Kickstart Your Special Education Year: Must-Do Activities for IEP Success in Week One

As the school year kicks off, it’s time to do more than just sharpen pencils and pack those lunch boxes. The first week of school is your golden opportunity to set the tone for your a child’s IEP and ensure a smoother path ahead.

So, let’s dive into some must-do back to school activities that will help you and your child start the year strong.

I’m a crazy over planner. While everyone is just trying to get through to the end of a school year, I’m already planning for the first week of school activities in special education for next year. I know, it’s a bit over the top.

But here’s the thing. By the time a parent calls me for advocacy help, the situation is usually pretty dire. They spend months and even years thinking it will get better. Then, they spend weeks or months finding and finally calling an advocate.

And over 99% of the time, I see that the situation was entirely preventable. Mind you, I’m not shaming anyone or wagging my finger with “you should have done this!” But, I hate seeing kids in distress, and most of these situations are preventable.

A child’s IEP struggles don’t begin and end with one incident. It’s a series of system failures. Each of which, by itself, is not really a big deal. But when compounded, they lead to things like school refusal.

I’ve kinda made it my mission to preemptively reach as many parents as possible, with prevention in mind.

In that spirit, this post was created. These are things you can do today, at home and at school, to ensure a more positive experience for the IEP student. I’ll do a separate list for teachers and parents.

Special Education First Week of School- Parents

1. Chill out for a week or two on the IEP related services. No, really. Schools do not begin providing PT, OT and speech on Day 1 of a new year. It’s an unrealistic expectation. Providers and teachers are still working together on schedules, pull outs and all that. 30 or 60 minutes of a provided service is not going to make or break your child’s progress. If you don’t hear anything after 2 weeks, then send an email.
2. Do a Snapshot IEP or All About Me sheet. I have provided templates on this site (links below). It’s the most important, high level stuff that a teacher needs to know on day 1. Yes, they are responsible for implementing the entire IEP. That will not happen on Day 1, so extend a bit of grace and be collaborative.
3. Ask for a Meet and Greet. If your school doesn’t offer this as a group, email the new teacher(s) and ask if you can swing by for a quick meet and greet to alleviate your child’s fears and anxieties.
4. Clarify Transportation. Many districts send out letters or postcards with transportation specifics. If you don’t have this a week or so before school starts, call or email so that you’re sure of what is going to happen.
5. Reassure your child. It doesn’t have to be a sit down formal conversation. But at breakfast, dinner or in the car, just ask. Ask open ended questions about school and how they are feeling about it.
6. Eat and Sleep. You know your child best. Many kids don’t do well with a whole week of down time. But I would avoid camps and overscheduling your family the week before school starts. Down time to rest and regroup is essential for everyone, but especially kids who have to exert more brain power just to get through a day. I would say the same for September too. Allow evenings and weekends to be down time to rest.
7. Connect with the Team (Yes, Again!): You might think, “We just had an IEP meeting a few months ago; why do I need to reach out now?” But trust me, early and clear communication with your child’s teachers, therapists, and support staff is crucial. Send a quick email to reintroduce yourself, share any new updates about your child, and remind them of your child’s key needs and accommodations. Let them know you’re there to collaborate, not just at meetings, but all year long.
8. Update the ‘IEP at a Glance’ Sheet: Make sure you have a simple, one-page summary of your child’s IEP goals, accommodations, and any behavior plans ready to go. This is your go-to document for anyone who interacts with your child, from bus drivers to lunch aides. Remember, everyone on the team should know what to expect and how to support your child from day one. If your child has a complex profile, consider laminating this sheet (seriously!) so it doesn’t end up in a crumpled mess by Friday.
9. Establish a Home-School Communication Log: No more playing telephone tag or losing important papers at the bottom of the backpack. Create a simple communication log or notebook that goes back and forth between home and school. This log will be your lifeline to daily updates, behavior reports, and notes on what’s working or what needs tweaking. Plus, it helps create a paper trail, which can be invaluable if (or when!) any issues arise.
10. Review the IEP Goals with Your Child: This one is often overlooked, but it’s so important: talk to your child about their IEP goals in a way they can understand. Even young children benefit from knowing what they are working toward. Let them set their own goals and get excited about the progress they will make this year. After all, an IEP is meant to empower your child, so make sure they are in on the plan!
11. Start a ‘Victory Board’ at Home: Let’s be real: progress can sometimes feel painfully slow, but it’s there. Celebrate every win, no matter how small, by creating a “Victory Board” at home. Use it to mark achievements, new skills, or even a day without a meltdown. Not only does this help keep everyone motivated, but it’s a concrete reminder that the hard work is paying off!

Special Education First Week of School- Teachers

Teachers, I get it. The first week of school is hectic. Kids are still being added and deleted from classes, the schedule changes, and there are hiccups. But what you do that first week will set the tone for the entire year.

