IEP Meeting preparation

A few things about IEP (IEP=Individualized Education Plan) meetings:

1. Know that the term "team" is a rather inaccurate way to talk about all the people who will attend the IEP meeting.  Although all the people involved are considered to be the "team" for the child, the only real team are the parents and perhaps their advocate (if they have one).  Dont assume that these people who are determining what is best for your child are as invested in your child's future as you are.  You have to feel that the decisions are the right ones for your child's development. 

2. Have a meeting with your spouse/child's parent the night before your IEP meeting.  Make sure you both know what your goals are. 

3. It is essential that the parents present a united front. Give the impression that NOTHING is more important than this meeting and your child's future. Looking at your watch and acting like you should be at work etc. is not going to help your kid- make sure they can see you are really serious about getting what is best for your child.

4.   If someone has to leave early then the educational professionals must sign a paper saying they left early and what times they were present and not present.  If they just HAVE to be at some soccer practice or other reason they simply must leave early there is paperwork involved, make them do that paperwork. 

5. If, for example,  you are discussing speech and the speech therapist cant be there then you need to reschedule.  Know that this sort of nonsense is VERY COMMON.  Whether the educational professionals are doing it on purpose or if it's just an accident is beside the point.  Key people need to be in the meeting otherwise there is no meeting.

6. Always remember that as a parent you are always the main one looking out for your child's interests, do a good job of holding others accountable.  Make friends and get support from someplace other than your child's school professionals.  Learning differences are a lot of extra work on educational professionals that already have too much to do.  For years some very slippery ways to get out of that extra work have been developed, dont let your child suffer because of this.

7. Try to record the meeting on a tape.  In most cases school professionals will agree to this (although sometimes there is a policy against it). Afterward listen to the tape to see what you missed.  Also dont turn that thing off until you are back in your car.  A lot of important information is still being exchanged after the meeting is officially over.

8. Go to everything you can that helps you look out for your child's interests.  I know this is a lot of work but there is a big payoff here.

9. As always I say pass on to others what you know.  Pay it forward- always!  Help some other family any chance you get.   

10.  I put this last because it is MOST IMPORTANT:  Do not ever go to an IEP meeting by yourself.  Ever. 

I have done this and it is a big mistake.  I have known others to do this with excuses like,

"Well his dad has to work"

Wrong. Wrong. Wrong.

You are better off taking anyone then you are going alone. 

Single parents please listen here.  Take your friend, boyfriend, girlfriend, co-worker, anyone.  Do not try to do this alone.  It's too important.  In an ideal world you wouldnt have to work so hard to protect your family's interests but in this case there are too many ways to skip around what is fair and legally required.  Please take someone to the meeting with you.