The Epic IEP - by Karen Mayer Cunningham (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

A powerful, practical guide that empowers parents, educators, and advocates to navigate the IEP process with clarity, confidence, and compassion--so every child can thrive.

The Epic IEP is an essential, all-in-one guide for parents, educators, and advocates seeking to navigate the often overwhelming world of special education. Known globally as the Special Education Boss, Karen Mayer Cunningham has dedicated her life to championing the rights of children and families--and now she shares her expertise in this empowering and compassionate resource.

Karen opens the book with her own experience as a mother of a child with special needs, then weaves in the stories of other students and families to illuminate every step of the IEP journey. With warmth and clarity, she unpacks the process from start to finish--cutting through the jargon, explaining legal protections, and offering clear guidance on how to write meaningful goals, advocate for necessary supports, and build student-centered plans.

Inside this book, readers will learn how to:

- Understand evaluation results and special education terminology
- Write effective, measurable goals that support student success
- Identify and implement the right accommodations and modifications
- Navigate legal protections with confidence
- Use action checklists and key questions to stay informed and empowered

The Epic IEP is more than a manual--it's a mission. It equips parents to overcome fear and confusion, helps educators better meet the needs of all learners, and empowers advocates to challenge systemic barriers with clarity and purpose. For anyone who believes every child deserves the chance to learn and thrive, this book is your trusted companion and call to action.

Review Quotes

"The Epic IEP is an invaluable road map for parents, educators, and advocates navigating the often-overwhelming special education process. Karen Mayer Cunningham blends expertise, compassion, and clarity to empower readers with both practical tools and the confidence to secure the best possible outcomes for students. She has written the book so many families and professionals have been waiting for--one that takes a complicated process and makes it accessible, hopeful, and actionable. This playbook is not only a resource--it is a lifeline, reminding us that advocacy is powerful and ensuring that no parent or student is ever truly alone in this journey."

--Dr Karen Jaggers, Clinical Psychologist, Licensed Professional Counselor, and Certified Autism Specialist

"After thirty years of working in special education, I have never come across a more relatable, accessible, useful, and comprehensive presentation of the process that embodies a Free and Appropriate Public Education for our unique sons and daughters. This guidebook brings together a voluminous body of information, organizes it, and makes it easy to follow, even enjoyable to read. It delivers exactly as advertised. For anyone seeking to understand the proper process for developing and educating students with special needs, this is a one-stop resource. The author has managed to strike a balance between technical accuracy and readability for just about anyone. I am glad to have this book as a reference and training tool for the many teachers, staff and parents with whom I work."

--Luis A. Valdes, PhD, Administrator, River Oaks Academy

"Karen Mayer Cunningham reminds us that the best IEPs are not written--they are built

together. With insight, clarity, and compassion, Mrs. Cunningham, drawing on personal

experience and her wealth of knowledge, shows how genuine collaboration among

educators, families, and specialists transforms compliance into meaningful student

growth."

--Mitchell L Yell, Ph.D., Fred and Francis Lester Palmetto Chair of Teacher Education and

Professor of Special Education, University of South Carolina

About the Author

Karen Mayer Cunningham is a nationally recognized special education advocate, speaker, and mediator with over two decades of experience guiding families, educators, and professionals through the complexities of special education systems. Known as The Special Education Boss(R), she brings deep expertise in IDEA, Section 504, and disability advocacy, with a clear commitment to ensuring equitable access and meaningful outcomes for students with disabilities.

As the founder of a nationally respected advocacy platform, Karen is widely regarded for her ability to translate complex policies into practical steps that empower parents and improve student support. She has advised on state and local education policy, served on public advisory councils, and is recognized for her leadership in systemic reform.

Karen's work blends legal insight, conflict resolution, and real-world experience to help families and professionals advocate with confidence and clarity. Her signature style is direct, empowering, and rooted in the belief that everyone at the table deserves to be informed and prepared.

Her mission is simple: to protect the educational rights of students and support the adults who serve them.

Through her viral social media presence, with 1 million] followers and 10 million+ views, Karen translates complex education law into plain language and actionable steps. Her mission is clear: to empower parents and professionals to secure the services and support every student deserves.

Whether she's teaching at the IEP table or speaking on national stages, Karen is transforming systems, one child at a time.

"When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody."