Are you a parent of a child with a learning disability? The deck is
stacked against you for achieving a quality, special education IEP.
Learn how to get the best possible program for your child.
What is an IEP ? The special education IEP (Individualized
Education Program) process was created by the Federal law called IDEA
(Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) to ensure that students
with learning disabilities would receive an appropriate education. The
IEP process can be confusing, stressful, and sometimes terrifying to
parents. The process comes to a head at the IEP meeting, so this is
often the most stressful part of the IEP process.
Why is this process so difficult for parents? Through a series of 3
articles, we'll look at the IEP process, why the deck is stacked
against parents, steps to take to even the odds, the IEP success method
to follow for an effective IEP meeting, and how to prepare for IEP 911.
What are the IEP Process Steps? Identify that a problem exists and
it cannot be solved Educate yourself about the IEP process Assess and
test the student Analyze the test results Prepare for the meeting / get
and give input in advance Meet to review information and create (or
deny) an IEP Evaluate the plan and alternatives Execute the plan or
alternative Negotiate changes Monitor progress Manage transitions Repeat
the process, at least annually
The IEP - Why are Parents at a disadvantage? 1. You are usually outnumbered.
2. The other attendees are speaking a language that is difficult for you to understand-educationese, legalese, and medicalese.
3. Your child is one of many students. This is their job, but your child. This sets you up for emotional reactions.
4. Because you are emotionally involved, it is harder to be objective. You feel you have more to lose; it's easy to become defensive or lose your temper.
5. The people sitting across from you are people you learned to respect, obey, and / or fear as a child. Principals, medical people, teachers. You may not see yourself as an equal.
6. You are asking for something. It is implied that anything you ask for will take away from another student.
7. Some of these people attend dozens of IEP meetings every month. You may go to one or two a year. They have experience on their side.
8. The school personnel earn a salary while they attend these meetings. You may give up some salary to attend.
9. The school district has an attorney. You may know of an attorney!
10. You may not be sure what is "wrong" with your child.
11. You have no way of judging if the school's recommendations will help your child or not.
12. If your child attends the meeting, hearing certain things may upset your child, then you.
13. If the school rejects the IEP, you may feel as if you have just lost your lifeline.
14. If you have argued before, threatened legal action, complained about an IEP and on and on, the relationship inside the room might have moved over to confrontational or adversarial. The above are true even if you are in a cooperative, collaborative meeting and all working together. You can continue the list from here if you have moved over to an adversarial meeting!
2. The other attendees are speaking a language that is difficult for you to understand-educationese, legalese, and medicalese.
3. Your child is one of many students. This is their job, but your child. This sets you up for emotional reactions.
4. Because you are emotionally involved, it is harder to be objective. You feel you have more to lose; it's easy to become defensive or lose your temper.
5. The people sitting across from you are people you learned to respect, obey, and / or fear as a child. Principals, medical people, teachers. You may not see yourself as an equal.
6. You are asking for something. It is implied that anything you ask for will take away from another student.
7. Some of these people attend dozens of IEP meetings every month. You may go to one or two a year. They have experience on their side.
8. The school personnel earn a salary while they attend these meetings. You may give up some salary to attend.
9. The school district has an attorney. You may know of an attorney!
10. You may not be sure what is "wrong" with your child.
11. You have no way of judging if the school's recommendations will help your child or not.
12. If your child attends the meeting, hearing certain things may upset your child, then you.
13. If the school rejects the IEP, you may feel as if you have just lost your lifeline.
14. If you have argued before, threatened legal action, complained about an IEP and on and on, the relationship inside the room might have moved over to confrontational or adversarial. The above are true even if you are in a cooperative, collaborative meeting and all working together. You can continue the list from here if you have moved over to an adversarial meeting!
How do you even the odds? 1. You need to prepare for the IEP
meeting and review test results before the meeting. 2. You need to study
negotiating before the meeting. 3. You need to be organized and to have
everything written down. 4. You need to bring a short list of topics
you want to discuss such as a particular teacher / problem, etc. 5. You
need to come ready with a written plan (See Part II and III). 6. You
need to cite or quote the evidence and experts as proof of the validity
or correctness of your plan and follow the IEP Success Method in Part
II. 7. You need to understand the legal basis for what you are asking
for. 8. If the meeting focuses on negatives, you need to redirect the
meeting by pointing out your child's strengths. Discuss successes your
child had outside of school. 9. You need to stay calm and bring someone
with you to take notes so you can focus on the meeting. 10. If
necessary, you need to bring an advocate or a relative with you who can
be less emotional but is acquainted with your child. 11. If you are
confused or not happy with the entire IEP, you need to remain calm and
state that you need time to review the IEP before you sign. 12. If there
is any area you are unsure of, you need to postpone decisions you are
unsure of until you do the research. Next: Part II will discuss the special education IEP Success Method and IEP Meeting Mottos.
Email Id:-deepa.singh@soarlogic.com
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