Tips For Planning An IEP For Your Child
The IEP, or independent Education Plan, is vital to ensure the success of your special needs child. This plan provides educators with a framework to ensure that they are providing your child with the optimum education while also giving you a guideline to measure the quality of instruction against. The plan covers educational goals as well necessary support and services needed by the child. If this is your first IEP meeting, the following tips can help you make the most of it.
Tip #1: Bring backup
These meetings often involve several school administrators. At the bare minimum there will be the teacher and principal, but the counselor, special education teacher, and other instructors may also be present. It is easy to feel overwhelmed if you go alone. Instead, bring your own support person. This can be your spouse, a relative, or a close friend that is on your side. Make sure that you are both on the same page with your goals for the meeting, so they can help you guide the meeting towards the desired outcome.
Tip #2: Keep records
You need to take notes during the meeting of everything that is discussed. Read your notes back frequently to verify that is what is being discussed and decided. Then, make sure you get a full copy of the IEP and any other paperwork from the school before leaving the meeting. It's also a good idea to bring in copies of all of your past records, including items from medical professionals defining your child's needs as well as records from past IEP meetings. This way you have the necessary paperwork on hand to advocate for your child when necessary as the plan is drafted.
Tip #3: Speak up
Have a clear goal or outcome of the IEP in mind when you attend the meeting, and speak up if the educators' plans seem to stray from your goal for the child. For example, if you want to ensure your child is accepted into a special education program at the school, then do not give in when they try to draft a plan to integrate your child into the standard classroom. On the other hand, if full integration is your goal, then guide the planning toward this goal.
If the IEP meeting doesn't go as planned or if the school is not following the plan as outlined in the official documentation, do not hesitate to contact a special education lawyer. It is vital that you have an advocate on the side of your child and family.