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Preparing to Attend Your Child's IEP Meeting

8/8/2015

12 Comments

 
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Planning to attend an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) meeting sometimes causes many parents stress and anxiety.  I remember the days I dreaded IEP season.   I can remember some IEP meetings that were so challenging, we needed to plan another meeting to revisit unsettled topics. But, there were also many successful meetings that were over in less time than the scheduled hour.  Being prepared, confident, and well informed will help decrease feelings of anxiety, and the meeting may not be as dreadful as you might have expected it to be. 

If you’re getting ready to attend an IEP meeting:

·       When you’re deciding on meeting dates and times, if needed, be sure to explain that you         wish to take a little extra time to ask questions. Explain that you understand                           how busy attendees might be, but you would appreciate that the IEP meeting take place         when everyone is not pressed for time during the meeting.


·       If this isn’t your first IEP meeting, be sure to review the most recent one written.  Make           note of any goals that weren’t met.  It may mean new strategies are needed, or that the         goal wasn’t realistic. 


·       Make a list of questions prior to the meeting – especially if you have questions about               certain services being provided or strategies that are currently being used.

·       Write your own IEP before the scheduled Meeting. Click here for a sample template that I         use.  I update it every year. Mine is about eight pages long, as Richie uses four out of             the five domains.  Under each domain, I list the skills he’s mastered at home, I list the             struggles we've witnessed (and strategies we use), and finally, I list my concerns in                 the order of which I prefer they be addressed. I make copies for all meeting members             (I’m sure your team will be willing to make copies for you if you ask them).  The team is         always so grateful that I come prepared.

·       Please be on time and ready to get started. 

·       If you can, it’s always appreciated if you can bring a sweet treat (cookies from the dollar         general store will do).  Please note this is not an expectation. 

·       Typically, the LEA (Local Education Agency) Representative may lead the meeting with             introductions of all attendees and their roles.  If this doesn’t happen, it’s perfectly okay             for you to request the meeting begin with introductions.


·       Don’t be alarmed if the team has an IEP draft ready.  It saves time to have a draft                   prepared, and it will be edited during your scheduled meeting.

·       Please bring a pad and paper for note taking.  There is no way I would remember                   everything that was discussed, I take notes.

·       Please ask questions if you don’t understand something.  There is a lot of jargon, and no         one knows the meanings of all acronyms, terms, and phrases.  I have been known to               politely interrupt a discussion to ask what something means.  I’ve also written the word           or phrase of something I didn't understand and asked what it meant after the speaker             finished presenting his/her information.
 

·       If you disagree with something, please speak up and express your concerns. If it feels             like you’re not going to meet an agreement that day, and the team is insisting with their           strategy, service or change - it’s okay, don’t panic.  Explain that you would like to re-visit         this at another time (this also gives you time to further research the topic). 

·       Please don’t refuse to sign the IEP.  It does not mean you disagree with the contents of           the document. Signing the IEP only confirms attendance.  If you disagree with                         something, simply print in your own words next to your name that you disagree with a             particular statement or service, and would like to review this issue at a later date.                   Signing the IEP confirms your attendance, but now you have also officially documented           your concern.


·       At the end of the meeting, a copy of the finalized IEP is given to you. 

I have had many meaningful discussions with my son’s IEP team about what’s working and what isn’t.  We learn about the things that Richie is doing at school and at home, and we are always surprised at how often there are differences in his behaviors and methods for task completion. We have not always agreed, but so far, we have been able to come to fair conclusions in a respectful manner. 

Please let me know if this article helped you!  I welcome all comments and suggestions.

© 2015 Sensory Friends


Sincerely, Christine SensoryFriends

12 Comments
Laura Rodriguez link
8/7/2015 09:47:39 am

I like the list you made to be prepare for the IEP. I always sign the attendant list and then I take the IEP draft with me and review it at home make the notes with the thing that I consider it needs and then send it to school signed. I have 15 days to do it.

Reply
Christine Goulbourne link
8/7/2015 10:22:01 am

This is very true, Laura. Thank you for your comment and for visiting!

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Shann Eva link
8/7/2015 10:22:23 am

Great tips. I have not had an IEP meeting yet, but may in the future. Thanks for sharing.

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Christine Goulbourne link
8/7/2015 12:30:13 pm

Thank you for stopping by and visiting!

Reply
Diana Rodriguez link
8/7/2015 10:24:27 am

Great info, I will share via Twitter!!

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Christine Goulbourne link
8/7/2015 12:30:57 pm

Thank you for visiting and sharing!

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Brenda link
8/7/2015 10:40:36 am

Very, interesting, thanks for sharing.

Reply
Christine Goulbourne link
8/7/2015 12:32:11 pm

Thank you for visiting!

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adriana link
8/7/2015 03:33:38 pm

So many great recommendations here thanks for sharing

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Reina-Soy Mamá en Casa link
8/7/2015 05:13:09 pm

Muy buena lista, me parece excelente estar preparada para cualquier tipo de reunión escolar. Voy a guardar y compartir esta información con una amiga y para mí también. Gracias !

Reply
CourtneyLynne
8/8/2015 03:14:01 am

These are some really great tips!! We has my daughters first IEP meeting not to long ago... It wasn't that bad at all. All
That stress we all had over nothing lol

Reply
S.YISSELE link
8/9/2015 04:37:10 am

Thank you so much for the information, it's very important.

¡FELIZ DÍA!ॐ
http://mamaholistica.com

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