IEP Help for Parents
Hi there and welcome! You have found what has been called some of the best, most helpful, parent-friendly and practical IEP meeting advice for parents. Since my first blog post in 2011, it has really evolved. Glad you’re here!
You should bookmark this page and come back to it as a reference. The amount of information surrounding IEPs can be overwhelming, so take it one step at a time. Remember, you didn’t get to this point in just a day or two, it won’t be solved in a day or two.
I usually think of IEPs in three main categories.
Understanding the IEP Document and Process
The IEP has many sections, and I’ve dissected most of them. Understanding the specifics of each part, and how they work together with the other parts of the IEP, will help you better advocate for your child. Click the image below to see all the parts of an IEP.
Achieving Better IEP Meetings
The annual IEP meeting is the time when you get to sit with your team and discuss your child. IEP meetings tend to be a huge source of stress for many parents, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Click the image below to learn how to have better IEP Meetings.
IEP Goals, Accommodations and Interventions
The supports and services that our kids receive are the meat and potatoes of an IEP, right? But, no need to reinvent the wheel. I have literally thousands of ideas on here that you can take to your IEP team to have added to your IEP. Click the image to see them all.
If you want to dig deeper, I have more categories below.
A Day in our Shoes ~ Don’t IEP Alone
- Join our Facebook Group. (this is what you should do if you have specific questions about your child)
- Listen to the IEP Podcast
- If you would like more information about me as a blogger or my PR page.
- FTC guidelines and have disclosure policies
- I want to buy the IEP organizer I’ve been hearing so much about!
Where can I find a special education/IEP advocate?
- Start with your state’s Protection and Advocacy group. Call and ask if they have Special Education Advocates.
- Call around to other advocacy groups such as the Arc, NAMI, CF Foundation, etc. Many times these groups will be able to direct you.
- Do an internet search. Some places call them parent mentors, parent partners, parent buddies and so on.
- Some professional organizations like COPAA maintain a list on their website.
- Wrightslaw has Yellow Pages.
- Pennsylvania has Right to Education Task Forces in every county. By law, these are parent-led groups and often have knowledgeable parents leading them or participating. A good resource to find advocates.
Thanks for visiting!
Lisa Lightner
Latest posts by Lisa Lightner
- Why IEP Parents Should Never Agree to the “Let’s just Wait and See.” - January 21, 2020
- Can a Parent Refuse Special Education Services? What happens next? - January 20, 2020
- IEP School Refusal | Why it should be Number One Priority for All Schools. - January 19, 2020