Operation Sawdust

08/26/2025

It's that exciting time of year again—back to school! My kiddo kicked off the new school year last week, and I’m already gearing up for the next IEP Team meeting to ensure my child's needs are fully supported.

For those unfamiliar with IEP, it stands for Individualized Education Program. It’s a custom-made plan that helps students in special education achieve their best by setting personalized goals. The goal? To create an educational experience that truly fits each child's unique needs.

An IEP Team brings together parents, teachers, and school or district officials to collaborate on support strategies and services. These meetings are essential—they include discussions of assessments, eligibility determination, and progress review to keep everything on track.

So, how does this relate to the photo? The Illinois School Board’s Special Education Department put together an insightful 195-page guide called "Educational Rights and Responsibilities: Understanding Special Education in Illinois, The Parent Guide." I’m diving into the guide, taking notes, and gearing up because for parents like me, the best move is to become well-versed in my child’s rights.

07/17/2025

In this episode, we feature Allison Rhyner, a passionate kindergarten teacher at the Donald C. Parker Center. With ten years of experience and the prestigious Golden Apple Award, Allison is renowned for her dedication, advocacy, and resourcefulness. She has developed a tailored version of the district’s Learning Lab to assist students facing emotional and social challenges at the kindergarten level. Principal Erin Anderson commended her remarkable leadership in preparing students for their futures. Firmly believing that teamwork is key to successful teaching, Allison works closely with her colleagues to provide the best support for her students. She aims to challenge every child, and her adaptable and compassionate approach has transformed students’ resistance into enthusiasm for learning.

Operation Sawdust · Episode

05/26/2025

I stepped away for a few weeks and dove headfirst into a handful of episode topics, including this one, the anniversary of my son's diagnosis.

Ultimately, this journey began when my dad asked if the pediatrician thought my son might be autistic. Although the pediatrician initially reassured me everything was fine, I couldn’t shake my concerns. After moving and meeting new medical professionals, one pediatrician suggested an autism evaluation, which ultimately led to my son’s diagnosis. Since then, I’ve experienced a whirlwind of emotions and experiences while embracing his uniqueness. I’ve found strength in advocating for him and building connections in the autism community, which inspired me to create the “Operation Sawdust” podcast.

Join me, Becca, as I share my heartfelt journey over the past year since my son was diagnosed with autism. It all began when my dad raised the possibility of autism. While my son's pediatrician initially reassured me that everything was fine, I couldn't shake my concerns. After moving and connecting...

05/10/2025

I'm thrilled to embark on this journey as we explore Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA)! We'll explore what it means and share practical strategies for educators and caregivers to support those with PDAs. Let's enhance our understanding and equip ourselves with valuable advocacy tools!

Operation Sawdust · Episode

05/10/2025

I'm excited to host this episode, where I'll share my knowledge and experiences about autism with you! We'll dive into the intriguing topic of Pathological Demand Avoidance, or PDA, and I can't wait to provide valuable insights. So, join me on May 7, 2025, as we explore this fascinating subject and uncover key concepts that will help us all deepen our understanding!

Operation Sawdust · Episode

05/10/2025

In April, I read the book, Parenting an Autistic Child: A Guide to Understanding the ASD Diagnosis and Your Child's New Normal to Help Them Thrive by Isabella M. Fiori. I share my takeaways from the book along with things I relate to on a personal level as a parent to an autistic child.

Operation Sawdust · Episode

05/10/2025

Hi there, I'm Becca Sprague. I'm excited to welcome you to my podcast, Operation Sawdust. In this podcast, I will share my heartfelt journey as a mom of a child diagnosed with autism.

Operation Sawdust · Episode