IEP Meetings can be a huge source of stress for parents. I’ve compiled all kinds of useful information so that you’ll be more confident and handle your IEP meeting like a pro.
The IEP Team had a Meeting without You. Let’s be honest, not everyone fully understands the IEP process and what it entails. It’s a complicated beast and can make you scream. I’ve addressed issues similar to this in other posts, but a common theme that I encounter with parents is unrealistic expectations. What do I…
How to Stop Stressing over IEP Meetings I was waiting in the lobby. Mom pulled into the parking lot, made her way towards me. “I’m so nervous!” she whispered. “Don’t be. We got this.” And we did. My mind drifted to other parents in our Facebook group who often express similar sentiments before a meeting….
IEP Meeting Questions Over the past decade, I have attended hundreds of IEP meetings and met with hundreds of families. And, with the large Facebook group, the other admins and I have answered literally thousands of questions about IEP meetings. Sure, the I is for Individual. Still, I see a lot of commonalities. Common IEP…
What to Expect at an IEP Meeting My first IEP meeting did not go well. Well, wait. Kevin has been receiving services since he was 6 months old. So I had IFSP meetings and then preschool meetings. The whole time period, honestly, is foggy. But I definitely remember that my first IEP meeting with my…
IEP Meetings This is a really old post that I have been meaning to update for ages. I see the image show up on Pinterest and I just cringe because I know that the information that is on this site now is just so much better than it was in 2013. The old post didn’t…
Parent Request for IEP Meeting Timeline IDEA does not define this. Some state special education regulations have set a time limit on how long the school has to respond to your request. You can read more on how to request an IEP meeting and what to do if it’s an emergency below. How often can…
How to Request an IEP Meeting This one should be filed under “blog posts I never thought I’d have to do.” I never realized how much misinformation there is surrounding asking for an IEP meeting. Who can request an IEP meeting? How do you request an IEP meeting? Can a parent request an IEP meeting…
Should I bring donuts to the IEP meeting? I understand you want to be nice. You want to be the “cool parent.” But I still think bringing donuts to an IEP meeting is a bad idea. Here’s why. A reader recently asked me: I was talking with a coworker and she said I should never…
Gaslighting at School I remember the first time I was gaslighted at an IEP meeting. It probably wasn’t the first time, but it was the first time that I remember. I was working in a local district, and I had been there a lot. This particular district had a horrible reputation as far as discipline…