Your Child Missed Extended School Year (ESY): What Parents Can Still Do

Did your child's IEP team say no to Extended School Year (ESY) services this summer — or was the “assistive tech” box never checked at all? In this episode, The Parenting Cipher breaks down why an ESY denial isn't the end of the conversation, how to recognize if your child needs assistive technology, and the concrete steps you can take to build your case before September.

The conversation focused on demystifying both sides of the summer gap: how ESY decisions get made (and how to challenge them) and what assistive tech actually looks like, from low-tech solutions like pencil grips and fidgets to high-tech software that turns speech into text and highlights words as they're read aloud. The discussion explored how to identify if your child's IEP is missing critical services, what to document over the summer, and why it's so important to keep communication lines open — not just with schools, but with your child themselves.

Key Takeaways

• An ESY denial is reviewable — “didn't qualify” is not the final word, and the documentation you gather this summer is what makes a September appeal possible.
• Assistive technology is broadly defined — from simple tools like pencil grips and graphic organizers to sophisticated programs for text-to-speech and speech-to-text, all designed to help children bridge academic gaps and express themselves more fully.
• Many schools overlook assistive technology supports, and parents are often surprised to learn their child is eligible — or already receives them without the IEP “tech” box checked.
• The documentation and observations you gather over summer about regression or lost progress will be powerful evidence if you need to challenge ESY or IEP decisions in the fall.
• Tools like Learning Ally and Sora provide age-appropriate, accessible reading for students with reading challenges — making a huge difference in motivation and comprehension.
• Parents are encouraged to review their child's IEP, identify missing tech supports, and advocate assertively for new or better technology — using provided scripts and strategies.
• Maintaining open, trusting conversations with your child about school, technology needs, and teacher relationships builds their confidence and ensures their voice is heard.

Chapter Markers

• 00:00 — Importance of assistive technology
• 06:26 — Assistive tech for learning support
• 08:41 — Using assistive tech for ADHD
• 12:09 — Text to speech for dyslexic kids
• 16:05 — Using assistive tech for writing
• 20:06 — Assistive technology benefits for students
• 23:04 — Discussing child's communication skills
• 25:47 — Teacher-parent relationship dynamics
• 28:59 — Inviting listeners to subscribe

Links and Resources

• Advocate with Confidence: Advocacy Letter Library and Templates - templates for communicating with schools when services are withheld, denied, or disrupted.
• Parent Centers (nationwide support)
• “It’s Time to Prioritize Assistive Technology for Neurodiversity” – Fast Company article
• Read&Write – Assistive Tech Tool
• Understanding Assistive Technology for Your Child’s Academic Success (Episode Link)
• Child Trends Report
• Book assistive tools recommendations: Learning Ally, Sora (school-provided resources for accessible reading).
• Listen to this podcast to learn on how to use assistive tech to support your child in school.

Quotes:

“The documentation you build this summer, the regression you’re seeing right now, the progress they’ve lost, the services they’re missing is the evidence you’ll need. The work you do in July is what September's IEP meeting will be built on.” – Genie Dawkins

“It only takes one parent to come out and really advocate for their child. When I advocated for assistive tech, now the whole school has it.” – Genie Dawkins

“Sometimes school systems really don’t understand how important assistive technology can be for students. In my mind, any student who has a diagnosis, that assistive technology box should be checked.” – Genie Dawkins

 

Short Biography:
Genie Dawkins is a passionate parent advocate, author, and special education consultant committed to empowering families navigating the special education landscape. Drawing from personal experience and professional expertise, Genie Dawkins helps parents decode school systems, collaborate with educators, and ensure their children receive the supports and services they deserve. Through “The Parenting Cipher,” she creates a supportive community dedicated to demystifying special education and uplifting every family’s journey.