a personal note, I had the privilege of meeting Temple Grandin early in my advocacy journey as a parent while living in Colorado Springs. Hearing her speak and witnessing her passion for understanding and supporting autistic individuals left a lasting impression on me. Her work has continued to influence my perspective on neurodiversity and the importance of recognizing the unique strengths and potential of every individual.

Autism and Education: What Parents and Teachers Need to Know (The Way I See It)

Autism and Education: What Parents and Teachers Need to Know (The Way I See It) is a practical resource that offers valuable insights into supporting autistic students in educational settings. Drawing from Temple Grandin's lived experience and decades of advocacy, the book provides thoughtful perspectives on learning, communication, sensory differences, and strategies that can help students succeed. I recommend this book for parents, educators, advocates, and anyone looking to better understand how to create supportive, inclusive learning environments.

The Autistic Brain

The Autistic Brain: Helping Different Kinds of Minds Succeed offers a unique perspective on autism by combining the latest neuroscience with Temple Grandin's lived experience. This book explores how autistic brains work, challenges common misconceptions, and highlights the strengths and diversity of autistic individuals. I recommend it for parents, educators, advocates, and professionals who want to deepen their understanding of autism and embrace a strengths-based approach to supporting autistic individuals across home, school, and the community. It has helped me learn so much, it will help you too!

Autism and Adolescence: What Teens and Adults Need to Know (The Way I See It)

Autism and Adolescence: What Teens and Adults Need to Know (The Way I See It) is one of the books I frequently recommend because it addresses a stage of life that is often overlooked in autism resources. Adolescence brings significant changes for every child, but for autistic teens, navigating hormones, emotions, friendships, evolving social expectations, increasing independence, self-advocacy, and identity can present unique challenges and opportunities. Understanding these developmental changes is essential for parents, educators, advocates, and professionals who want to provide meaningful support during the transition into adulthood.

On a personal note, I recommend Temple Grandin's books because they have been some of the most valuable resources throughout my own family's journey. As a former educator, a parent, and now an advocate, her perspective has helped me better understand autism through both lived experience and practical application. Her work has shaped my approach to advocacy and continues to remind me that supporting autistic individuals means understanding not only their educational needs but also their growth as whole people throughout every stage of life.

Visual Thinking: The Hidden Gifts of People Who Think in Pictures, Patterns, and Abstractions

Visual Thinking: The Hidden Gifts of People Who Think in Pictures, Patterns, and Abstractions is a thought-provoking read that helps readers better understand the many ways people process information and experience the world. Through research, personal experiences, and practical insights, this book highlights the strengths of visual thinkers and encourages a broader appreciation of neurodiversity. 

The Social Success Workbook for Teens: Skill-Building Activities for Teens with Nonverbal Learning Disorder, Asperger's Disorder, and Other Social-Skill Problems

The Social Success Workbook for Teens is a practical, hands-on resource designed to help adolescents build confidence in navigating everyday social situations. Through engaging activities and real-world scenarios, it supports the development of communication, perspective-taking, problem-solving, relationship-building, and other essential social skills. 

I recommend this workbook for parents, educators, counselors, and advocates who want to help teens strengthen social competence in a supportive and structured way. While every individual's needs are unique, this resource offers practical tools that can be adapted to support a wide range of learners as they build confidence and independence.

Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics, Grades K-12: 14 Teaching Practices for Enhancing Learning (Corwin Mathematics Series)

Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics, Grades K–12 is one of my favorite resources for reimagining how mathematics can be taught through collaboration, problem-solving, and critical thinking rather than rote memorization. While it's designed for mathematics educators, I've also found many of its strategies to be incredibly valuable when supporting gifted learners who thrive on challenge, curiosity, and opportunities to think deeply.

From my experience as an educator and advocate, gifted students and twice exceptional learners often need learning environments that prioritize productive struggle, flexible thinking, rich discussions, and meaningful problem-solving. The practices in this book encourage exactly that. I recommend it for educators, parents, and advocates looking to better understand instructional approaches that can help gifted students remain engaged, challenged, and excited about learning.

Seven Steps to College Success: A Pathway for Students with Disabilities

Seven Steps to College Success: A Pathway for Students with Disabilities is an excellent resource for students with disabilities, families, educators, transition specialists, and advocates preparing for life after high school. It provides practical guidance on planning for college, understanding disability accommodations in higher education, developing self-advocacy skills, and navigating the transition from the protections of IDEA to the accommodations available under disability laws in college. 

I recommend this book for anyone helping students build the knowledge, confidence, and independence needed for a successful transition to postsecondary education and beyond.