Finding Cooper's Voice
Parents
Teachers: General Education and Special Education
Other School Staff: Therapists, Principal, Support Staff, Etc.
Master IEP Coach or Support Person
Your Child
Parents can often feel overwhelmed when they attend an IEP meeting for a multitude of reasons. They can feel rushed, outnumbered, confused by the use of education jargon, or even sad. Here are some ideas that may help to reduce anxiety, increase participation, and facilitate the process.
start postive
I find as a parent to an autistic child that IEP meetings can often feel negative. So, I ask that we start by each saying something positive about my son. He is a person first and I want that established.
vision statement
You know your child best. What are the most important things you want your child to work on this school year? Don't be afraid to ask.
make a list
Make a list of issues you are seeing, things that are going well, and goals you have for your child. You may get frazzled and forget so a list helps.
Do your research
If this is your first IEP meeting, talk to other parents who have been through this to learn from their experiences. You may also find it useful to connect with support groups online or through social media.
take notes
IEP meetings can go very fast since there is so much to discuss. Takes notes. And if you cannot, bring someone with you who can. You will want them for later when you review.
The best outcomes for children happen when caregivers and schools are on the same page and communicating effectively.
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