Are you worried about how 2025 New IEP changes could affect your child’s education? With sweeping policy shifts happening at both federal and state levels, it’s more important than ever to understand what’s changing—and how to protect your child’s rights. In this episode of The Parenting Cipher, host Genie Dawkins breaks down what these updates really mean and how parents of neurodiverse children can stay ready, empowered, and protected.
Genie Dawkins unpacks how new proposals—from block grants and vouchers to moving IDEA under Health and Human Services—are poised to reshape how children with disabilities receive support. She explains what’s at risk and what parents can do today to keep their advocacy strong.
Learn how the government’s proposals to close the Office of Special Education and shift IDEA oversight could change protections, funding, and how services are delivered to your child.
Understand how the loss of federal rules weakens IEP accountability and what that means for equity, especially in Black, Brown, and low-income communities.
Some states are strengthening support (like California’s transition planning laws), while others are adding harsh attendance and discipline rules that target IEP students.
Every email, service log, and meeting summary matters. Genie explains how to build a rock-solid paper trail to protect your child under unstable policies.
Advocacy is a long game. Genie breaks down how to pace yourself, request parent accommodations, and build your local advocacy network.
Audit your child’s current IEP for gaps
Request IEP review or meeting before next term
Document everything in writing (emails, meeting notes)
Look up your state’s new attendance or discipline policies
Build a support team—nonprofits, legal aid, other parents
Prepare for co-planning: You’re the captain, not a guest
Child Trends Report – On school discipline & disparities
California Neurodiversity & Discipline Policy Updates (show notes)
RSA Program Info – Vocational & transition services
“Advocacy isn’t a sprint—it’s a marathon. Systems are designed to wear you down. But when you pace yourself and build community, you move from reacting to leading.”
“We’re not letting the government lead us. We’re in a Fight the Power mode right now.”
“Just because it says ‘this is the law,’ go get a pro bono lawyer. Find your nonprofit org of advocates. We still have power—especially when we move together.”
Genie Dawkins is the host of The Parenting Cipher, a parent advocate, speaker, and education equity strategist with over 25 years of experience. As a mother of two neurodiverse sons, she combines personal grit with deep policy knowledge to help parents decode the IEP process and fight for their children’s right to learn, thrive, and be seen.
She’s also a bestselling author and the creator of the “30 School Secrets” series for neurodiverse families navigating public education in uncertain times.
Feeling overwhelmed by policy changes or worried your child’s IEP won’t survive the 2025 shakeup?
📥 Download Genie’s free IEP Guide – your roadmap to confident, empowered advocacy.
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💬 Comment below to share your advocacy win—or the challenge you're preparing for in 2025.