Was your child recently diagnosed with a disability? Or, they were struggling in school and you were told they need an IEP?
Deep breaths. It’s a lot to take in and a lot to learn. But you’ve come to the right place. And, we’ve all been there. You might read this blog or join our Forums and be overwhelmed. Again, deep breaths.
You’re outside of your comfort zone, so that’s to be expected. You’ll learn it.
You can also search for what you need.
Want Better IEP Meetings?
How to Prepare for an IEP Meeting | Checklist | Be a Better Advocate
IEP Meetings This is a really old post that I have been meaning to update for ages. I see the
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Understanding IEP Eligibility | A Guide for Parents | Flowchart
IEP Eligibility Your child has an IEP. Or they do not. Perhaps they were found ineligible. Maybe you were offered
Don’t IEP Alone
Your Child’s Strengths | 100 Example Statements to Swipe for your IEP
Your Child’s Strengths Sometimes we get so wrapped up in getting our kids’ needs met, we forget to address
Want Better IEP Meetings?
Why IEP Parents Should Never Agree to the “Let’s just Wait and See.”
Let’s Just Wait and See. I’d be willing to be my house and my car that 99% of all
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What is RTI in School? What does it mean? RTI vs. MTSS
RTI Response to Intervention | MTSS What is RTI at school? Who determines what RTI looks like for a kid? Can
Want Better IEP Meetings?
Your IEP Meeting | What to Bring | What to Expect
What to Expect at an IEP Meeting My first IEP meeting did not go well. Well, wait. Kevin has been
Don’t IEP Alone
Present Levels | PLOP | PLAAFP | The Most Important Section of the IEP-Find out Why!
IEP Present Levels Ask almost any Special Education Advocate, and they’ll tell you that Present Levels is the most
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What are IEP Related Services in Special Education | Definition | Eligibility
What are Related Services? According to IDEA, these are the related services in Special Education. audiology counseling services early identification
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How to Get Started with an IEP For Your Child.
Getting Started in the World of IEPs IEP stands for Individual Education Plan. It is just what it says. Children
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When should I receive a Draft Copy of the IEP or Evaluations?
Draft IEP Timelines “Well, Mrs. Lightner, we are not going to be making any changes to this IEP today.” Oh
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How to Build a Meaningful IEP for Autism | Goals | Sample
IEP for Autism For almost 10 years, readers have been asking me questions about an IEP and autism. It’s quite
Don’t IEP Alone
Special Education Timelines | When Should the School Respond to IEP Requests or Evals?
IEP Timelines How long does a school have to: respond to IEP email? schedule an IEP meeting? evaluate my child?
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What can I ask for on my child’s IEP? And how do I get my team to agree?
What to Ask for on your IEP “I don’t know what to ask for on my IEP!” That question
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Parent-Teacher Conferences | What to Ask | Special Education | Distance Learning
Parent-Teacher Conference Like other areas of our life, Parent-Teacher conferences can look different for a child with an IEP. A
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IEP Data Tracking | IEP Progress Monitoring, for Parents | Free IEP Goal Tracker
IEP Data Tracking IEP data tracking and progress monitoring in special education is one of the most important things about
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What is an IEP?
IEP For as much time as I spending talking and teaching parents about IEPs, I don’t think I’ve
Want Better IEP Meetings?
What to Wear to a Parent Teacher Conference or IEP Meeting
Does it matter what you wear to an IEP meeting? Yes. “I have an IEP meeting tomorrow, should I dress
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IEP Laws and Regulations for all 50 States | Spreadsheet with Links
IDEA: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Several years ago, I was at a fundraiser. It was for an agency that
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The Special Education Placement Decision Making Process, explained.
Special Education Placement Not only is IEP placement one of the most debated topics among parents, it’s also one
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How and When to Write to your IEP Team | IEP Letter Templates | 504
How to Write a Letter to School You will definitely want to bookmark or pin this post. I have often
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Special Education Advocate | How to Find and Hire One Near You | What We Do.
IEP Special Education Advocate “$2000?!?!” my husband exclaimed. “Do we really need this for him?” “Become an IEP/Special Education Advocate!”
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Yes! Parental Consent is Required to Change an IEP.
Can an IEP be changed without parental consent? For the purposes of this post, it assumes that you (parent) already
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IEP Stands for…35 Most Common Special Education Acronyms
Special Education Acronyms and Terms When I first started this journey, I swore that I wouldn’t do this! I
Don’t IEP Alone
How to Understand your Child’s IEP Evaluations | Common IEP Assessments | IEP Eligibility
Interpreting IEP Evaluations For me, both as a Special Education Advocate and a Parent, I find the hardest part of
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How to get an IEP for your Child, explained by a Special Education Advocate.
How to get an IEP. Gather your thoughts about your child and their struggles at school. Decide if meeting with
Don’t IEP Alone
IEP Testing and Evaluations: What Parents Should Know | Timelines | Initial Evals
IEP Evaluations Different variations of questions come up about IEP evaluations all the time. Parents are unclear about timelines, what