From Hot Mess to Head of the Table & Beyond
Our collection is designed to help you walk into any IEP or 504 meeting with confidence.
Browse this page to find books, workbooks, and tools that turn your questions into clear requests and your notes into an organized system.
Your purchase also helps provide low-cost and scholarship advocacy for other families.
Hot Mess to Head of the Table walks you through the special education process from “I think something is wrong” to “I am ready for this meeting.”
Inside you will find:
Clear explanations of IEPs, 504 plans, and your basic rights
A simple system to organize emails, records, and meeting notes
Guides for requesting evaluations and following timelines
Sample phrases for letters, emails, and meeting requests
Checklists, logs, and planning pages you can use again and again
You can read it straight through or jump to the part that fits what is happening with your child right now.
This book is written by a former special education teacher, consultant, and advocate who is also a parent to a child with disabilities. It is grounded in real classrooms and real kitchen table conversations.
You will not find legal jargon or scare tactics. Instead, you will see
Plain language explanations
Real life examples from actual advocacy work
Tools that have been tested with families, not just theories
A calm, encouraging tone that reminds you that you are not alone
Every chapter is designed so you can learn something, then immediately put it into action.
Families use this book as a roadmap when they feel overwhelmed, unheard, or unsure what to ask for next.
It can help you
Turn your parent gut feelings into clear written concerns
Prepare for IEP and 504 meetings with specific questions and goals
Track data so you can see what is working and what is not
Follow up after meetings so plans turn into real support at school
Feel more confident, organized, and ready to speak up for your child
Whether you are brand new to IEPs or you have been in meetings for years, this book gives you a structure and language that make advocacy feel possible.
Two Formats, Same Powerful Tools
Whether you choose the paperback or the ebook, this is more than a one-time read. It is a toolkit you can return to whenever something changes in your child’s IEP or 504 plan. Highlight it, flag pages, and use the logs and checklists repeatedly as your child moves through school.
Every purchase also supports our non-profit, Bridges 2 Advocacy, in its work with families who need low-cost or scholarship advocacy.
