After my child was diagnosed with a spectrum disorder and was getting ready to start an Early Education program, that was the first time that I had heard of an Individualized Education Plan, most commonly known as an IEP.
The process for the observation, creation, and approval of your child’s IEP can be very overwhelming. This process can lead you to forget to ask important questions or ensure specific stipulations are included in your child’s IEP, but you are not alone!
Many parents face these same issues as they go through their child’s education. Here are 10 tips on navigating your child’s IEP and adopting one that best fits your child’s needs.
Know Who Will Be At Your Child’s IEP Meeting
When it is time to review your child’s IEP before they start school, you may be overwhelmed by the amount of people in the room. There will likely be your child’s (soon-to-be) teacher, at least one school therapist like a speech therapist, a school or district psychologist, and possibly an administrator. Combined with you, your partner, and your child, that’s a full room!
It is within your right as the parent to ask WHO will be present in the meeting, WHO is required to be there, and why, as well as request an advocate for YOURSELF to be present. Two sets of ears are better than one, and at your child’s IEP meeting, you will want to ensure you feel supported and heard.
Prepare and Ask Questions
There will be a lot of words and phrases that may be unfamiliar to you and confusing. You may ask as many questions as you want during the meeting. Remember, you are your child’s advocate, so no number of questions is too many!
It is also a good idea to come with questions of your own to the meeting. These questions can range from: How often will the child be re-assessed? Who will be working with my child inside and outside the classroom? Do I have to request to see progress reports on my child, or will I be updated throughout the school year?
Clarify What Your Child’s IEP Goals Are For The Period
Your child will be assigned goals with their IEP each time you meet with their team. It’s always a good idea to clarify those goals and the process for your child to work towards meeting their IEP goals! Since there can be a lot of educational jargon and extra questions thrown into the meeting, the goals that your child is supposed to reach can get lost in the shuffle.
Along with clarifying your child’s IEP goals, it’s also a good idea to ask if they have met their previous goals! Remember: it’s OKAY if your child did not meet their specified IEP goals. That provides a great opportunity for you to ask your child’s team how they support your child and what their goals should be revised to.
Have No Fear, You Can Do This!
The IEP process can feel very isolating, especially when you do not have any outside support to bounce questions or ideas off of. According to the National Association for the Education of Young Children, conducting research and asking questions during your child’s IEP meeting can help keep your fear of uncertainty at bay.
It is also within your right to have an advocate for you and your child present at the IEP meeting. This can be someone you hire, like an expert or a therapist you have already been working with before your child started school. One way to let the IEP experience overwhelm you is to let your fear of the unknown win, but through your research and education, that fear can take a back seat during this critical time!
Provide the Necessary Medical Forms and Materials
Before your child’s IEP meeting, the school will request medical records and forms that outline your child’s medical history. You must obtain these forms and turn them in to the appropriate person on time! The sooner your child’s team receives the medical records and forms that indicate what area your child might be facing delays in, the sooner they can develop a well-rounded IEP.
It’s important to remember that even if your child has received a developmental delay diagnosis, like autism spectrum disorder, that does not mean that they have a “problem”. It just means they need an individualized plan to help them reach specific goals and milestones, which is what an IEP is for! Being the parent of a neurodivergent child can be challenging, but advocating for the best care for your child is exactly what you will be doing by your child having an IEP.
Build in Some Self-Care
Taking time before and after your child’s IEP meeting for yourself is essential when advocating for anyone, let alone your child. Sometimes, taking time for yourself and doing some self-care can seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be.
Maybe your type of self-care is getting a massage or going to the gym, or perhaps it’s just sitting and drinking your coffee in the morning before your child wakes up. Whatever your preferred self-care method, this is the perfect time to try it out!
Decide if You Want to Include A Special Education Advocate
As mentioned above, it is within your right as the parent to have an advocate present at the IEP meeting on behalf of your child and your family. That person is known as a Special Education Advocate, and their job is to ensure that all questions are being answered and that the workings of your child’s IEP are the best fit moving forward.
While there is training for this position, there is no “formal” certification for a Special Education Advocate, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t many qualified people to choose from. Through your research, you will find that many have certifications in various areas, including counseling and therapy, and maybe even experience working in the school system. The most important thing when choosing a Special Education Advocate is finding someone who fits within your family’s dynamic and is on the same page as far as the growth and development of your child.
Find A Parent Support Group
As you may have already found after your child’s diagnosis of a spectrum disorder or developmental delay, there are great communities that families can join for support, whether that’s in person or online. The same goes for families that have IEPs for their children! There is something to be said for having an outlet to go to when you are frustrated, confused, or maybe even a bit scared.
You can ask your child’s school if there is a parent support group for children with IEP’s or search for a group within your community. Websites like Facebook often have community groups for parents where you can ask questions and read about other experiences, and some may even share playgroups! As always, it is advised to take in everything as advice and know it may not work for your situation or your child, but that doesn’t mean that someone else’s advice or experience can’t be beneficial to you in some way.
Stay Positive Around Your Child
Your child receiving an IEP will change their school day for the better, but it will provide a change in routine. Talking with your child about what their school day will look like with their IEP in place can help them understand why they may see different school staff on some days and not on others.
If your child is present during their IEP meeting, don’t dampen your emotions, but it’s always good to try and keep a positive attitude. Your child’s IEP team may suggest that your child not be present during their meeting, which is typical, but not every family can secure child care. Either way, an IEP is not a “bad” step in your child’s education; it just means they need extra support their school can provide!
Work As A Team
You, your family and your child’s IEP team all want what’s best for your child, so working as a team is essential. Teamwork means listening to each other’s ideas and points of view while adding your suggestions and questions. If you aren’t happy with how someone on the team is performing, you are within your right to make your concerns heard.
Everyone wants what is best for their child in school and life, and that’s precisely what an IEP is for! You can also find other tips at parents.com for navigating an IEP meeting.
