Parent guides
Special education and services for your child, explained simply
School, agencies, evaluations: each guide explains the official process, then the concrete steps in Lumina so you don't miss anything.
Agencies & benefits
Regional Centers, early intervention (Early Start, ECI, Early Steps), SSI and Medicaid waivers.
- California Regional Centers: intake, eligibility and the IPPHow California's 21 Regional Centers work: who qualifies under the Lanterman Act, intake and assessment timelines, the Individual Program Plan (IPP) and Early Start.Read the guide
- Early intervention from birth to 3: Early Start, ECI and Early StepsHow Part C early intervention works in California (Early Start), Texas (ECI) and Florida (Early Steps): referral, evaluation, the IFSP, the 45-day timeline and the transition at age 3.Read the guide
- SSI for children and Medicaid waivers in California, Texas and FloridaSupplemental Security Income for children with disabilities, and Medicaid home and community-based waivers in California, Texas and Florida: how they work, why to apply early, how to stay organized.Read the guide
School: IEP & 504
IEPs, 504 plans, evaluations, IEP and ARD meetings, Florida ESE, testing accommodations.
- What is an IEP? A plain-English guide for parentsEligibility, evaluation, the IEP meeting, annual reviews and re-evaluations: how an Individualized Education Program works, and how to keep it all organized in Lumina.Read the guide
- 504 plans: accommodations for students with ADHD, dyslexia, anxiety and moreWhat a Section 504 plan is, who qualifies, typical accommodations, how to request one and keep it working year after year, with the step-by-step process in Lumina.Read the guide
- IEP vs. 504 plan: what's the difference, and which one does my child need?Two laws, two plans. A side-by-side comparison of IEPs and 504 plans: eligibility, services, meetings, protections, and how to keep track of either in Lumina.Read the guide
- How to prepare for an IEP meeting (or ARD meeting in Texas) without stressWho attends, what to bring, how to write a parent concerns letter and follow up after the meeting: a practical checklist, and the summary ready in Lumina.Read the guide
- How to request a special education evaluation (with state timelines)Why to ask in writing, what happens next, timelines in California, Texas and Florida, and what to do if you disagree with the results, step by step in Lumina.Read the guide
- Testing accommodations: state tests, SAT and ACTExtended time, breaks, read-aloud, a computer: how testing accommodations work for state tests (CAASPP, STAAR, FAST) and how to request them for the SAT and ACT.Read the guide
- The ARD meeting in Texas: how special education decisions are madeIn Texas, the IEP team is the ARD committee. How the FIE, notice, the meeting and the 10-day recess work, and how to prepare with Lumina.Read the guide
- Dyslexia services in Texas schools: screening, evaluation and instructionKindergarten and first-grade screening, evaluation under IDEA, dyslexia instruction and accommodations: how Texas schools support students with dyslexia, and how to track it in Lumina.Read the guide
- Exceptional Student Education (ESE) in Florida: evaluations, IEPs and scholarshipsHow Florida's Exceptional Student Education works: requesting an evaluation, the 60-school-day timeline, the IEP, FDLRS, and the scholarship for students with unique abilities.Read the guide
Everyday care
Evaluations, ADHD, autism, and appointments prepared in five minutes.
- Neuropsychological vs. school evaluations: what's the difference?Private neuropsychological evaluations, school psychoeducational evaluations and IEEs: what each one covers, who pays, how to prepare your child and how to use the report.Read the guide
- ADHD: organizing care between home, school and doctorsObservations, appointments, 504 plans and IEPs, communication with teachers: a method to keep track of your child's ADHD care without burning out, all in one Lumina binder.Read the guide
- Autism: coordinating therapists, school and agencies without losing the threadSpeech, OT, ABA, school, Regional Center or waiver programs: how to coordinate your autistic child's care, share the right information and keep every document in one place.Read the guide
- Prepare a doctor's appointment or school meeting with a clear care summaryDoctor, IEP meeting, agency, new therapist: how to prepare any appointment in 5 minutes with a chronological PDF summary and the evaluations attached.Read the guide