How Can Parents Prepare for an IEP Meeting? (Part 3)

Part 3: We’re talking now about, “After the IEP meeting, how can you stay on top of your child’s IEP and goals?” What if you don’t think your child’s IEP is being followed? After the IEP is written, can you just breathe easy? Plus a whole lot more important information you should know about.

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If your child is part of the special education system, you know that at some point during the year, you’re going to have to attend an IEP meeting on behalf of your child.

Why then is it that every year I, like many of you, feel overwhelmed when the time approaches for my child’s IEP meeting? I always feel like I am reacting versus being proactive! I wanted and needed help. I figured it might be helpful and valuable for ALL OF YOU, too, so I reached out to Amanda Morin.

Amanda is an author (The Everything Parent’s Guide to Special Education), and she is also the in-house expert for Understood.org, a former early childhood educator and parent advocate.

In case you missed Part 1 of our interview with Amanda, you may want to go back and have a listen to Part 1. We discussed information regarding “How can parents prepare for an IEP meeting?”

What does being prepared actually mean or even look like? Amanda also shares tips on ways to organize your child’s IEP binder (yes, you will need a binder).

In Part 2 (click to listen), we talked about actually attending an IEP meeting and what types of questions we should be asking in the IEP meeting?

We discuss the “the big debate” which is: To bring or not to bring cookies to the IEP meeting?

Biggest Takeaways You Don’t Want to Miss:

How can you stay on top of your child’s IEP?

What if you don’t think the IEP is working or isn’t being followed?

Walking through the process: You just received the IEP package inviting you to the IEP meeting at the end of this month, what should you do (first steps…even if you’re a pro)?

A quick bonus for listening:

You’ll want to check out Amanda’s tips on organizing your child’s IEP Binder. (watch the video, it will be worth it.)

Links mentioned in this episode:

• >> RISE Act Helps Ease Transition to College
  >> Self Advocacy Worksheet for child attending IEP meeting
  >> Present Level of performance
  >> IEP Binder Checklist
  >> Know your Rights
• >> Special Issue on Positive Behavior Support in Family Routines

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More IEP Help

• Requests Prior to IEP Meetings: Eval Reports and Draft IEPs
• Three Tips for Highlighting and Color-Coding Your Child’s Draft IEP
• Whether it’s Your First IEP or You’re a Pro: 10 things to Cover at the Meeting
• The Politics of Special Education: The Information You Need Right Now
• Big Picture of Parent Participation in an IEP Meeting
• Beyond the IEP Team: 6 Tips for Parent Participation at School
• Should My Child Attend the IEP Meeting?
• Calm Your Nerves – Know What To Expect At An IEP Meeting