If you have a child that requires special education services, one of the first steps you have to take with the school is to schedule an IEP meeting. IEP stands for "Individualized Education Plan." It's a plan that you, the educator's at your school, and your child's behavioral or medical team develop to meet the unique educational needs of your child. Although this plan should evolve with the changing needs of your child, it's important that you advocate for the best initial plan as possible. The following guide can help you prepare for this meeting.
List of challenges
Depending on the age and abilities of your child, this may be a list that you both work on together prior to the meeting or it may be something that you develop on your own. This list should detail every challenge, both physical and developmental, that may affect your child's ability to succeed in school. Begin by listing out the physical accommodations your child may need. For example, if your child has difficulty writing, you may need a laptop in the classroom. Or, if hearing is an issue, a specific seat or a desk near the teacher may be necessary. Follow up with a list of developmental or behavioral accommodations, such as a quiet space to escape from anxiety-inducing activities. Once your list is made, rank them in order of importance so you can focus on securing the most important accommodations first.
Outside evaluations and documentations
Next, include a copy of any medical records, psychological evaluations, or other documentation of your child's special needs. Do not bring the original documents—keep these for your records. Only give copies of these important papers to school officials. This documentation can be vital for securing some special accommodations, particularly those that directly affect classroom operations or require different protocols for typically regulated tasks, like testing. If your goal is to get your child into a specific special education program or classroom, you may only be able to do so if you have the proper documentation and diagnosis from a medical or psychological professional.
A witness and advocate
Although you should insist on having all agreements signed and getting a copy of everything for yourself, it's still important to have some form of witness in the event there are problems with the school administration later. In some states, you are allowed to record audio of the meeting as long as you inform everyone in attendance. A smartphone app works well for this. Another option is to bring a friend or family member along to act as both a witness as well as to advocate on your behalf if needed. If you anticipate problems, the best option is to contact a special education law service and have a lawyer on hand to help you navigate the meeting.
For more help with advocating for your child and making sure they get the quality of education that is their right, contact a special education attorney service.
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