IEP and IEP Meetings: Everything a Mom should know.

The IEP and IEP Meeting.

Ok, let’s do this. Let’s get you ready for your child’s meeting. I have so many posts about the various components of the IEP process and meetings, I thought it was time to put them in a chronological order.

Here is my first bit of advice. If your meeting is today, tomorrow, or within 48 hours or so, go away. No seriously. The amount of information here will likely overwhelm you, and could possibly decrease your confidence instead of increasing it. Actually, this is meant to be read when you don’t have a meeting coming within the next few days. Proper participation in the process requires time and dedication. It certainly is a knowledge base I wish I didn’t have to have, but oh well. Gotta play the cards you’re dealt.

If you are here and have a meeting soon, read this instead: Last Minute IEP Meeting Advice and Read this before you go to your first IEP meeting. All of it.

But, please come back when you have more time.

Before we get started-

Please don’t let this overwhelm you. Pin them, bookmark them, do it in phases. Chunk it down, like we would for our kids!

This post goes on the assumption that you already have an IEP. If you are still trying to get one, read this: How to get an IEP.

If you need to request a meeting or evaluations, here is what you need:

• 25+ letter templates for special education~requesting evaluations, IEP meetings, records, etc.

What Parents Should be doing all the time.

As I stated above, parents need to be engaged in the process all year-round.  There are certain things that a parent should be doing to maximize their value and input on the team. I have those things listed here. You also should have a system set up to organize your paperwork efficiently.

• 5 Things Every Parent Must Do in the IEP process.
• IEP organization: the best way to organize IEP files and paperwork!
• 3 Rules for Effective Communication with your IEP Team.

What Parents Need to Know before a Meeting

Items to consider as you start the process.

• When should your child participate in their own IEP?
• Don’t let this be you! 10 ways to avoid IEP meeting negativity.
• 6 IEP meeting hurdles that most parents stumble over.
• IEP Meetings-The Secret that will have you Stop Stressing over them. Yes, really.
• What you should know about who should attend an IEP meeting.

Again, this goes on the assumption that your child already has been evaluated. Depending on your state, evaluations are required every 2-3 years. Above, in the “5 Things” post, you will read ways that you can maximize your input in the evaluation process.

Here is what parents need to know about evaluations.

• 20 Common Parent Questions about IEP Evaluations, Re-evals, IEEs.

Once you’ve passed the evaluations portion, your meeting will be happening soon. You need to prepare your Parent Concerns Letter.

• How To Write the Best-Ever Parent Concerns Letter for your IEP (incl. Parent Letter of Attachment)

This should be submitted prior to the meeting. Maybe you’re thinking, “Wait, but I have some issues that I need further explanation on.” No problem, here are some common issues that come up. Read the article(s) that pertain to your situation, and use them as a guide to writing your letter.

Common Concerns

• {Transportation and your IEP} What Parents Need to Know.
• Disability Classification on the IEP: Does it matter which box is checked?
• IEP Placements for Special Education Students~What Parents Need to know.
• How to get a 1:1 Aide/Para on your child’s IEP.
• Dear School: STOP calling me to come pick up my kid!
• Toileting/Potty Training and your IEP: How to add it + sample protocols.
• Goals, grades and your IEP. Items for parents to consider.
• {Seclusion and Restraint} What IEP parents need to know.
• Assistive Technology and your IEP: What parents need to know.
• Do IEP/504 Accommodations apply to extra-curricular activities?
• Do I have to tell the IEP team about my child’s medication?
• What are the special factors to consider in the IEP?
• {LRE~Least Restrictive Environment} What IEP Parents Need to Know.
• Homework and your IEP~A guide for parents.
• Can my child “walk” with graduating class even though she is not graduating?
• 10 Tips to Prevent your Child’s Recess from being Taken Away.
• What parents should know about ESY and their IEP.

Ideas to Bring to the Meeting or include in Parent Concerns Letter

If you are having trouble defining what it is your child needs, I have dozens of lists. Most of them can be found in the two links below, but there’s also a search bar at the top of the blog if you need more ideas.

• The Ultimate IEP Goal Bank~1000s of Measurable IEP Goals.
• Essential List of 500+ Accommodations and Strategies for your IEP or 504.

Transition Plans (including preschool transition)

• IEP Transition: How to make it successful for your Adolescent and Young Adult.
• There are no IEPs in college. {Must-read tips from a mom who’s been there.}
• 5 Rock-Solid Tips for Parents: Special Ed Preschool to Kindergarten Transition.

If Discipline and Behavior have been an issue

• A Parents’ Guide to FBAs, Behaviors, Behavior Plans and more.
• You might want to add this to your child’s IEP. It could prevent suspensions.
• IEP Manifestation Determination Hearing: What to Expect, How to Prepare for One, for parents.
• What to do when your child is suspended from school {with or without an IEP/504}.

Rehearsing for the Meeting

I always recommend that parents rehearse portions of what they are going to say in their head. Particularly if you get nervous at the meetings or this is out of your comfort zone for you, it can help. I put the article there about gaslighting more as an FYI, just so that you are aware that it can happen. Don’t let it rattle you. If you learn about the issues, you can better prepare your part of the discussion and not be caught off guard without a response.

• Should I receive a copy of the IEP before the meeting?
• What to do when the school says ‘we don’t do that here’ {when you’ve asked for something on the IEP}
• Are you being gaslighted at IEP meetings?

The day before a Meeting

Only a few things to worry about the day before. I have them listed in the articles below.

• {Free} IEP Meeting Checklist and Essentials for your IEP meeting.
• What to wear to an IEP meeting. Because, yes, it matters.

After the Meeting

Yes, you can breathe a sigh of relief when the meeting is over. But you are not done! There are still more letters/emails to write and ask for a PWN. Then, even if you agree with the team, you need to be aware of what to do if it is not being followed.

• After the IEP meeting~what you need to do, what to expect.
• PWN: The little known game-changer in the IEP process. {Learn it, use it.}
• You can purchase a $1.99 webinar to better understand the PWN.
• 12 steps to take when your school is not following the IEP.

We don’t agree, now what?

• Should I sign an IEP I don’t agree with?
• I just want to see all my child’s IEP records and files.
• {IEP/Special Education Mediation} What Parents Need to Know.
• Should I file for Due Process? {items for IEP parents to consider}
• What IEP parents need to know about Pendency/Stay Put.
• Should you represent yourself in Due Process? {no lawyer?!?}
• 5 IEP Complaint Options for Parents.

And there you go. Is that everything? Probably not. But, don’t accuse me of false advertising. There’s only so much information you can put in one blog post. After all, even Wrightslaw has dozens of books on the topic. Depending on your situation, we could probably delve deeper into a lot of other topics. But, this should be enough for you to gain more confidence and be a better advocate for your child than you were before reading. You can always join our Facebook group to ask your specific questions.