SPED Specialist
Stephanie BERMED
Why Stephanie Created IEPFOCUS.COM
As a special education teacher, Stephanie saw the same pattern again and again: dedicated teachers and parents searching late at night for clear, practical answers about IEPs, behavior and neurodivergent learners, and finding either dense legal text or advice built on compliance. IEPFOCUS.COM was created to close that gap.
Her goal is simple: give every adult who supports a neurodivergent child or teen the tools to understand what the student needs, write better plans and respond to behavior with curiosity instead of punishment. In her own classroom, Stephanie also teaches middle school life and earth sciences with explicit instruction, so every strategy she shares is tested against the reality of a busy school day.
Areas of Expertise
Stephanie specializes in neuroaffirmative, regulation-first, strengths-based approaches to special education. Her work covers the full range of SPED practice, from IEP planning to daily classroom strategy.
The BERMED Framework
Many IEPFOCUS guides end with a BERMED box: a six step, action focused checklist that turns research into something a teacher or parent can use the same week. The letters change with each topic, but the logic stays the same.
Popular Guides by Stephanie
Resources and Community
Stephanie has developed more than 1,000 classroom-ready resources available in the IEPfocus Shop under the brand Prof BERMED. Her IEP guides, strategy tools, templates, and social stories are used by special education teachers and families across the United States and beyond.
She founded and administers the IEPPLANNERS Facebook community, a public group of 515,000+ special education teachers, parents, and advocates who share daily strategies, IEP tips, and neuroaffirmative resources.
Editorial Approach
All content published on IEPFOCUS.COM is neuroaffirmative, identity-first, and grounded in current peer-reviewed research. Stephanie does not endorse ABA-based or compliance-focused approaches. Every article and resource prioritizes the student’s regulation, strengths, and long-term wellbeing over surface-level behavioral compliance.
How Every Guide Is Created
- Research first. Facts are checked against primary and recognized sources such as the CDC, NIMH, the US Department of Education, IDEA regulations and peer reviewed studies, linked at the end of each article.
- Classroom tested. Strategies are chosen for what is realistic for teachers and families in a real school day.
- Neuroaffirming language. Students are described by their needs and strengths, never as problems to fix.
- Kept up to date. Articles show their last update and are revised when guidance or research changes.
- Educational, not clinical. Content supports, but never replaces, professional evaluation, medical or legal advice.
Connect with Stephanie
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Stephanie BERMED?
Stephanie BERMED is a special education teacher and neurodiversity specialist, founder of IEPFOCUS.COM and administrator of the IEPPLANNERS community. She creates IEP guides and classroom tools for students with ADHD, autism, AuDHD, PDA and learning disabilities.
What is IEPFOCUS.COM?
IEPFOCUS.COM is a free special education resource hub with articles for teachers (Classroom), parents (At Home), neurodivergent teens and adults, and clear guides to conditions such as ADHD, autism and learning disabilities.
What does BERMED mean in the articles?
BERMED is the name of Stephanie’s six step action framework. Each guide adapts it to the topic so readers leave with concrete next steps.
Are the articles on IEPFOCUS.COM free?
Yes. All articles are free to read. Printable classroom resources are available separately in the IEPfocus Shop.
How can I contact Stephanie?
You can write to co*****@******us.com or join the IEPPLANNERS community on Facebook.