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IEP—Three letters that, at least once a year, cause special needs mothers’ hearts to race.

You’re probably thinking, “IEP?”

Before my son was diagnosed with autism, I had never even heard the acronym. As a kid my mother placed me in French language classes, and my parents watched me solve complex problems at Odyssey of the Mind events—My parents never had to worry about IEPs. My husband, a MENSA member, didn’t know what an IEP was either. But, when my son was diagnosed with autism we quickly found out what those three letters, IEP, stand for: Individualized Education Program.

An IEP is designed to provide special needs children with a quality education that accounts for the child’s special needs. Public schools are required, by federal law, to provide special needs children with an IEP. At least once a year, an IEP meeting is conducted to address the child’s educational needs, annual goals, and support services. The IEP meeting typically includes the child’s parents, teachers, and school representatives. As members of the IEP team, parents can invite others, including therapists and advocates. When the IEP is created, agreed upon, and signed, it becomes a legal document.
As the parent of a special needs child, YOU are your child’s best advocate! The following tips will help you have a successful IEP meeting:

• Be familiar with your rights: The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and your state’s board of education statutes and rules related to exceptional student education are good places to start.
• Be familiar with IEP resources: For your records and use, print out the IEP procedural safeguards and all IEP forms.
• Organize: Create a binder with all of your child’s medical evaluations, therapy evaluations, and progress notes.
• Voice your input: As a member of the IEP team you have the legal right to state your input regarding your child’s goals and support services.
• Ask questions, get answers: It’s easy to get overwhelmed and flustered during an IEP meeting. Bring notes, bring questions. Take notes, ask questions. Make sure your questions are answered before the meeting ends and before you sign the IEP document.

You do not have to sign the IEP document at the IEP meeting. After the IEP meeting, take a moment to relax, go out to dinner with your family, and sleep on it before you re-read and sign the IEP document with fresh eyes.

For more information and links regarding autism and the IEP process, visit Kristina’s blog, Live, Love,Laugh, and Autism http://livelovelaughandautism.blogspot.com/.

Home | Be Informed | IEP Season