My son Sam is six now and is headed to “Big Kid School” aka Kindergarten this fall! How is that even possible?! I remember when he was just starting at his preschool and somehow four years have flown by! As we are navigating this big transition for him now, I wanted to share some basics about IEP meetings with all of you. All three of our kiddos have an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) so this is something we are very well versed in now. While every kid has a different need, I wanted to just share about the overall process and what you can expect, especially if this is your first time doing one. With the right preparation, you can become a confident advocate for your child's needs, contributing to a plan that not only addresses challenges but also celebrates their strengths, so don’t be overwhelmed, I got you!
Let’s dive in!
Understanding the Basics:
Here’s the process for the IEP:
You will first request an evaluation and then the teachers/therapists will review any existing tests/data. They will give you a copy of your rights as a parent and then they will ask for consent. Then they perform the evaluation. After that you will have an IEP planning conference (here in Texas it is called an ARD meeting- Admission, Review and Dismissal- the purpose is to determine eligibility for special education services and during the meeting you develop the IEP for eligible students). Then ongoing assessments and data are obtained based on the proposed goals and measures during the meeting. Then at least yearly there is a meeting to assess data and make new recommendations based on how the last year week.
Here are a list of commonly used terms:
Setting Clear Goals:
SMART goals: The goals must be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound for the IEP- your educators can help you with this. This is important for your child's academic and personal development.
Align goals with needs: It’s really important to align goals with your child's unique needs, ensuring they address both academic and functional aspects. Sometimes this requires out of the box thinking depending on your child's specific set of needs, so don’t be afraid to ask for what they need or even talk to other parents. This is also good to ask your child's current therapy team for ideas to implement in the school setting. I also highly encourage asking other parents who have a child with a similar diagnosis for advice in this area too.
Effective Communication:
Active listening: It is so important to actively listen to the educators and therapists participating in the conversation. I know emotions can be high in an IEP meeting- we have been there for sure- but it is so important to listen and be open minded at one of these meetings.
Assertiveness: It is important to know you can disagree with the proposed plan, and you never have to sign anything that day but you want to be respectful. If you want to create a collaborative environment, it’s important to communicate in a proper way. You can ask why and you most certainly can say no too. It is important that if something doesn’t feel right you ask questions and speak up.
Knowing Your Rights:
Legal rights: This includes the right to request evaluations, participate in decision-making, and receive a copy of the IEP document BEFORE the meeting. Most first- time parents don’t know you can get a draft first so you can review it before the meeting. I want to encourage and empower you to be active participants in your child's educational planning.
Advocacy resources: You are allowed to bring an advocate with you to your meeting. I also think it is so important to speak to other parents who are in your school/district beforehand so you have an idea what to ask/request.
I always say “you don’t know what you don't know” - it’s OKAY to ask any and all questions!
Reviewing and Preparing Questions:
Documenting concerns: I encourage you to look over any previous IEPs, assessments, or reports and document concerns or observations. Make a list and go in prepared!
Preparing questions: Here’s a list of questions for you- covering areas like academic progress, social development, and potential challenges. I have another blog post that discusses the 10 questions you should ask at your next IEP meeting, click the image below to read that.
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I know the first IEP meeting can be a lot to take in and tackle, but you can do it! Sometimes they can be rather lengthy so make sure you eat first and bring some water with you. You can ask for a break if you are feeling overwhelmed and need a moment to speak with your advocate and/or spouse. You are your child's BEST advocate, you know them best, please remember that! I know with a little preparation you can feel more prepared to take on this milestone! Here are my three favorite books on IEPs. All three have been really helpful for us while navigating this special education journey!
Do you have any other tips or comments to add? I would love to hear from you!
If you found this helpful, I would love it if you shared it with your friends who are also navigating this journey!
Xo, Sara
IEP meeting tips, Parent preparation for IEP, Questions for IEP meeting, Support at IEP meetings, Classroom support in IEP, Special education communication, Individualized Education Program, Special needs parents, special needs mom, parenting with special needs
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