Celebrating Our Founder: Dr. Lee Ann Annotti Featured in Voyage Jacksonville
2–3 minutes 516 words We’re thrilled to share some exciting news with our Milestones family! Our founder, Dr. Lee Ann Annotti, was recently featured in Voyage Jacksonville’s “Conversations” series, highlighting Jacksonville’s...
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How to Prepare for Your Child's IEP Meeting in 30 Days (Step-by-Step Parent Guide)
3–5 minutes 766 words Your child's IEP meeting is coming up, and you want to feel ready to advocate with confidence. The good news: a clear 30-day plan makes a...
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ADHD, Anxiety, or Something Else? The Parent's Guide to Understanding Your Child's Evaluation Results
4–6 minutes 867 words You've received your child's evaluation results, and now you're staring at pages filled with terms like "inattention," "restlessness," and "emotional regulation challenges." Maybe the report mentions...
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Screening vs. Evaluation: 5 Questions Every Parent Should Ask Before Booking an Appointment
4–6 minutes 907 words You've noticed something. Maybe your child's teacher mentioned concerns about attention in class. Perhaps your kindergartener is struggling with letter recognition while their peers seem to...
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7 Practical Shifts to Level Up Your IEP Meetings (with Real-Life Examples + Clear Solutions)
3–4 minutes 613 words IEP meetings can feel overwhelming, but they're your child's gateway to educational success. When you walk into that conference room, you're not just attending a meeting:...
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Waiting Months for a School Evaluation? Here's What a Private Neuropsych Eval Can Do for Your Family Right Now
3–5 minutes 805 words You've submitted the paperwork. You've had the initial meeting. And now you're waiting. The school district says it could be three months: maybe six: before your...
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5 Steps to Prepare for Your Child's IEP Meeting and Gain School Support (Easy Guide for Parents)
5–8 minutes 1,235 words As a parent, preparing for your child's IEP meeting can feel overwhelming. You want to advocate effectively for your child while building positive relationships with their...
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Embracing the Journey: How Working Together Empowers Your Child’s Success
6–8 minutes 1,307 words Every parent knows the feeling: that moment when you realize your child's journey is uniquely theirs, yet you're walking alongside them every step of the way....
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IEP vs. 504 Plan in Florida: Which One Does Your Child Need?
3–4 minutes 690 words The “Alphabet Soup” of Special Education You’ve just taken a huge step. You’ve had your child evaluated, and you finally have a diagnosis—whether it’s ADHD, Autism,...
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Your Child’s Transition to Adulthood: 10 Things You Should Know Before Services Change
3–5 minutes 756 words Watching your child approach adulthood brings a mix of pride and natural concern, especially when they've been receiving specialized services. This transition represents an incredible milestone...
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Personalized Assessment, Better Results: A Hopeful Path for Your Child
3–4 minutes 654 words Picture this: your child works hard at school, yet the standard plan treats them like every other student. Sound familiar? It’s frustrating when a generic approach...
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5 Subtle Signs of Autism in Toddlers
3–5 minutes 769 words Trust Your Gut, Not Just the Checklist You’ve raised the concern at the 18-month checkup. “He doesn’t point at things,” or “She doesn’t look at me when I smile.”...
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A Mindful Approach to Stress and Coping
3–4 minutes 650 words Mindfulness is paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgmentally – that’s free from distraction or judgment, and aware of our thoughts and feelings without...
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Beyond “Because I Said So”: How to Shape Behavior with Praise and Purpose
3–5 minutes 821 words If there is one universal parenting struggle, it is the feeling of talking to a brick wall. You ask your child to put on their shoes....
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Parenting is Hard Work: A Mindful Approach to Finding Calm in the Chaos
3–5 minutes 819 words Let’s be honest: parenting is one of the most rewarding jobs in the world, but it is also one of the toughest. Whether you are navigating...
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What Are the Signs of Autism in Early Childhood?
3–4 minutes 669 words Every day is a learning experience for your little one and for you as the parent. You watch them develop and experience the world around them...
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Is Social Media Making Your Child's ADHD Worse? 5 Signs Parents Need to Know
3–4 minutes 687 words If you're watching your child scroll through TikTok for the third hour today while their homework sits untouched, you might be wondering: is social media making...
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Why the Best Autism Care Combines Psychologists, Therapists, and Educational Advocates (and How to Find It)
3–5 minutes 796 words When you're navigating autism support for your child, you want more than just good care: you want comprehensive care that addresses every aspect of their development....
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When to Seek a Psychological Evaluation?
