IEP meeting

[MomB10]

Although I've done some research, any suggestions on things I should bring up in the meeting. O don't even know what to suggest from you guys, but anything would help. I'm so glad I found this group reading your stories and replies are really a light to me.

[gthom]

My thoughts are with you today!! Our IEP has been unofficial and still isn't working so I don't have any helpful insight in that regard. Words of encouragement.... keep up the great work mom. It's hard to see our children struggle at School and life, just remember your love covers many things for them and struggles help to build us up!!

[BVBE]

Remember to remind them your child has a right to be taught in the least restricted environment.

[Hidden]

Good luck at your meeting. Ask a lot of questions. Know your child's weaknesses and don't be afraid to address them and find out how they can help him/her. Keep on top of what is going on at all times. If my son does not have assignments written in his agenda or has assignments written but no work to go along with it I email the teacher immediately and let them know. Now they have an aide who writes in my son's agenda everyday because they know I'm going to email them if it's not there. ( My son is in 7th grade now and has had an IEP forever). Also if there is a quiz or test coming up and I don't have the info needed for him to study I email them. After a few emails they will catch on and make sure my son has what he needs because they know I'll be emailing them. I find teachers tend to take things personally so always be positive and look at it as a team working together to help your child. Best of luck.

[Pajamasam36]

You have received so much good advice I really don’t have much to add. Remind them of your child’s strengths and hat he has valid feelings. We just let our son beginnattending his IEP meetings this transition should happen when he is 14. We wish you the best!

[Love11]

Hi- you might want to check this book out at the library. Good luck😊Recommended from additude magazine.

The Complete Guide to Special Education

This comprehensive resource outlines the IEP process step-by-step, from the initial testing to annual checkups. It includes valuable worksheets, checklists, and sample forms for parents or teachers to use, making the special education process easier for everyone involved and ensuring children get the best help possible. The newly revised second edition includes up-to-date coverage on testing procedures, autism spectrum disorder, and more.

[carey957]

Hi there, I live in FL and it took us almost 3 years to get the IEP in place, but it has been a WONDERFUL tool for my son. We scheduled the meeting to include my son's teacher & the school counselor, we also had ppwk from my son's pediatrician and a child psychologist stating that my son was tested for ADHD. He has a problem with reading and grammar, and with his IEP he has more time to take tests, he has a quiet place to take them, and he gets additional assistance in having some parts of tests read to him. He goes to a fundamental public school (fundamental schools here in FL are super heavy on reading and writing)... I am proud to say, he has been on honor roll twice since the IEP. It's a long process, but hang in there! Anything you have that you think would be beneficial in helping to get the ball rolling is useful to mention or bring along (if you have it documented). . Good luck!!

[MashiSashi]

I attend IEP meetings regularly as I am a speech language pathologist. I would like to add that you should receive a copy of your IEP and any reports or examinations that have been made in the school that are referenced in the IEP. Please keep a hard copy of those with you even if they tell you that it is provided online to the teachers. In New York City for example the system that we use is only valid within our department of education, therefore if a parent moves, The file doesn’t travel with them and youd have to rely on the school faxing it to the new school. This may result in a delay of services. I don’t know what your situation is but I thought I should mention that. Something else is that you should see if your child will receive testing accommodations as he is entitled to with an IEP. Please ensure that they don’t only carry over into state testing but also in regular weekly testing sessions. It is a good idea to know what test accommodations he will be given.

[reg2018]

What to ask for on an IEP is individual for the child and his or her needs/ what they are struggling with in terms of academic and behavioral challenges in school. Some possible accommodations to ask for on an IEP are:

Sitting close to the teacher to reduce distractions

Teacher discuss the behavior privately rather than in front of the class

Seat the child next to a positive role model

Provide extra time for tests or homework assignments

Modified homework - reduce the number of homework questions without reducing the level or content ow what is being taught

Provide a quiet place to take tests

Teacher provide a positive reinforcement for the child

Have a nurse administer medication

Create a notebook so the parents and teachers can keep each other informed of the child's progress or challenges

Using a tape recorder or giving the student a copy of the class notes

Removal of recess is not used as a consequence

Teachers inform the parents of upcoming quizzes, tests, and big projects.

This last one of teachers informing the parents about upcoming quizzes, tests and projects was a big one for me. As a mother of four boys, it became too hard for me to trying to contact the teachers or check websites, because I have three boys with AD/HD. It was simpler to have the teachers contacting me than the other way around. Multiply four boys times 7 teachers.

Anyway, getting the information ahead of time allows you as a parent to help your child study when it's a test, or plan a project over a time instead of cram it into the night before.

Also ask what the school counselor is doing to help your child in terms of social skills (if there is a need there) and organizational skills. With two of my boys the school counselor went once a week to help them organize their desks and they also went to a social skills group she conducted with other students.

[anirush]

Depends on your child's behavior in school. Is he easily distracted, does he need to take tests in a quiet area away from the rest of the class? Does he sometimes lose control and need a quiet place to go during the day to pull himself together

Does he need to sit in an area of the classroom where he can get up and move around rather than being locked into his seat all day?