Your first IEP meeting

Tips for surviving your first IEP meeting

You may be receiving early intervention services, or maybe you just learned your child hasn’t reached a particular milestone yet. In any case, developing an appropriate IEP (Individualized Education Plan) for your child can seem complicated. Here are some tips to help you prepare and make the process flow smoother.

1. The IEP meeting date should be convenient for you, the parent(s). You are a major player in this game so the meeting date/time should take your schedule into account. Remember, if your child has multiple therapists/teachers finding a convenient time for all of them to meet can be tricky so if your schedule is tight then try to get it on the books as soon as you can.

2. Talk to your child’s therapist(s) or teacher ahead of time to discuss what they feel your child’s goals should be and determine whether you feel these are appropriate for your child. If not, discuss it with the therapist and/or teacher and see if you can develop goals together. This way, you are going into the IEP meeting knowing exactly which goals are to be discussed and the meeting time can be better utilized to determine the best strategies to allow your child to achieve these goals.

3. Ask for the actual IEP document 3-5 days before the actual meeting so you can read it, become familiar with it, and make notes about any questions. I have been in many IEP meetings during which there is so much time spent reading each section word for word and then very little time is left to address our concerns, decisions about placement or amount of services. In most cases, the team will not have all day dedicated for the IEP meeting so you want to do your homework and utilize your time with the entire team wisely.

4. Bring a friend! You have the right to bring someone with you to an IEP meeting. This person could be a special education advocate (paid or unpaid), a former therapist, or just a friend or relative to help support you during this process. If you feel you will be a better advocate for your child with support, then go for it. You should inform the IEP team ahead of time to avoid any issues.

5. Be pleasant, assertive, but reasonable. If you explain why you feel your child needs a service, your concerns will be better received by the team and you will be one step closer to getting your child what he/she needs. You will also create a good relationship with your team and school district for future should your child need ongoing services.

6. Feel free to ask for another meeting if everything is not addressed during one meeting and if possible, try to lock in a date before you leave. You should feel comfortable with the document and your child’s program before you ever sign your child’s IEP.

7. Beware of delaying evaluations or waiting until the following school year to address an issue. Once the school year starts, it takes some time for the teachers to settle in with their new classes and scheduling meetings can take a while.

8. If/when changes are being made to the draft IEP after your IEP meeting, ask for a timeline on when you can see a revised copy so expectations are realistic and things can keep moving along.

9. Be confident! You are the expert on your child so trust yourself!