1. Deep breaths and acceptance for whatever an IEP parent brings you. A parent is not trying to tell you how to do your job. They are trying to help their child. They are trying to work through their own fears and anxieties and avoid reliving past disasters. They may bring you a one-sheet about your child or a snapshot IEP. Take it, thank them, and read it. That’s all we’re asking.
2. You cannot over communicate to an IEP parent. You really can’t. Do you know how many headaches could be avoided, if you all would just send out something about related services? A simple 2-3 sentence email of when you expect to receive the schedule for related services and when they can expect to hear–that would create volumes of goodwill. When parents are left in the dark, the mind demons take over and they assume the worst. This isn’t because of anything you’ve done, but probably some of your predecessors. Even if you don’t know the answer, that’s ok. An email of “I don’t have the finalized schedule of pull out services yet but was told I should expect it by September 15” is fine, and all that IEP parents really need.
3. Let kids be themselves and have fun. The first several days should be all about getting to know each other, the building, the classroom expectations and the daily activities. Keep it low key and relaxed to alleviate anxious kids. Over the years, what I’ve learned is this-the best thing a teacher can do for a child is to make them feel safe and supported. Our kids already feel different and marginalized much of the time, be the change.
4. Assess, assess, assess. I don’t mean tests. I mean some skills. Can the child find the bathroom? Can they open their locker? Many kids who struggle with things will not say as much, and certainly not the first week of school. Keep notes of who is struggling with some day to day tasks and consider assigning them a buddy or helper. Or heck, assign everyone a buddy the first month so no one stands out.
5. Let it go. I was a teacher. I know what’s up. I’ve had those conversations about students. Hear it, but don’t dwell on it. Allow a child a fresh start. Set them up for success. If it didn’t work out in another teacher’s classroom, think about what you know about that teacher and try different strategies. Maybe it just wasn’t a good fit.
6. Give yourself grace. Teaching is hard. It is stressful and time consuming and all those things. You are doing a great job, you are making a difference in the life of a child. There are lots of armchair critics of public education. Very few of them have been a teacher. Remember that.
7. Create a Welcoming Environment: Before your students even step into the classroom, take some time to set up a space that feels welcoming and inclusive. This might mean creating a cozy corner for students who need a sensory break or displaying visual aids that help with routines. A classroom environment that acknowledges and respects each child’s unique needs sets the tone for the year.
8. Review the IEPs Thoroughly: Take a deep dive into each student’s IEP before the school year begins (yes, even if you’re still scrambling to decorate your bulletin boards). Focus on understanding the goals, accommodations, and modifications specific to each child. This isn’t just about compliance; it’s about building a solid foundation for the student’s success. Keep key information in a quick-reference format, like an “IEP at a Glance” sheet, to stay on top of each child’s needs throughout the day.
9. Establish Open Lines of Communication with Families: Reach out to the parents or guardians within the first week—don’t wait for the first scheduled IEP meeting! Introduce yourself, express your excitement to work with their child, and ask for any additional insights they can provide that might not be in the IEP. A quick phone call or email goes a long way in building trust and opening a channel for ongoing communication.
10. Set Up Clear Routines and Expectations: Many students with IEPs thrive on routine. Spend the first week establishing classroom routines, daily schedules, and clear expectations. Use visual schedules, checklists, and consistent language to help students understand what’s expected. Reinforce these routines consistently to help reduce anxiety and promote a sense of security in the classroom.
11. Incorporate Multi-Sensory Learning: Remember that students learn in different ways. Incorporate multi-sensory approaches to teaching that include visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and tactile elements. This can help engage students with diverse learning styles and needs. Whether it’s hands-on activities, movement breaks, or using technology, diversifying your teaching strategies can make a big difference in student engagement and understanding.
12. Start Building Relationships Early: The first week is crucial for relationship building. Spend time getting to know each student as an individual—what they like, what they’re good at, what makes them feel safe and supported. Use games, icebreakers, or even simple one-on-one conversations to build rapport and trust. A strong teacher-student relationship can be the foundation for a successful year, especially for students with IEPs.
13. Plan for IEP Data Collection from Day One: Data is key to understanding student progress and needs. Make a plan for how you will track progress on IEP goals from the very beginning. Use simple tools like checklists, observation logs, or digital tools that make data collection seamless. Consistent data collection will help you adjust instruction as needed and provide concrete information to share with families.
14. 8. Foster Peer Connections
15. Encourage and facilitate positive peer relationships from day one. Consider creating a buddy system or peer support groups to help all students feel included. Activities that promote empathy, teamwork, and understanding can help break down social barriers and create a supportive classroom community.
16. By incorporating these strategies, teachers can create an inclusive and supportive environment that meets the needs of all students, setting the stage for a successful school year!

Have a great school year everyone!

Now, here are those freebies and printables I promised you.