2–4 minutes 565 words All children will have times of happiness, sadness, anger and every other emotion. Periods of bad days, meltdowns and outbursts are expected and normal, especially in...
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The Complete Parenting Playbook: Pulling It All Together
3–4 minutes 626 words If you have been following along with our Mindful Parenting journey, you might feel like you have a toolbox full of new gadgets but aren’t quite...
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Is Your Child's 504 Plan Still Working Now? 7 Post‑Pandemic Updates Parents Can Use
2–3 minutes 541 words You worked hard to put that 504 plan in place. Since 2020, school life has changed, and many families are updating plans to match real‑world needs...
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7 IEP Meeting Mistakes Parents Make (And How to Advocate Like a Pro)
3–4 minutes 617 words Walking into an IEP meeting can feel overwhelming: but here's the truth: you already know your child better than anyone else in that room. With a...
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7 Ways to Make Your Next IEP Meeting More Successful (Parent-Friendly Tips That Actually Work)
3–4 minutes 675 words IEP meetings can feel big, but with the right prep they become powerful moments to advocate for your child. At Milestones, our advocates sit in IEPs...
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Post-Pandemic Behavioral Changes in Children: The Ultimate Parent's Guide to What's Normal vs. When to Seek Help
5–7 minutes 1,154 words If you're wondering whether your child's behavior since the pandemic is "normal," you're not alone. Parents across the country are navigating uncharted territory, watching their children...
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Your Child’s School Screening Came Back “Concerning”, Now What? 5 Steps Parents Should Take
4–7 minutes 1,037 words You opened the email or picked up the phone, and your heart sank just a little. Your child's school screening came back with "concerning" results. Maybe...
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How to Prepare for an IEP Meeting: A Parent’s Step-by-Step Guide
5–8 minutes 1,191 words To prepare effectively for an IEP meeting, parents should familiarize themselves with their rights under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and gather relevant documentation,...
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ADHD Vs. Anxiety: Which Is Driving Your Child’s Challenges (And How Testing Tells the Difference)?
3–4 minutes 696 words As a parent, you want to see your child thrive, but sometimes it’s hard to know exactly what’s standing in their way. You might notice...
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What Parents Must Know About Accommodations vs. Modifications in an IEP
4–6 minutes 880 words One of the most confusing parts of the IEP (Individualized Education Program) process is understanding the vocabulary used by the school district. During a meeting,...
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The Parent’s Guide to Supporting Gifted Kids with Learning Differences at School
5–8 minutes 1,186 words When your child shows exceptional abilities in some areas while facing unexpected challenges in others, you're witnessing the beautiful complexity of a twice-exceptional learner. These remarkable...
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Beyond One-on-One: Why Group Therapy Might Be the Missing Piece for Your Child
3–5 minutes 783 words When you’re looking for the best support for your child, individual therapy is often the first thing that comes to mind. It’s a wonderful way for...
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What Is Educational Advocacy — and Why It Matters
3–4 minutes 598 words When your child struggles in school—academically, behaviorally, socially, or emotionally—it can feel overwhelming. You’re handed documents filled with acronyms, attend meetings full of professionals speaking unfamiliar...
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Strength in Numbers: How Group Therapy Helps Children Overcome Social Anxiety
3–5 minutes 769 words As parents, we want to see our children flourish, make friends, and navigate the world with a sense of ease. But for many children, the social...
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Join Us at the 4th Annual Special Needs Resources Expo in St. Augustine!
2–3 minutes 392 words Navigating the world of special education, therapies, and care for a child with unique needs can sometimes feel like an overwhelming journey. But you don’t have...
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The Power of Peers: 5 Benefits of Group Therapy for Kids with ADHD and ASD
3–4 minutes 702 words Navigating the world with ADHD or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can sometimes feel like your child is trying to solve a puzzle where the pieces don’t...
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10 Reasons Your Home Behavior Plan Isn’t Working (And How to Fix It)
3–5 minutes 787 words If you’ve ever spent hours crafting a sticker chart, researching "positive parenting" rewards, or setting up a new household routine only to have it fizzle out...
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Do You Really Need Private Gifted Testing? Here’s the Truth
3–4 minutes 600 words If you’ve ever watched your child solve a complex puzzle in seconds, or heard them ask a deep philosophical question over cereal, you’ve probably wondered: “How does...
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The Grounded Parent: How to Manage Stress and Stay Calm
1–2 minutes 236 words Parenting is incredibly rewarding, but it is also exceptionally demanding. It is completely normal to feel overwhelmed, but learning how to manage parenting stress is key...
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