Navigating an Individualized Education Program (IEP) meeting for your child is no small task. It can be stressful and overwhelming, especially if you're unsure what to expect or how to get the most out of the meeting.

But with some preparation and knowledge, parents can go into these meetings feeling confident. This blog post will provide ten tips for parents preparing for an upcoming IEP meeting to ensure their child gets the support they need.

What Is An IEP?

Before jumping into the tips, it's good to understand what an IEP is and why it's so important. An Individualized Education Program (IEP) is a legal document that outlines the educational goals and services for children with disabilities who are eligible for special education services.

The purpose of the IEP meeting is to create the plan that the child's school will follow. The IEP should be tailored to a student's individual needs and can include IEP goals, services, and accommodations. By the end of the meeting, everyone on the IEP team should know what steps to follow.

10 IEP Meeting Tips For Parents

Tip #1 - Go To The Meetings

This sounds simple, but when parents do not attend a meeting, the IEP team will make vital decisions about your child's education without you and, more importantly, without your home observations and intimate knowledge of your child's needs.

Attending all the IEP meetings ensures that your child's needs are addressed and that they get the support they need to thrive.

Tip #2 - Ask For More Time

IEP meetings are essential to ensure your child gets all the support they need, and it can take a lot of time to cover everything. 15-30 minutes is just not acceptable to plan for your child's future.

Don't be afraid to ask for more time!

You can accept the school's first meeting offer but request they extend it. If they cannot extend it, book a second meeting before the first one even takes place. That way, they can't argue against it.

Tip #3 - Do Your Research

Unfortunately, many parents have expressed the need for more explanation and details about the services and accommodations available. To combat this, take some time ahead of the meeting to do your own research.

Doing the research beforehand will give you a clear understanding of the different options, enabling you to attend the meeting ready to make informed decisions.

Tip #4 - Have a List Of Questions & Concerns Prepared Ahead Of Time

One disadvantage of the schools is that they don't see your child in their home environment. You may have additional information to help the IEP team make better decisions for your child.

To do this, take the time to write down all your questions and concerns beforehand. This will help you remember everything you want to discuss and give the IEP team the necessary information to create the best plan for your child.

Tip #5 - Bring A Treat

It sounds odd, but many teachers give up lunch to be in the IEP meetings. While this is generous, it can also make them tired and less engaged. So, bring a treat with you to each meeting!

I had a friend take a pizza with her to each meeting. This enabled everyone in the meeting to remain energized, remove the frustration of missing a meal, and show the staff that the parents were there for their child and on the same team as the faculty and teachers.

Tip #6 - Take Notes During The Meeting

At these IEP meetings, there will be a lot of information shared. Taking notes during the meeting will help keep everything organized and ensure you can review all the information afterward.

Tip #7 - Speak Up & Make Your Voice Heard

It is important to remember that you are a part of the IEP team. This isn't just about the educators and therapists; it's about you as a parent too. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask them during the meeting. This will ensure that you get all your questions answered and everyone is on the same page at the end of the meeting.

As the parent, you can also disagree with the school staff. Just express your thoughts and back them up with evidence of your child's needs to get the best feedback and options for your child.

Tip #8 - Bring A Special Education Advocate

An advocate is an essential asset for any IEP meeting and can help you get the most out of the meeting. Their knowledge of special education laws, information about available resources, and ability to provide a neutral perspective can be invaluable in helping ensure that your child gets the support they need.

Effective advocates can also help you stay focused, take notes, and ensure that all your questions get answered, as sometimes IEP meetings can get overwhelming.

Tip #9 - Bring A Friend or Family Member

You can also bring a friend or family member. Having that moral support there for you will be invaluable. These meetings can be mentally taxing, so having a friend there to help ground and comfort you can make all the difference.

Your friend or family member can also provide insight into what they see with your child outside of the school environment, which is also valuable for the IEP team.

Tip #10 - Follow Up After The Meeting

For an IEP plan to work effectively, there must be open communication between every IEP team member, the school, and the teachers, as you are all working on this together. Start by following up after the meeting, whether reviewing your notes, tracking your child's progress, or emailing your child's teacher to ask questions you may have.

Afterward, keep the communication going. Doing this will help ensure your child receives the best support possible and identify if your child's individualized education plan needs to be changed.

Make sure you have the contact information for the IEP team members before you leave the meeting so you can continue the dialogue as needed.

Who Are IEP Plans For?

IEP plans are unique and tailored to meet a student's individual needs with difficulty learning in a traditional classroom setting due to a disability. This can include kids with;

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Anxiety
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Hearing Impairment
Learning Disabilities
Speech Impairment
Tourettes Syndrome
Visual Impairment

These are not all the disabilities that qualify for an IEP, but they are some of the most common ones. No matter what type of disability (or superpower) your child has, creating an IEP plan can help them get the support and accommodations to succeed in school.

Who Is Involved In The IEP Plan?

Many individuals may be involved in the IEP plan, including:

the parents;
school administrators or representatives;
special education teacher;
general education teacher;
school psychologist;
social worker;
occupational therapist;
specialist;
and any other professional required.

Each individual has a unique role in the IEP process and can help ensure your child receives the best services and support they need.

How Often Do You Need To Have IEP Meetings?

At the first IEP meeting, the IEP members will gather information about your child to create suitable education plans. The timing of the next IEP meeting will largely depend on how your child is doing. You can also make a meeting request if you have questions or concerns.

Once you have an effective IEP established, you will likely have annual IEP meetings where the team can discuss your child's strengths, weaknesses, and overall progress so that you can set new goals.

You may also need more than one throughout the school year. Every IEP is different, so how many meetings you require will also differ.

Final Thoughts

Attending an IEP meeting can be daunting for parents, especially for the first time. But with the proper preparation and information, you can ensure your child gets the support they need to succeed in school.

By following these tips, you can attend your child's IEP meeting feeling confident and empowered to get the most out of each meeting and get the best for your child.

IEP Meeting Tips For Parents

What Is An IEP?