How To Do It Right
IEP meetings can be nerve-wracking, whether you’re a veteran or it’s your first one. We can offer a few guidelines that will help make the experience run a lot smoother. And even better, the more successful the IEP meeting, hopefully, the better your child will do during the school year.
Grab A Fresh Copy
If this is your first time, then this tip won’t matter as much, but it will be good to know for the next IEP meeting: get a fresh copy of the IEP as early as possible before the meeting. Take a look at it and take note of a few things: Were the set goals reasonable? Did the report properly identify the correct help and support so your child could meet those goals? Was your child able to meet those goals? Those are a few good places to start. Take notes of other concerns and bring them to the meeting.
Group Hug
The IEP meeting is not about you and your child versus the rest of the IEP team. The only way the IEP can be effective is with a solid collaboration between all of you. That can also include your child. Maybe he has some input on what goals he’d like to have set up. Make sure he’s given a chance to communicate what’s on his mind.
Say It Louder
The professionals in the IEP team will not always have the best approach or appropriate goals. You don’t need to be combative, but you do need to show them what’s best for your child. After all, you are the number one authority when it comes to your child…no one knows him better than you do. Don’t be afraid to make your voice heard, and more than that, for your input and concerns to impact the goals that are being set and the assistance your child will be given to achieve them.
More Resources
There are many sites online that offer information on the IEP, but some of them aren’t accurate. Every site that I used in this blog is a reputable place to find good information. Finally, don’t be afraid to bring backup to the meeting. You can invite anyone to accompany you, as long as you let the school know beforehand. Of course it’s probably better to bring someone who cares about your child and has a professional background, such as an advocate or your child’s speech therapist. At the very least, bring someone who loves you and your child…friends or family will do.